Lucie Donlan asked out Luke Mabbott as soon as he was single – insisting ‘you’ve got to go for what you want’ when it comes to finding The One.
The Love Island star, 22, admitted she messaged Luke, 25, directly after his split from Demi Jones, 22, having watched him on his series of the ITV2 show.
In an exclusive interview, Lucie told MailOnline she ‘fancied’ Luke the moment she saw him walk into the villa – but she’s relieved they met away from the cameras and on ‘their own terms.’
‘He’s perfectly my type’: Lucie Donlan asked out Luke Mabbott as soon as he was single – insisting ‘you’ve got to go for what you want’ when it comes to finding The One
Lucie, who’s stripped down to her underwear for the launch of Ann Summers collection Knickerbox Planet, said: ‘I fancied him when I first saw him walk into the villa. I saw him and was like ‘wow, he’s perfectly my type.’
‘I watched him the whole time he was on the show and I just thought he was perfect. He was such a lovely gentleman as well.
‘When I saw he was single I messaged him. I saw he was single and I just thought ‘I’ve got to shoot my shot’ – you’ve got to go for what you want.
‘The day we first met we just knew it was meant to be which is really crazy when you meet someone at first. He brings out the best in me because I haven’t stopped smiling since we met.’
‘We just knew it was meant to be’: The Love Island star, 22, admitted she messaged Luke, 25, directly after his split from Demi Jones, 22, having watched him on his series of the ITV2 show
Lucie found fame on 2019’s Love Island while Luke appeared on the winter series in 2020 and finished third place with ex Demi.
The pair split in May – and Lucie was reportedly dating Luke the following month, with them going official on social media in July.
Lucie said: ‘The best thing to come out of 2020 was meeting Luke and I have Love Island to thank for that.
‘Even though we didn’t meet on the show, we have met from the show – we would have never met each other.
‘I am glad we weren’t on the same series, it has been so natural with Luke, we have been through the same experience but it’s much better we met outside the villa on our own terms. It’s been a really nice and peaceful way of doing things.’
‘I watched him the whole time’: Lucie told MailOnline she ‘fancied’ Luke the moment she saw him walk into the villa but she’s relieved they met away from the cameras
‘It has been so natural’: Lucie said meeting Luke was the best thing to come out of 2020 and she thanks Love Island for their relationship
Lucie had no reservations stripping off for lingerie brand Ann Summers as she feels ‘proud’ of her toned body following years of suffering from insecurities as a teenager.
Before going into the villa, Lucie lost two stone, going from a size 12 to a six – but she gained weight again while filming the show.
Now, after discovering she’s gluten intolerant, Lucie is able to maintain a healthy physique – and insists her new diet is the reason behind her slimmed down figure.
She said: ‘I absolutely loved the shoot because when I was a bit younger I was always conscious of my body.
Fitness transformation: Before going into the villa in 2019, Lucie lost two stone, going from a size 12 to a six – but she gained weight again while filming the show
‘I have really worked on my fitness so I’m proud of my body and I love to show it off because I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.
‘Fitness has always been a big part of my life. I got into CrossFit when I was about 16 because when I was younger I did struggle with body confidence. I was conscious of my arms and I kept them covered a lot.
‘I would never have dreamed of being here now when I was younger. Wearing lingerie makes me feel so sexy and proud of everything I’ve worked for.
‘In the villa I found out I’m gluten intolerant. A lot of people say I look like I’ve lost a lot of weight or I look leaner but it’s actually because I am gluten intolerant and I have taken that out of my diet. I feel so much more fit and healthy now I have gluten free food.’
Gorgeous: Now, after discovering she’s gluten intolerant, Lucie is able to maintain a healthy physique – and insists her new diet is the reason behind her slimmed down figure
Lucie also had the support of boyfriend Luke on set while shooting for the brand’s new KBX collection, which offers a range of sustainable styles – from the packaging to materials used.
She said: ‘I don’t get nervous and when I shot this lingerie Luke was there on the day and was really supportive. He was in his element!
‘The shoot was incredible, it was at a beach hut and I wore willies with the lingerie and fluffy cardigans.
On working with Ann Summers, Lucie said: ‘I love the message behind the whole range and it really agrees with my lifestyle, that’s why I love working with them. It benefits the world and the environment.
‘I love trying to help the environment and encourage people and the younger generation to choose good options going forward.’
- Lucie Donlan fronts Ann Summers new KBX Planet Collection. Available from 4th January
In action: Lucie was supported on set of her Ann Summers shoot by boyfriend Luke, who she says was ‘in his element’ as she posed for the cameras in a range of lingerie