Doctor Alex George has revealed that he went on an extreme diet and exercise regime for five months before his appearance on Love Island in 2018.
The 30-year-old is one of the most successful contestants to have appeared on the ITV2 dating show, having become a fierce campaigner for youth mental health issues over the last 12 months.
Speaking on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast, George tallked candidly about his regrets over his unhealthy obsession with body image before entering the Love Island villa three years ago.
"I restricted my diet. I removed everything apart from basic components that would make me lean and lose weight. I exercised excessively," he said.
"I cycled an hour then I was gymming for an hour, which was an unhealthy amount to exercise every day."
He continued: "I stopped seeing any of my friends because I thought 'if I see my friends or eat one chocolate bar or have a full fat cappuccino or a pint of beer that is going to set me back'. So I removed myself from all my social groups.
"Yes I looked aesthetically quite good in that time, but was I healthy? Absolutely not.
"I was a recluse. I had lost contact with my friends. I had an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise and really I went on the show and thought: 'What am I doing?' I might look good but I don't feel good."
George is now working as the government's youth mental health ambassador.
Neil Wilkes
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