Olivia Attwood first made her mark in 2017 when she burst onto our screens as a bold, no-nonsense contestant on Love Island season 3. Known for her quick wit, unapologetic honesty and for the now-iconic term ‘the ick’, Olivia, 34, finished third on the series with then-partner Chris Hughes, 32.
Seven years later, with a few hit documentaries, a podcast, a wedding and a radio gig under her belt, she’s swapped the villa for the ITV sofa as the latest name to join the presenting line-up on This Morning. ‘It feels like a natural progression,’ Olivia tells us, reflecting on her ever-growing broadcasting career.
After cutting her teeth on the Loose Women panel in 2023, Olivia’s now walking – or strutting – across the ITV corridor to join This Morning as a summer host. ‘Everyone’s been so welcoming,’ she beams. ‘The whole team’s been lovely, and I’m just excited to get stuck in and learn from people I really admire. They’re all just icons, from Dermot [O’Leary] to Alison [Hammond]. If I ever get to host with Alison, I’m so sure we’d just laugh for two hours straight. Probably three!’ she adds.
Olivia is joining This Morning as a summer host ©Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
But Olivia’s spot on the sofa isn’t just down to charm and chat – she’s been steadily building her presenting credentials for years. From reality TV to serious documentaries, she’s proved she’s more than just a former Islander. Her documentary series Olivia Attwood: Getting Filthy Rich tackled the taboo topic of online sex work, while Olivia Marries Her Match gave fans an intimate look at her lavish wedding to footballer Bradley Dack, 31. More recently, Olivia Attwood’s Bad Boyfriends saw her dishing out her trademark no-nonsense advice to couples on the rocks.
‘I feel most validated when something I do gets recommissioned,’ she says. ‘So many shows get commissioned and then they just don’t come back. It’s a difficult climate at the moment in telly, so to have a returning series is a really nice feeling.’
Olivia rose to fame on Love Island in 2017 ©ITV/Shutterstock
Giving fans a graphic glimpse into the world of surgery, Olivia’s show The Price Of Perfection recently returned to our screens for a second series. As well as taking fans behind-the-scenes of gruesome cosmetic surgery procedures, it also shows off the star’s dry humour. In a recent episode she revealed her own personal haircare struggles, explaining, ‘Having a fringe is not for the weak.’
As for shaking off the ‘reality star’ label, Olivia is quick to shut down any criticism. ‘I think there’s a misplaced snobbery around reality TV,’ she says. ‘At its core, it’s a social experiment. It doesn’t define anyone who takes part in it. People who are snobby about it just aren’t watching it for what it is – it can be really interesting if you allow yourself to stop taking things so seriously.’
Olivia is currently fronting documentary series The Price of Perfection ©ITV Pictures
With her summer stint on This Morning about to begin, Olivia’s got her wardrobe plans sorted and, of course, she’s doing it in her own way. ‘My style is quite versatile,’ she says. ‘I’ll dress demurely to sit on daytime TV, but when I go to Ibiza, it’s always going to be a belt skirt and tiny bikini tops,’ she laughs.
Unlike many TV stars, Olivia often styles herself for her appearances, taking the reins when it comes to her fashion. ‘If I could style myself for everything, I would,’ she admits. ‘I do most of my telly and red carpet looks myself. For the bigger shoots, I bring in help because there just aren’t enough hours in the day, but I genuinely love putting looks together and I know what works for me.’
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And naturally, it wouldn’t be a chat with Olivia Attwood if she didn’t mention her icks. But this time, we’re focusing on fashion instead of dating, and the 5ft 11 presenter doesn’t hold back. ‘Trousers that aren’t long enough drive me mad,’ she says. ‘Like, if they’re just floating above the ankle and meant to be full length? No. And don’t even get me started on toes hanging over the front of heels…’
With her signature sass and a strong work ethic, Olivia is more than ready to take on more daytime TV, bringing an injection of glam, humour and personality to the famous sofa. And if she gets her wish and a pairing with Alison Hammond, the sky’s the limit.
Olivia Attwood hosted eBay Live, bringing pre-loved fashion to life with standout style moments, live shopping and behind-the-scenes stories.