CAN WE PULL YOU FOR A CHAT?

THE OG LOVE ISLAND WINNER IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER

Jess Hayes, 29, shot to fame when she won the first-ever series of Love Island in 2015. After a speedy split from her co-star Max Morley just 40 days after the final, we’ve seen her navigate motherhood, a miscarriage, break-ups and relationships in the public eye. But, as she tells heat, she’s now living her best life…

WILL YOU BE WATCHING THE NEW SERIES OF LOVE ISLAND?

Yes, definitely. Love Island is my guilty pleasure. Luckily, it’s on after my three-year-old son Presley goes to bed, which means that I can sit down with a glass of wine and fully enjoy it.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THIS YEAR’S CONTESTANTS?

Just be yourself. The public didn’t really like me at first, but when they saw that I was just being my natural self, they started to warm to me.

YOU AND MAX MORLEY DIDN’T LAST LONG ON THE OUTSIDE WORLD. WHY WAS THAT?

Trying to make a career out of our instant fame definitely played a big part in it because we’d have crazy work schedules and would barely see each other.

ARE YOU STILL IN TOUCH WITH ANYONE FROM SERIES ONE?

Hannah Elizabeth and

Cally Jane Beech. It’s crazy to think that we’ve all got children now.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE MOTHERHOOD HAS CHANGED YOU?

It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done. Co-parenting can be difficult, but I’m so proud that Presley has a good relationship with his dad, Dan Lawry.

WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO HAVING MORE CHILDREN?

I’ve always wanted a big family, but Presley has all my attention for now because he’s at a tricky stage. My partner’s got a little girl who’s eight, so I’ve taken on the role of stepmum, too.

THIS YEAR HAS SEEN YOU EMBR ACE FITNESS. WHAT MOTIVATED THAT?

After my miscarriage [Jess and Dan lost a baby boy, Teddy, in 2020] and my break-up [with Dan], I realised I was a shell of my former self. I wanted to get myself healthy, both physically and mentally, for myself and my son. I work with a personal trainer to help with the fitness side, and I use Muscle Food to keep my diet in check. It’s nice being able to reach for yummy things in my fridge, but knowing that they’re healthy.

DO YOU FEEL MORE CONFIDENT IN YOURSELF NOW?

There was a time when I wouldn’t go on holiday because I felt self-conscious in a bikini, but now lockdown

‘I’ve taken on the role of stepmum’

is over, I can’t wait to go abroad. My body may not be exactly how I want it, but that doesn’t matter to me anymore. ■