A LOVE Island contestant who hails from South Essex told how he has “no regrets” about his time on the hit show and would happily do it all over again.

Jonny Mitchell, 26, a former pupil at St John’s School, in Billericay, has spoken to the Echo about the success of the ITV competition - which has catapulted him into public view, with paparazzi tracking his every move.

The show won the hearts of the nation this summer - with fans enthralled with the antics of the glamorous singletons. They coupled up with eachother in a bid to reach the final, which aired on Monday night.

Winners Amber Davies and Essex boy Kem Cetinay and opted to share the £50,000 prize. In second place was Jonny’s former flame Camilla Thurlow and her new man, Calvin Klein model Jamie Jewitt.

Jonny, who is living with his dad in Hadleigh following his dumping from the Love Island villa a fortnight ago, said he wanted Gabby Allen and Blazin Squad rapper Marcel Somerville to win.

He said: “I thought Marcel and Gabs would have gone a bit further than they did, instead of fourth. Marcel was my best mate in there, he was a stand-up guy.

“Even with Cam and Jamie, she would have got a lot out of winning. She wouldn’t have expected to get as far as she did. It would have helped her confidence.”

Talking about the success of the show, Jonny added: “I knew it was going to be relatively big, but I had no idea how big it was going to be.

“I get recognised all the time. It’s brilliant, I love it - but it’s massively overwhelming.

“It’s just one of those shows that captures people.”

During his time in the villa, Jonny first coupled up with Camilla - Prince Harry’s rumoured ex - but later moved onto brunette beauty Tyla Carr. When asked about Tyla’s dramatic reaction to him leaving the villa, only to then move on with fellow contestant Mike Thalassitis, Jonny said: “Her reaction was so excessive with so many tears that I felt compelled to wait for her. Realistically it makes her look very fake. I haven’t spoken to her.

“I am annoyed but there are no hard feelings, I don’t hold grudges.”

He added: “I am completely happy with my experience, I have got no regrets. I wish I had come out of my shell more early on, but I am glad I left with my pride.”

Since leaving the Spanish villa, there have been pictures and reports of Jonny getting closer to ex-Love Island contestant Chyna Ellis - even jetting away on a weekend to Budapest together.

Remaining coy, he said: “We are very good friends and we are enjoying being around each other more.”