Aidan Murphy’s SECRET Reality TV Past REVEALED! Love Island Star Was Reportedly THIS CLOSE to a Very Different Show
Love Island star Aidan Murphy has lifted the lid on a surprising near-miss that could have completely rewritten his reality TV journey. The 2026 series contestant, who captured hearts alongside villa partner Priya Jaswal before narrowly missing out on a place in the final, has revealed he was previously offered a spot on another major dating show—Celebs Go Dating.
Following his return to the UK, Aidan confirmed the unexpected twist during an appearance on Joe Baggs’ Not My Bagg podcast alongside his brother Kavan. When asked about a recent story detailing an approach from the E4 series, Aidan responded with a teasing “Wow, where did I say this?”
Podcast host Joe pressed further, asking whether Aidan had been lined up for last year’s series, which featured fellow Love Island alum Olivia Hawkins, singer Kerry Katona, and actress Donna Preston. “Out of those three, who would you have gone for?” Joe quizzed.
Aidan quickly clarified the timeline: “No, this was before that! I know who I was meant to be set up with. Do you remember Gabby?” He was referring to Gabby Allen, the 34-year-old Love Island veteran who first rose to fame in 2017 and later won Love Island: All Stars with Casey O’Gorman. Gabby appeared on Celebs Go Dating in May after filming the previous year.
“That series where Gabby was on there, they was going to set me up with Gabby,” Aidan explained.
When Joe asked why he ultimately walked away from the opportunity, Aidan’s answer was straightforward and decisive: “Um, I chose Love Island!” His brother Kavan offered a more candid take, suggesting Aidan “s**t yourself a little bit.” Aidan readily agreed, describing Celebs Go Dating as “intense.”
The revelation aligns with comments Aidan made to Bristol Live before entering the Love Island villa. At the time, he admitted he had gone through an application process for another show but ultimately declined. “Funnily enough I did go through an application for another show, but I didn’t take it on. Celebs Go Dating, yeah. That was last year but I didn’t end up going through with it.
“I was very busy. It was more I was working and I just think Love Island compared to that show, it’s more sort of what I want to do.
“I want to find love, and I feel like this is going to give me a better opportunity at doing that.”
Aidan’s decision to prioritize Love Island over Celebs Go Dating proved pivotal. While the E4 series would have paired him with established names in a structured dating format, the ITV2 villa offered the high-stakes, sun-soaked environment he believed better suited his search for genuine connection. The choice delivered him national recognition, a high-profile villa romance with Priya Jaswal, and a near-finalist finish that has kept him in the spotlight long after the series ended.
In the competitive world of reality television, timing and instinct often separate household names from near-misses. Aidan Murphy’s calculated gamble on Love Island over Celebs Go Dating stands as a clear example—one that nearly took a very different path and, as he himself put it, could have been far more “intense.”
