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Love Island star Jess White ‘infuriates’ former employers by quitting huge promotion ‘last minute’ for villa fame
Her fellow colleagues reportedly described the news as a ‘kick in the teeth’
NEW Love Island contestant Jess White has seemingly left her former employers "furious" after walking out on a huge job promotion in order to find love in the villa.
The 25-year-old brunette bombshell from Stockport was working as a retail manager for store giant Marks & Spencer.
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This was before she abruptly quit just weeks ago in order to take part in the long-running ITV2 dating show.
The Sun understands Jess did not tell her bosses why she had quit at the time and the confirmation she will be looking for love in the Majorcan sun has left a sour taste in their mouths.
It is thought the news has been particularly bitter as her employers had ‘jumped through hoops’ weeks before in order to promote her to Store Manager level - the highest forward-facing role within the company.
It would have meant that hard-working Jess would have been one of the youngest store managers across the whole of the UK.
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Despite receiving the staunch backing from many of her co-workers, those who had fought to take her to the top level have been left feeling ‘dismayed’ by her decision.
A source close to Jess told The Sun: "The news that Jess walked out on her huge promotion after a few weeks has really not gone down well with senior management.
"She had been an exemplary worker and they had championed her and pushed for her to receive this new promotion.
"One described it like a ‘kick in the teeth’ after all the hard work they had put in.
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"M&S had high hopes for Jess and even though she is only 25 - there were clear visions that she could go very far within the business."
Jess was understood to have begun her training for the top job at a store in Handforth, Cheshire having previously worked across Greater Manchester stores including Prestwich, Stockport and Manchester City Centre.
Meet Love Island contestant Jess White the travel-loving shop manager from Stockport
Another insider added to The Sun: "Those that truly know Jess understand how this is an amazing opportunity for her and one she couldn’t turn down.
"She has the complete backing of all those she has managed over her years within the business it just seems a shame that some of those at the top have clearly been less than supportive of her life-changing decision."
The fun-loving personality has admitted she is searching for a charming lad with "Turkey teeth" to whisk her off her feet on the show.
She will be strutting into the villa on Monday evening alongside 10 other singletons in a quest to find love on the Maya Jama-fronted show.
When contacted by The Sun, a spokesperson for Marks & Spencer said: “This isn't true. We have spoken to the management team and Jess's colleagues are very happy for her and looking forward to watching her on tv.”
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