Love Island winner Amber says she hopes to be an inspiration to women snubbing their love rat exes
JUBILANT Amber Gill says winning Love Island has done wonders for Girl Power by inspiring women not to take back love rats.
She had a surge in popularity after snubbing her ex Michael Griffiths’ attempts to rekindle their relationship — weeks after he humiliated Amber by dumping her in favour of fellow islander Joanna Chimonides.
Speaking in her first interview since winning the ITV2 series with new partner Greg O’Shea, Geordie Amber, 21, said: “I definitely want girls to be strong and do what they want to do and don’t go back to people that hurt you.
“You don’t have to, even if it seems easier, so I’m glad I’ve inspired people — it makes me really happy.”
Meanwhile, Greg, 24, said: “I’m a big believer you only date somebody if you can see potential with them, otherwise you’re wasting your time. It’s only been a couple of weeks but it’s been great so far.”
But the Irish rugby player has already got one key person on side — Amber’s mum Vanessa Waugh.
The 47-year-old recruitment worker from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, said she knew Greg was genuine as soon as she met him with Amber’s dad Leon, 60, in the villa.
Vanessa added: “I think Greg’s absolutely lovely. When I went into the villa he was the second person to hug me. His accent is to die for. He’s welcome in our house any time.”
As well as the title, the winning couple get a cheque for £50,000.
Amber, tipped to make more than £1million in endorsements, already has 1.8million followers on Instagram, while Greg has 587,000.
They beat favourites Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury, both 20, in Monday’s final. Ovie Soko and India Reynolds come third, and Curtis Pritchard and Maura Higgins fourth.
In the final, watched by 3.63million, the contestants made declarations of love to each other as they attended a summer ball.
Amber says she is glad she did not quit after being dumped by Michael, admitting she considered walking.
The beauty therapist, who is hoping to get a career as a TV presenter, said: “There definitely was a few points where I really wanted to go.
“In the real world you don’t have to watch your ex crack on with a new person. It was hard just to watch and you feel quite lonely.
“I’m glad I stuck it out. It made me stronger and I‘ve come out better off.”
But Amber and Greg now face their toughest task staying together, given he is based in Dublin and Amber in Newcastle.
Amber said: “We are prepared to put in the work. You make it work if you want to make it work, and if don’t, you don’t. I’m not particularly worried about it.”
Greg added: “I live in Dublin and it’s a really quick fight to England so it’s a lot easier than it looks on paper.
“At the moment we’re just delighted and we’ll see how it goes.”
The fifth series of Love Island was watched by more than six million people at its peak, and it has been announced that next year the show will run for two series.
The deaths of former Love Island contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis had led to increased scrutiny on ITV about the reality show’s aftercare.
On Monday, TV watchdog Ofcom announced proposals for new rules to make sure people who take part in shows are properly looked after by broadcasters, including advising participants on steps to limit social media contact after transmission.
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