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.
Kai Fagan and the rest of the 2023 Love Island cast lineup / Credit: ITV
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
Liam Fray says ‘yes’ to Courteeners supporting Oasis on tour amid rumoured 2027 dates
Danny Jones
Liam Fray has said that the Courteeners are ready to “answer the call” if/when it comes to supporting Oasis on their next big live tour, with rumours of dates for shows in 2027 ramping up.
The fellow Manc favourites were heavily suggested as potential support acts for the Live ’25 reunion gigs, but Cast and Richard Ashcroft were ultimately selected as the warm-ups for the world tour.
With that in mind, when asked if Courteeners would be ready to open up for Oasis on their still only hypothetical tour next year, Fray had a very quick answer:
Not to speak for the Middleton musician, but it’s a bit of a no-brainer, really.
As you can see, in a recent interview with Radio X host Johnny Vaughan promoting the indie rockers’ new single, ‘Plus One Forever’, the 41-year-old frontman made it clear that he and his bandmates would bite hands off if the other Liam and/or his brother Noel offered a slot to them.
The younger Gallagher brother definitely had plenty of fun teasing supports last time around, before making some fairly more obvious posts and then seemingly just announcing them on social media according to his own timeline.
LG does what he wants, after all.
As for the supposed ’12 nights at the Etihad Stadium’ reported recently, not to mention all the other sets across the country that would no doubt follow should they come to fruition, Fray could say little else other than simply “Yes” to the prospect.
Joking, “Well, it is from me – I don’t know if someone else has said no!”, there have been no other indications on this front, but it’s safe to say it’d be a huge booking for everyone involved and a HUGE crowd-pleaser; Liam looks to be working on one of his own, elsewhere, too…
The two lead singers have both graced the stage of the Emirates Old Trafford stadium at Lancashire County Cricket Club, as well as Heaton Park, respectively.
Liam noted that he was at Heaton Park himself for that unforgettable summer last year, and also praised Wigan’s very own Ashcroft for being “unbelievable” when he caught him at Wembley. Big shoes to fill. The question is, who would you like to see supporting Oasis on their possible tour dates in the future?
In the meantime, we’ll have to be satisfied with gearing up for the release of the highly-anticipated reunion documentary, with the title and a first trailer now revealed.
Trailer released for ‘gripping’ new ITV drama series starring Michelle Keegan
Emily Sergeant
The trailer for a new ITV drama series starring Manchester’s very-own Michelle Keegan has been released.
Already billed as being a ‘gripping’ new series that’s set to have audiences right on the edge of their seats, The Blame will dive into secrets, suspicion and systemic corruption all under the surface of this seemingly quiet town.
The six-part series – which was filmed in and around London late last summer – promises complex characters, unexpected twists, and a mystery at its core.
Produced by the acclaimed Quay Street Productions – which are part of ITV Studios – and written, developed for television, and executive produced by Megan Gallagher, The Blame sees Michelle Keegan take on the role of DCI Kenneth Walker.
A talented ensemble cast stars alongside Keegan, including well-known actors like Douglas Booth, also in a lead role, as well as Ian Hart, Nathan Mensah, Nigel Boyle, Joe Armstrong, Matilda Freeman, Gavin Spokes, Josh Bolt, and Ceallach Spellman in various supporting roles.
The series begins when the body of teenage figure skater, Sophie Madsen, is discovered, sending shockwaves through the town of Wakestead.
As DI Crane (Keegan) and DI Radley (Booth) dig deeper, what starts as a tragic death spirals into a tangled web of lies, institutional cover-ups, and moral compromise. As the clock ticks and trust fractures, Crane must navigate both a murder investigation and the treacherous politics inside her own team.
A trailer for the show has now been released showing the cast in action ahead of airing on ITV later this year.
The trailer has been released for a ‘gripping’ new ITV drama series starring Michelle Keegan / Credit: ITV
“The Blame is a brilliant new crime thriller full of surprising twists and a compelling investigation that also cleverly tackles police corruption, exploitation and misogyny as the thriller unravels,” commented ITV’s Director of Drama, Polly Hill.
“Megan is such a wonderful and clever writer, and with Michelle Keegan in the lead, this is going to be an unmissable drama and one I’m very proud to have on ITV.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th January 2023 
