Love in the air as Matt looks to Nabb girl

Love in the air as Matt looks to Nabb girl

28 July 2021

DOWNPATRICK man Matthew MacNabb is the latest hopeful to join the Love Island cast in search of love and he’s not afraid to step on a few toes while doing so.

The 26 year-old was unveiled to viewers of the smash ITV show after being teased at the beginning of the week to enter as part of the Casa Amor twist alongside five other new male entrants.

Casa Amor is a fan favourite part of the show as contestants — who are initially coupled up — are separated before being introduced to the new singletons, with Matthew being one of them.

“I don’t want to stand on anybody’s toes but I’ve got big feet, so who knows,” he said.

“The guys haven’t known the girls that long so it’s not really a huge issue. I’m sure if they have a problem they’ll approach me.”

The former student at St Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan looks to have settled in comfortably to his new surroundings and has already got his eye on a potential love interest.

“I really like Kaz [Kamwi] because she’s got a lot of energy, she’s a lot of fun and she doesn’t take herself too seriously,” he said. 

Kaz’s personality may be a reflection of Matthew’s after he revealed that he is considered a “very relaxed and laid back person”.

Matthew managed to remain civil on his first night at the famous Spanish villa and kept things low key with a friendly game of ‘Never Have I Ever’.

However, it is only a matter of time before the show brings out what his friends describe him as — very adventurous and very positive.

Matthew revealed that his main reason for going on the hit show was the adventure aspect, explaining that “it seems like a really fun thing to do”.

The local favourite recently returned home after spending 18 months abroad working in California. Since flying back to Downpatrick, Matthew co-founded the specialist marketing firm MCN.

“We started a marketing consultancy at Christmas time and it took off really quickly,” he explained.

“I originally did law as an undergraduate and I’ve worked in investment banking. I also did a Masters in business administration,” he continued.

“I came back from California without a job and started this company with some other marketing consultants.”

Whilst in California, Matthew focused heavily on improving his physique and stated on his Instagram that he was eating up to 6,000 calories a day to achieve his ideal body and compliment 

his six foot, six inches tall frame.

His social media accounts have now been taken over by his family members who apologised in a post for keeping his entrance a secret.

“Finally the news is out. Matthew has entered the Casa Amor Love Island villa. We apologise to all those we have had to deny this to; we will be on the Pretty Little Liars series next,” said the post.

Matthew has already received hundreds of well wishes from local friends and family as well as viewers of the show from all over the world.

One well wisher posted on line: “Matthew is my favourite,” whilst another added: “nice one mate, all the best. Make sure you bring a big spoon to stir the pot.”

Matthew is the third person from Northern Ireland to make an appearance on the hit television show after Belfast’s Adam Maxted and Tyrone’s Sinead Hegarty featured in previous seasons.