Love Island contestant Kai Fagan has revealed he used to be in the same year as Marcus Rashford at school, and has dished on what the footballer was like back in the day.
In case you somehow hadn’t heard, just less than six months after Davide and Ekin-Su stole the nation’s hearts and clinched the win, smash-hit reality competition show Love Island returned to screens for its ninth series and it’s second Winter edition last night – with brand-new host Maya Jama taking over presenting duties.
A whole new lineup of hopeful singletons have made the trip to South Africa in the look for love, and one of those single lads is Kai Fagan from Manchester.
Before heading into the villa last night, fans of the show had already learned that the 24-year-old claims to have three different degrees from three different universities, and that he works as a PE and Science teacher, but also plays semi-professional rugby for Burnage RFC.
But now, we’ve also learned that Kai went to the same school and was in the same year as Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.
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Kai revealed to The Sun that Marcus was just as “quiet” in school as he is now.
He said: “Marcus was in my class from 11 to 16 and we went to the same sixth form.
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“The school I went to was sponsored by Manchester United, [so] I had so many experiences because of that. Marcus was quiet, reserved and kept himself to himself, he’s always loved football, and he got a scholarship from [Manchester United] when he was like 11 years old, so he was always trying to be the next big thing.”
Kai added: “I often bump into people who work for [Rashford], like his PA, at the gym.”
The current Love Islander also added that his former classmate’s ongoing mission to end child food poverty and give children more access to free school meals across the UK has been “inspiring” to him as a teacher.
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“There are so many kids who are going to school that don’t have the right nutrition, that don’t have food, that don’t have anything,” Kai continued.
“There are kids going to school that don’t have uniforms, so what he’s been doing for the communities, it’s absolutely amazing.”
Before he entered the villa, Kai described himself as “chilled, caring, and very impulsive”.
“I’m single by choice,” Kai explained in his ITV Love Island cast announcement bio, “I’m looking for the right girl. I feel like I have quite high expectations. I don’t feel I should commit to someone unless I’m absolutely buzzing over them, because it’s not fair on them.”
Love Island is back on ITV2 and ITVX on Monday 19 January at 9pm.
Featured Image – Manchester United & ITV
TV & Showbiz
Wayne Rooney joins the cast of Gary Neville’s The Overlap
Danny Jones
Wayne Rooney has secured a new job just a few months on from departing as Birmingham City head coach, with the Manchester United and England legend being named as the latest member of The Overlap team.
Set to join the cast of the popular Stick to Football online series alongside the likes of former teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane, as well as the rest of the recurring panel.
Rooney is also set to feature on various other shows across The Overlap channel, including the likes of their regular fan debates and other interviews with athletes and well-known figures.
They announced the signing in true transfer window fashion as well.
As transfer expert Fabrizio Romano quips in the video, Rooney “has signed an agreement with The Overlap” and is expected to make his debut very soon
‘Wazza’ has appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports in recent weeks and has even been spotted playing some FIFA with comedy YouTuber AngryGinge as part of his pro clubs series, but hasn’t been in a steady role since being sacked as the Birmingham manager at the start of the year.
Having already appeared as a guest in one of the most popular episodes of Stick to Football and clearly sharing a strong chemistry with his old friends – as well as the likes of fellow Scouser Jamie Carragher, Jill Scott and Ian Wright – it looks to be a natural fit for the sport-based channel.
The 38-year-old revealed some pretty interesting details about his playing and managerial career last time around, not to mention some of the other offers he’s had since…
Rooney reiterated during his own interview that his primary focus is still on coaching and finding his next managerial role, but for the time being, he’ll be bringing the insight of another ex-pro to the popular YouTube channel.
Speaking on his latest move, the former striker said, “I’m excited to announce that I will be joining my good mate Gary Neville and the team at The Overlap to appear on the channel across some of their brilliant shows on YouTube and the podcast. I can’t wait to get started”.
With an episode from at least one of their series going out most weeks, you can expect to see the footballing legend back on the channel soon.
Featured Images — The Overlap/Wayne Rooney (via Instagram)
TV & Showbiz
Paddy McGuinness announces work-in-progress shows ahead of first stand-up tour in eight years
Danny Jones
Beloved British comic Paddy McGuinness is heading back out on his first live stand-up tour in eight years this year and has announced a new run of work-in-progress shows in preparation, including one right here in Greater Manchester.
McGuinness hasn’t been out on the live comedy circuit for the best part of a decade but announced his long-awaited return late last year, with the 50-year-old heading out on the road this October.
However, as he looks to get stage sharp shape ahead of his ‘Nearly There’ tour, Paddy has picked a pair of local North West venues for the WIP sets, with a trio of shows at The Met in Bury, as well as half a dozen over in Darwen, Lancashire.
Just like the tour itself, these are sure to go quickly.
The Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy star is playing nearly half a century of shows across the UK and Ireland from this fall onwards before closing out his tour in Dublin by April 2025.
His last tour, ‘Daddy McGuinness’ ran from 2015-16 and got pretty decent reviews across the board, with the focus largely revolving around his journey into parenthood, but his latest material is set to be quite the shift in tone.
Speaking ahead of the tour, the former Take Me Out and Top Gear host said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, clickbait and fake news!”
Paddy also made a bit of a stir around these parts recently after he declared Bolton as still being part of Lancashire. No likey, no lighty on that one – sorry Paddy.
But never mind all that, we’re glad to see him getting back to his roots. The Farnworth-born funny man was also recently given a permanent role on BBC Radio 2 after becoming a firm favourite amongst the listenership. He will now run the 11am-1pm slot on Sundays.
As for his tour, after his warm-up shows in Bury and Darwen, the household name will be heading to The Lowry in Salford in March next year, with other nearby shows in the likes of Blackburn and Blackpool.
Tickets for Paddy McGuinness’ work-in-progress dates go on sale Friday, 3 May at 10am.