Former Love Island and Big Brother star Chris Hughes has revealed details of his latest project – his role as ambassador for National Racehorse Week – while also opening up about his ongoing relationship with US singer Jojo Siwa, describing the long-distance dynamic as "really complicated."
From Reality TV to Horse Racing
Chris, 33, from Gloucestershire, first appeared on screens in 2017 as a Love Island contestant. Since then, he has appeared on shows including Big Brother and spent five years as part of the ITV Racing team from 2019 to 2025.
Growing up in the Cotswolds, Chris said he had ponies as a child and wanted to be a jockey, but his height proved an obstacle. "Once I got a little bit tall it made me a little bit heavier, so I would have struggled making the weight," he explained.
National Racehorse Week Ambassadorship
Now ambassador for National Racehorse Week, the initiative runs over 10 days from 22nd to 31st August 2026, opening studs, training yards, and retraining centres free to the public. An 'urban racing yard' will pop up in Liverpool, London, and Portsmouth during the event.
Chris said he has been involved since the start and highlighted the welfare message: "95% of people who have gone to and visited one of the yards have then had a positive perception on the welfare of the animals in horse racing." He added that horses receive "five star treatment" and are looked after like Premier League footballers.
Future of Racing and Upcoming Projects
Regarding attracting younger audiences, Chris said student nights are "a win for the sport," referencing a packed event in Newcastle.
On his own career, Chris teased a big project in September he cannot yet reveal, plus a potential cricket-related opportunity in India. "Cricket's huge in India it's massive and there's potential opportunity to go out to Delhi for a month and do something cricket related," he said.
Relationship with Jojo Siwa
Chris met Jojo Siwa in the Big Brother house, where they were accused of faking their relationship for publicity. Despite that, they remain together. He has converted her to Yorkshire Tea, and they now play golf together.
On the 5,000-mile distance, Chris admitted it is "a really complicated one because of work." He noted that his TV and racing work cannot be done remotely, and a move to the US could happen "one day," but not yet. "It's not like I'm at an age where you can just retire and go and enjoy yourself and move in together," he said.
