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 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 a “challenging relationship with alcohol” over the years.

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

Speaking to MailOnline and other press ahead of his latest stay in the villa, the TV star, when asked what his dating history has been like, admitted it hasn’t gone well as he has found it difficult to go on booze-free dates to go.

“I’m not very good at dating, especially sober dating. “I found that very difficult,” he admitted.

He continued, “One of the biggest challenges when I got sober – I’ve been sober for two years now and I did that for a year in 2020 – I found sober dating quite intense, quite difficult. And if I’m honest, I haven’t really experienced relationships because I was working on myself.

The TV personality, 36, recently marked two years of sobriety after having 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 like, “You know what? I need to go on this journey and find me and take care of me” and get back to the authentic Scott.

“I’ve done that for the past few years and I’ve been open.”

Scott went on to say about how he approaches alcohol-free dating: “The world is changing now. I’m much more open to sober dating. I like good dog walks and coffee dates, so I don’t think so [dating in the villa without booze] will be a big challenge.

“But I tell you what, in series two it was a big challenge for me. I was terrified of going on a date without alcohol. I would literally run outside and try to grab glasses of wine from the tables! But I don’t feel like doing it anymore, so it just shows the journey I’ve been on.’

Scott emphasized the difference between himself then and now, admitting that previously he “didn’t know how to socialize without alcohol or how to feel comfortable without having a few drinks.”

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

However, he is now eager to enter the villa and move on to romance, despite the thought that it terrifies him.

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

When asked what his dating history has been like, the TV star admitted that it hasn’t gone well because he finds it difficult to go on booze-free dates.

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

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

Meanwhile, Scott discussed how he would feel about potentially coming face to face with ex-girlfriend Kady McDermott, who he had a romance with in series two before the pair ended things in 2017 after a huge failure.

As for how he would react, he explained, “I honestly don’t know what I would do if I saw Kady, that’s a fact! We haven’t crossed paths in five years, maybe longer. I literally haven’t seen each other, there may have been some strange message about three years ago, but I literally haven’t seen her.

“It didn’t end in the best possible way, but I just don’t know what I would be like if I saw her. And I don’t know what she would be like if she saw me, that’s the honest truth. It didn’t end well for me.’

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

When asked if he would be open to reigniting things if the spark was still there, he confessed, “I just don’t know.” You don’t understand what happens on Love Island, that place is like…

Meanwhile, Scott discussed how he would feel about potentially coming face to face with ex-girlfriend Kady McDermott. [pictured]

The pair enjoyed a romance in series two [pictured] before calling it quits in 2017 after a massive failure

“I honestly don’t know what I would do if I saw Kady, that’s a fact! We haven’t crossed paths in five years, maybe longer… It didn’t end in the best possible way.” [pictured in 2016]

‘I don’t want to sit here and say, “No chance! Are you angry, I’m over that, it’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 on that show, she’s grown, I’m a completely different person, I don’t know. I’m going to give everyone a chance.

“I don’t know if she’s going in or not, if I saw someone in there I’d probably be most concerned about seeing her in there – it’s a bit of a crazy experience seeing your ex. But at the same time I’m open to a chat.’

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

LOVE ISLAND: ALL THE STARS IN A LINE

GABBY ALLEN

AGE: 32

SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

Because it’s the trenches there! I feel like I have all my ducks in a row, it’s been 8 years since I entered the Villa. I run my businesses now and I’ve matured a lot…but I 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 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 have been on a huge journey over the past five years; I have worked on sobriety, personal growth, self-development, when I first came to 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 learned so much from my experience last time. In the Villa I was always in ‘triangles’ and what not, but I feel like I’ve matured a lot.

LUCA BIS

AGE: 25

SERIES 8 LOVE ISLAND

Why do you want to return to Love Island?

I liked it so much last time, why not? I can 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 I had completed love and found my happily ever after, but the universe had a different plan. Every time my life is at a crossroads, I somehow get the chance 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 phase of my life. The idea of ​​settling down is a serious one in my life right now. I haven’t found my true love.

Nas will enter 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?

The first time it was so much fun, 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 approaching thirty, I feel ready 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 try again, 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 through apps, so I’m looking forward to getting to know people at 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 this time I want to try it properly. My time was cut short the first time and who knows, I could be the next Sophie (Piper) and Josh (Ritchie) or Molly (Smith) and Tom (Clare).