NI model Orlaith McAllister was approached to be on Love Island after Big Brother stint
Big Brother star Orlaith McAllister said she was approached to appear on Love Island back when Patrick Kielty was the host.
The Belfast model took part in the sixth series of the iconic TV competition in 2005, entering via the 'Secret Garden' on day 29 before joining the main house days later.
Orlaith walked from the show on day 65, weeks before the final that was eventually won by housemate Anthony Hutton.
Read more: NI director on why he wanted to create a 'found footage' horror set in Belfast
Speaking to BoyleSports Games, official sponsors of the current series of Big Brother on Virgin Media, Orlaith revealed that she almost applied for The Apprentice and was approached for the original Celebrity Love Island.
But despite wanting to go for the ITV dating show, she said it didn’t go ahead due to her being ‘too fresh out of Big Brother’.
Orlaith said: "I went for a meeting with a production company. I think it was for Love Island, many, many years ago.
"I went for a meeting with my agent somewhere in London to talk about potentially going on the show, but I was too fresh out of Big Brother to go in.
"It was the year Fran Cosgrove went on the show. I would have jumped at the chance back then, but I was too fresh out of Big Brother. That was the only thing."
She also added that if she had the chance to go into the house one more time, she wouldn’t walk off the show - as she thinks she could have won the series.
"I am not going to be big-headed when I say this, but I would have won the show if I stayed. I think they needed a female to win the show that year.
"I suppose when I get something in my head, I just do it. I walked and I shouldn't have walked. I shouldn't have walked because there were only 10 days left," Orlaith explained.
"I let others in the house make my decision for me. I was sick of the nagging from Derek. I was sick of not being accepted as a housemate and I think I gave good TV.
"I think between me and Anthony, it would have been me."
She revealed that a TV goal of hers back in the day was to take on Lord Sugar's boardroom - a dream she hasn't yet given up on.
Orlaith added: "I was very close to applying for The Apprentice, too. That was one I really wanted to do.
"One day, I might pluck up the courage to apply and go for it.”
On the idea of heading back to reality TV, she explained: "I would say I would be very nervous. I think that I would have so much to think about in terms of my personal life.
"I loved being on TV previously, but at the same time, I'm like, ‘No.’ Because I wouldn't want to damage anything with my personal life.
"But at the same time, it’s nice to think about these things once in a while."
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our politics newsletter here.