With Love Island All Stars on the horizon, one of the dating show’s past finalists looks unrecognisable from his appearance five years ago.
Paul Knops found fame in 2018 after entering the villa relatively late in series four – and went on to finish runner-up having coupled up with Laura Anderson. The relationship soon soured after filming ended, however, with the now-37-year old accusing Laura of getting close to co-star Max Morley.
Paul, who joined the programme as a shorthaired bombshell now looks worlds away from that image in his new career as a model. A former carpenter, the Islander now boasts long, slicked back locks and an extremely muscular physique.
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Although Paul has shied away from the public eye in recent years, the star still has an impressive 335,000 Instagram followers – who he treats with videos of his gym workout routines.
(Image: ITV)
Back in 2020 Paul admitted he’d had a hair transplant as he “wasn’t ever happy with his hairline” with his “widow’s peak” making him paranoid about the effect it would have on his modeling work. He explained to MailOnline: “I was lucky in that I haven’t receded or lost hair, but I had a widow’s peak all my life. We all have insecurities and that was mine. During my initial consultation, the surgeon drew my new hairline on to my scalp with a pen. I instantly knew it looked right.
“Although it’s a minor procedure and one most people would say isn’t necessary, it was important to me. I have never looked back. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
(Image: @paulknopsie/instagram)
When news of Paul and Laura’s split became public knowledge, the break-up was largely attributed to work commitments. A source told the Sun at the time: “Paul went to New York for modelling work and on to Burning Man while Laura enjoyed some time back in Dubai where she lived before signing up to Love Island.
“They saw each other on Saturday night but only for a personal appearance and things weren’t the same between them so they have decided to cool off their romance.”
(Image: @paulknopsie/instagram)
Speaking to OK! Magazine a year later, meanwhile, Laura explained: “When we came out of the villa there were a lot of work-related things that we did together and then Paul went away for three weeks.” Paul went on holiday to America for Burning Man festival, at which he had no phone signal for a week.
Laura confessed she trusted him not to cheat, which she says he didn’t, but things didn’t improve. “I was hoping that when he came back we’d spend more time together and build a proper relationship out of the villa. But it didn’t happen,” she added. And discussing the actual moment they split, Laura revealed: “It was very much not an argument, for once in my life! It was very calm and mature, but of course I was upset.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
