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.
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 [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.