Love Island star Jacques O’Neill has been seen back in the UK for the first time since quitting the ITV2 dating show and leaving the Mallorca villa.
The rugby league player, 23, cut a casual figure as he stepped out with his pal Ellis Longstaff at a Yorkshire shopping centre on Wednesday.
He looked stylish in beige trousers and a white T-shirt, which he teamed with a pair of black trainers.
Return: Love Island star Jacques O’Neill has been seen back in the UK for the first time since quitting the ITV2 dating show and leaving the Mallorca villa
He spent some quality time with his rugby player pal Ellis, 20, after announcing he was leaving Love Island because he felt like he wasn’t ‘being himself’ on the show.
Jacques, who was coupled up with Paige Thorne on Love Island before his dramatic exit on Tuesday’s episode, shielded his eyes with a pair of clear-rimmed glasses.
His friend Ellis put on a laidback display in black shorts and a blue T-shirt, which he paired with black sliders as he walked with his arm wrapped around Jacques’ shoulders.
There were emotional scenes on Tuesday night’s episode of Love Island after Jacques made the decision to leave the villa.
Looking good: The rugby league player, 23, cut a casual figure as he stepped out with his pal Ellis Longstaff at a Yorkshire shopping centre on Wednesday
Stylish: He looked stylish in beige trousers and a white T-shirt, which he teamed with a pair of black trainers
His decision came days after his family defended the backlash against him saying he has ADHD, which means he struggles to contain his emotions.
While Jacques shared a tearful goodbye with Paige on Tuesday, it was the rugby player’s farewell with his villa BFF Luca Bish that really got fans talking, with many declaring the bromance to be the strongest relationship in the villa.
Luca, who is coupled up with Jacques’ ex girlfriend Gemma Owen, proved the strength of his feelings when he told his pal that if Gemma wasn’t still in the villa he would have ‘walked out that door with him’.
After Jacques announced he was leaving, he and Luca went for a chat in the corner of the garden.
Pals: He spent some quality time with his rugby player pal Ellis, 20, after announcing he was leaving Love Island because he felt like he wasn’t ‘being himself’ on the show
Emotional: Jacques return comes after Tuesday night’s episode saw emotional scenes as Jacques broke the news that he was exiting the villa
Friends: Jacques and Ellis were seen looking through Jacques’ phone as they stepped out in Yorkshire
Jacques cried as he reiterated his decision to leave, with Luca also becoming emotional as he said: ‘I don’t even think I’d get this upset if Gem left.’
Tearing up, he added: ‘It isn’t going to be the same without you,’ before they hugged.
‘If Gem weren’t here, I would have walked out that door with him,’ he added in the beach hut.
‘He’s made the right decision at the end of the day, and as long as he’s happy I’m happy. He means a lot to me and I can’t wait to see him on the outside.’
Viewers rushed to Twitter after the long goodbye, with one fan declaring: ‘Their love is stronger than any couple in the villa.’
Loved ones: His decision came days after his family defended the backlash against him saying he has ADHD, which means he struggles to contain his emotions
Heartbreaking: Love Island viewers were brought to tears on Tuesday night’s episode over Jacques O’Neill leaving the villa as well as his emotional goodbye to Luca Bish
‘I was not prepared for Luca and Jacques to have the most emotional goodbye in the history of Love Island,’ added another.
‘Jacques and Luca should’ve been a couple, them crying made me cry,’ read another reaction.
One wrote: ‘Cannot believe I’m crying over Jacques, a plot twist I didn’t expect’.
Another wrote: ‘I’m crying over Jacques leaving??? ITV what have you done?’
Another said: ‘Luca and Jacques crying together is actually so wholesome,’ while another added: ‘Why am I crying over Jacques leaving?’
Pals: While he shared a tearful goodbye with Paige Thorne, it was the rugby player’s farewell with his villa BFF Luca Bish that really got fans talking
Paige was also left in floods of tears after Jacques broke the news he was leaving.
Before he went to pack his bags, Jacques pulled Paige aside and told her: ‘I want you to be my girlfriend. I want that. I’ll wait. I’ll be counting down the days until you get out.’
Gathering the islanders around the fire-pit, Jacques said: ‘Lately, I feel like I can’t be myself. I’m not going to fake it. I’m going to be leaving today.
‘I just can’t stick around and not be myself, it’s not fair to me and it’s definitely not fair to Paige. If that means removing myself from the situation and waiting for Paige, that’s what I’m going to do.’
His departure came after his family defended the backlash against him saying he has ADHD which means he struggles to contain his emotions.
Next step: Jacques also told Paige he wants her to be his girlfriend and will wait for her on the outside as he left the villa
Making the announcement on his social media, his family wrote in the caption: ‘Jacques was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 9 years old.
‘By no means is this a get out clause for his actions but it is to show that he can fundamentally struggle with his emotions at times.
‘He is an amazing person who I’m proud to call my friend/little brother.
‘All the hate thrown towards Jacques doesn’t go to him directly….It comes to his loved ones who have always supported him and not just whilst he is on Love Island.
‘Love Island, although real. Is still a show where the producers do have control and we see 45minutes out of the 1440 in 24hours. Please be kind.’
Tears: Paige was left in floods of tears after Jacques broke the news that he was leaving because he felt he wasn’t ‘being himself’
Elsewhere in Tuesday’s episode, Jacques had to be talked down from a furious showdown with rival Adam Collard after being told the bombshell was ‘slagging’ him off.
Tasha Ghouri kicked things off by telling Jacques that Adam ‘had a conversation with me and he was like, obviously I was talking about Andrew and he was like, ‘We I think actions speak louder than words”.
Jacques said: ‘Oi, I hope he said stuff like that about me, because we’ll have a bit of biff then,’ only for his ex Gemma to jump in, revealing ‘Oh he was proper slagging you off.’
‘What do you mean? What’s he saying?’ said Jacques, getting riled up.
‘Immature, I think it was. Something like that,’ the girls told him, causing the furious star to stand up, getting ready to confront Adam.
Drama: Elsewhere in Tuesday’s episode, Jacques had to be talked down from a furious showdown with rival Adam Collard after being told the bombshell was ‘slagging’ him off
Rival: The rugby player became wound up by what new bombshell Adam (pictured) had been saying about him in chats with Paige
Jacques then pulled Paige for a talk, telling her of Adam: ‘Who the f**ks he? Just another geezer who’s been on the show. He’s f**king nothing mate. Do you know what I mean?’
‘Alright and then keep that in mind,’ Paige said in a bid to calm him down. ‘You don’t need to rise to it and be like bitey with it, do you know what I mean? What does it actually change? Nothing.’
‘You know what I get like, if a boy’s gonna chat s**t behind my back, I don’t f**king have it.’ Jacques insisted. ‘If he tries to speak to me, I’ll say ‘f**k off, don’t speak to me.”
Love Island airs at 9pm weekdays and Sundays on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox.
LOVE ISLAND 2022: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Paige Thorne
Name: Paige Thorne
Age: 24
Location: Swansea
Occupation: Paramedic
Who is their type on paper? ‘In Swansea there is just no-one I can find.
‘I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!
‘I came out of a relationship and I was just so done with guys. Then I was like, ‘Ok, I’m bored now’
Indiyah Polack
Name: Indiyah Polack
Age: 23
Location: London
Occupation: Hotel waitress
Who is their type on paper? ‘It’s quite hard to date without being influenced by social media and stuff like that.
‘Love Island is a great place to get to know someone one-on-one.
‘I don’t think I have ever been out with two guys who are quite the same.’
Tasha Ghouri
Name: Tasha Ghouri
Age: 23
Location: Thirsk
Occupation: Model and dancer
Who is their type on paper? ‘My dating life has been a shambles.
‘This is an opportunity for me to find ‘the one’ and have a great summer at the same time.
‘I’m definitely ready for a relationship. I’m 23 now so I’m ready to get to know someone and travel with them.’
Gemma Owen
Name: Gemma Owen
Age: 19
Location: Chester
Occupation: International Dressage Rider and Business Owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘I am open to finding love, I’m wanting to have a really fun summer.
‘I would say I’m fun, flirty and fiery. I think I’m good at giving advice, I’m a good person to talk to, I’m very honest.
‘If I want the same guy, I’d do it but in a nice respectful way.
Andrew Le Page
Name: Andrew Le Page
Age: 27
Location: Guernsey
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Who is their type on paper? ‘When I’m with someone I’m very loyal.
‘I’m a good boyfriend as when I’m with someone I’m all for them.
‘I’m actually single for once, so I thought why not? This is the best time to give it a go.’
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
Name: Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
Age: 27
Location: Essex
Occupation: Actress
Who is their type on paper? ‘I’m quite picky and I’m not just looking for looks, I’m looking for brains!
‘I’m looking for someone with intelligence, someone who can have good chats. Nothing like cockiness!’
Deji Adeniyi
Name: Deji Adeniyi
Age: 25
Location: Bedford
Occupation: Accounts Manager
Why Love Island and why now? ‘The reason why is that my sex life is amazing but my love life is awful. I am the master of failed talking stages. My love life isn’t going the right way so one night I decided to apply for Love Island and now I’m here!’
Josh Samuel Le Grove
Name: Josh Samuel Le Grove
Age: 22
Location: Essex
Occupation: Model
Why Love Island and why now? ‘I’ve always been single. If you’re going to find someone, it’ll be in a place where everyone is single and looking for the same thing.’
Adam Collard
Name: Adam Collard
Age: 26
Location: Newcastle
Occupation: Personal trainer
Why Love Island and why now? ‘I’m going to ruffle a few feathers when I go in.’
Dami Hope
Name: Dami Hope
Age: 26
Location: Dublin
Occupation: Senior Microbiologist
Who is their type on paper? ‘I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some.
‘When I’m actually in a relationship, I think it’s a star sign thing.
‘I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. I’m really good at being in a team’.
Davide Sanclimenti
Name: Davide Sanclimenti
Age: 27
Location: Rome (lives in Manchester)
Occupation: Business owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘A lot of English girls actually love me.
‘They love to be around me and I love to be around them. I want to find my soulmate.
‘Find my person so I can actually build something in the future, grow with them, be a family. ‘
Luca Bish
Name: Luca Bish
Age: 23
Location: Brighton
Occupation: Fishmonger
Who is their type on paper? ‘I prefer to meet girls out and about. I think when you go looking for it, it’s not as easy though, it’s like you’re too desperate for it.
‘If I think you’re the one or I like you, I’ll take you out on a date but other than that, if we talk and I don’t like where it’s going – then I won’t be throwing out dates.’
Jacques O’Neill
Name: Jacques O’Neill
Age: 23
Location: Cumbria
Occupation: Rugby League Player
Who is their type on paper? ‘I think it needs to be the right person, at the right time.
‘I was saying to my mum the other day that I want a girl. And I’m now ready to settle down.’
Danica Taylor
Name: Danica Taylor
Age: 21
Location: Leicester
Occupation: Dancer
Who is their type on paper? ‘I am the type of girlfriend that I want to do so much with you – deep conversations, silly activities.
‘If you say let’s go canoeing all day even though I am quite a glam girl, I am down for it.’
Summer Botwe
Name: Summer Botwe
Age: 22
From: Hertfordshire
Occupation: Events decor business co-owner
What are you looking forward to in the Villa? I think that I’m just genuinely good vibes – very goofy, very silly. Everyone will be fun around me. I don’t really take things too seriously. I feel like I might end up bringing some drama because I do want to go full force with Dami…
Coco Lodge
Name: Coco Lodge
Age: 27
From: Surrey
Occupation: Graphic designer/ ring girl/ shot girl
How would your friends/ family describe you? They’d probably describe me as a predator. I’m super flirty! I give off big energy and boys gravitate towards me and I’m always flirty.
Billy Brown
Name: Billy Brown
Age: 23
Location: Surrey
Occupation: Roofing company director
Why Love Island and why now? ‘I’ve had two girlfriends before, I was obviously going to try and find the lucky third one!’
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