Love Island: All Stars’ Scott Thomas admits dating while sober has been one of his ‘biggest challenges’ since quitting booze – as he reveals he’s ‘100% ready’ for a new relationship

Love Island: All Stars’ Scott Thomas has admitted that he found dating while sober one of the ‘biggest challenges’ since quitting booze.

The TV personality, 36, recently marked two years of sobriety after having had a ‘challenging relationship with alcohol’ over the years.

As he prepares for another crack at love of the ITV2 dating show, Scott opened up about his sobriety journey, his challenges with dating and how he’s ‘100% ready’ to find the one. 

Speaking to MailOnline and other press ahead of his latest stint in the villa, when asked how his dating history has been, the TV star admitted that it’s not gone well as he has found going on booze-free dates difficult. 

‘I’m not really good with dating, especially like sober dating. I found that really difficult’ he confessed.

He went on: ‘One of the biggest challenges when I went sober – I’m two years sober now and I did a year in 2020 –  I found sober dating quite intense, quite difficult. And if I’m honest, I’ve not really been through relationships because I was working on myself. 

The TV personality, 36, recently marked two years of sobriety after having had a ‘challenging relationship with alcohol’ over the years [pictured in 2019]

‘I was a bit of a notorious party boy, I had a bit of a challenging relationship with alcohol and everything else. And I was just like, “you know what? I need to go on this journey and find me and look after me” and get back to the authentic Scott.

‘I’ve kind of done that over the last couple of years and I was open’.

Speaking further about how he approaches alcohol-free dating, Scott added: ‘The world is changing now. I’m becoming a lot more open to sober dating. I love a nice dog walk and going on coffee dates, so I don’t think [dating in the villa without booze] will be much of a challenge. 

‘But I tell you what, in series two, it was a big challenge for me. I was petrified going on dates without alcohol. I would literally run out and try and grab glasses of wine off the tables! But I don’t feel like that at all anymore so it just shows the journey that I’ve been on.’

Highlighting the difference between himself then and now, Scott admitted that he previously ‘didn’t know how to socialise without alcohol or be comfortable without having a few drinks’. 

Giving a glimpse into his recent romance, Scott told how he was seeing someone on and off for 18 months, but that relationship ended six months ago. 

However, he’s now raring to get in the villa and crack on with romance, despite the thought of that terrifying him. 

On whether he’s ready to settle down in a new relationship, he said: ‘100% I’m ready. Yeah, like 100%. I think the most ready I’ve ever been which is scary for me because I never would have admitted that a few years ago.’

When asked how his dating history has been, the TV star admitted that it’s not gone well as he has found going on booze-free dates difficult

‘One of the biggest challenges when I went sober – I’m two years sober now and I did a year in 2020 – I found sober dating quite intense, quite difficult’ [pictured on Love Island with Malia Arkian in 2016]

On whether he’s ready to settle down in a new relationship, he said: ‘100% I’m ready. Yeah, like 100%. I think the most ready I’ve ever been which is scary for me because I never would have admitted that a few years ago’

Meanwhile, Scott discussed how he’d feel if he potentially came face-to-face with ex-girlfriend Kady McDermott, whom he enjoyed a romance with in series two before the pair ended things in 2017 following a huge bust-up.

Speaking about how he’d react, he explained: ‘I honestly do not know what I would do if I saw Kady, that is a fact! We have not crossed paths in five years, maybe longer. Like literally haven’t seen each other, there might have been an odd message about three years ago but literally haven’t seen her. 

‘It didn’t end in the best way possible, but I just don’t know how I would be if I saw her. And I don’t know how she’d be if she saw me, that is the honest truth. I didn’t end well.’

He added: ‘It’s like a part of your life that’s been closed off and you haven’t even revisited it. So it would be interesting and a special moment I’m sure.’

When asked if he’d be open to rekindling things if the spark was still there, he confessed: ‘I just don’t know. What happens in Love Island, you don’t understand, that place is like…

Meanwhile, Scott discussed how he’d feel if he potentially came face-to-face with ex-girlfriend Kady McDermott [pictured]

The pair enjoyed a romance with in series two [pictured] before the they ended things in 2017 following a huge bust-up

‘I honestly do not know what I would do if I saw Kady, that is a fact! We have not crossed paths in five years, maybe longer… It didn’t end in the best way possible’ [pictured in 2016]

‘I don’t want to sit here and go “No chance! are you mad, I’m over that, that’s in the past!” and then the next minute… you don’t know!’

Scott continued: ‘Me and Kady haven’t seen each other in nine years going on that show, she’s grown up, I’m a completely different person, I don’t know. I’m going to give everybody a chance.

‘I don’t know if she’s going in or not, if I was to see someone in there I would probably be the most worried about seeing her in there – it’s a bit of a mad experience seeing your ex. But at the same time, I’d be open to just having a chat.’

Love Island: All Stars returns Monday 13th January at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. 

LOVE ISLAND: ALL STARS LINE UP

GABBY ALLEN 

AGE:  32

 SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND

 Why do you want to return to Love Island?

Because it’s the trenches out there! I feel like I have all my ducks in a row, it has been 8 years since I went into the Villa. I now run my businesses and I’ve grown up a lot… but I just haven’t found ‘the one’ yet.

 KAZ CROSSLEY

AGE: 29 

 SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND

 Why do you want to return to Love Island?

The first experience I had was so amazing and also so much fun! I’m even more mature now so I’m ready to find a relationship. 

SCOTT THOMAS

AGE: 36

SERIES 2 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I’ve been on a massive journey over the last five years; I’ve been working on sobriety, personal growth, self development, when I first went into the Villa I was still a bit of a boy.

 

RONNIE VINT

AGE: 28

SERIES 11 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I learnt so much from my experience last time. In the Villa I was always in ‘triangles’ and what not, but I feel like I’ve grown up a lot.

LUCA BISH

AGE: 25

SERIES 8 LOVE ISLAND 

Why do you want to return to Love Island? 

I had such a good time last time, why not? I get to have a good time with the possibility of ending up with someone. 

MARCEL SOMERVILLE

AGE: 39

SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I thought that I’d completed love and found my happily ever after – but the universe had a different plan. Somehow every time my life’s at a crossroads, I’ve got the opportunity to do Love Island. So I thought, why not?

 

 

CURTIS PRITCHARD

AGE: 28

SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?  

I feel like I’m in a different stage in my life. The idea of settling down is a serious idea in my life right now. I haven’t found my true love.

Nas will be entering the villa almost a year after splitting from girlfriend Eva Zapico four years after they met in the villa 

NAS MAJEED

AGE: 28

SERIES 6 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

It was so much fun the first time around, waking up every day with a smile on my face – it feels like a full circle moment.

OLIVIA HAWKINS

AGE: 29

SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I’m still single and getting close to my thirties, I feel ready for it now. I’m ready to meet a nice man. People misinterpret my honesty and how real I am. 

 CATHERINE AGBAJE

AGE: 24

SERIES 10 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I want to find love again, I want to give it another shot because it works!

INDIA REYNOLDS 

AGE: 34

SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island? 

I’ve been single for two and a half years and I think it’s time to settle down. 

I don’t put any effort into dating and I don’t really like meeting people from apps so I’m looking forward to getting to know people in the Villa. 

 ELMA PAZAR

AGE: 32

SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I want to have fun and I want to give it a proper go this time. My time was cut short the first time round and who knows, I could be the next Sophie (Piper) and Josh (Ritchie) or Molly (Smith) and Tom (Clare).