THE illusion of fame, money and glamour is the reason why millions of hopefuls apply to star on Love Island every year.
But now former contestant Jake Cornish has revealed that stars of the ITV2 show are paid a paltry wage.
Speaking on the Offline podcast, Jake said: “The money is bad for Love Island, first time was £375 quid a week. You earn your money off Love Island for your brand deals.”
The 26-year-old first appeared on Love Island in 2021 and then returned for Love Island All Stars earlier this year.
It has later been claimed that Jake received a ‘villain edit’ on the show, as viewers poured over the highs and lows of his relationship with Liberty.
Having initially though he could redeem himself with a return to All Stars, the scrutiny proved too much for Jake and he so he removed himself from the process.
Speaking about this decision to leave, Jake said: “It was a big thing for me to go back in [Love Island],” he said.
“They approached me and it was another opportunity to kind of show people the real me because I was young the first time and it was a lot different.”
Indeed Jake says he’s matured since first starring on the show and is actively using his profile to pursue other interests in the public eye.
“Now I’m older and have businesses. I’ve grown up. I’ve done acting. It was kind of going in there with open arms and showing who I am, and then, when I knew it wasn’t right for me, that’s when I said, ‘Look, I can’t be here. I can’t do these force kind of conversations. I felt like I’d just grown up.”
Recently Jake made his first foray into the world of film as he has a cameo role in the British gangster film, Bermondsey Tales: Fall of the Roman Empire, starring John Hannah, Linda Robson and EastEnders star, Maisie Smith.
He also has a small role as DI Jacobs in Mr Hyde, alongside actor Adam Astill which is released next month.
So clearly Jake hasn’t done too badly from his stint on Love Island.
A spokesperson from ITV declined to comment.
Towie:
Cast members are put into four pay bands based on their popularity.
Reality veterans Bobby Norris, James ‘Diags’ Bennewith, Georgia Kousoulou, and Chloe Sims were in the top tier, which meant they commanded £450 an episode.
Others were paid £350, £250 or £90 if they were a newcomer trying to prove their worth.
Geordie Shore:
The MTV show reportedly paid cast members £1,000-a-month for their wild antics in the early days of the show.
Veteran Sophie Kasaei revealed the cast had to work other jobs to supplement their income.
She said: “When we first started the show we got absolutely nothing.
“The most we ever got was £1000 a month and we couldn’t survive on that, obviously after tax as well.
“Most of us worked at the call centre because in Newcastle there’s a lot of call centres because we can sell you the dream, we’re very friendly and warm and trustworthy.
Gogglebox:
Each household is paid the same monthly allowance of £1,500.
A show insider revealed the fee is then split amongst contributors at their own discretion.
They also get to tuck into a free takeaway of their choice twice a week to keep them fuelled during long filming sessions.
The armchair critics have to watch 12 hours of telly a week in total – which is divided into two six-hour stints.
I’m A Celebrity:
The jungle show is a jewel in ITV’s crown with a bumper budget to boot. Payments are tailored to the individual, with the greater their fame or controversy factor, the bigger the cheque.
Nigel Farage reportedly bagged £1.5m for the last series – the most in its history.
While eventual series winner Sam Thompson was a snip at £80,000. This Morning’s Josie Gibson is said to have pocketed £100k while Britney’s sister Jamie Lynn received an impressive £250k.
