The winner and runner-up on the latest series were both footballers. Why is sport such a natural fit for reality TV?
By Gavin Willacy for Playing in the Shadows
What is it about young footballers and romance-based reality shows? Both the male winner and runner-up in the series of
Love Island that concluded on Sunday were footballers. Runner-up Luke Trotman did his apprenticeship at Luton Town, while winner Finn Tapp was at neighbouring MK Dons. And they are not the only footballers who have played out their romantic liaisons in front of three million viewers on ITV2.
I have worked with young
Football League players for the last decade, helping them develop their academic skills during their apprenticeships. I was responsible for Trotman and Tapp, both of whom were local lads at their clubs. They were both relatively mature when they went full-time at their clubs at the age of 16 and they both did well in college.