In a surprising career pivot, a former Love Island contestant has traded romantic pursuits for pom-poms, becoming a fixture at one of Britain's most iconic sporting events. Lacey Edwards, who appeared on the hit ITV2 dating show in 2022, is now dazzling crowds as a professional cheerleader at the World Darts Championship at London's Alexandra Palace.
From Villa Bombshell to Darts Dancer
Lacey Edwards, now 29, entered the Love Island villa as a bombshell on day 45 of the show's eighth series. She quickly coupled up with fellow contestant Deji Adeniyi. However, their romance was short-lived, and the pair were eliminated just four days later following the infamous Casa Amor twist. Reflecting on her time in the villa, Lacey said she enjoyed her 'short and sweet' stint and was glad she managed to turn heads.
Fast forward to November 2024, and Edwards embarked on a very different venture. She joined the elite PDC Darts Dancers group, performing at the Ally Pally to entertain thousands of darts fans and players. Selected from over 200 applicants, she was the fourth and final newcomer for that year's championship and has now returned for her second season in 2025.
Life Beyond the Pom-Poms
When she's not leading cheers at the oche, Lacey maintains a busy portfolio career. She is a part-time Pilates instructor and flexibility coach, leveraging her dance background. As an influencer with 38,000 Instagram followers, she regularly shares glimpses of her lavish travels to destinations like the Maldives, Morocco, and Mallorca, as well as snippets of her life with her boyfriend, James.
Her performance career with the PDC has also taken her to other major UK venues, including London's O2 Arena and events in Brighton. The dance troupe at the World Darts Championship is known for its eclectic mix of talent, featuring everything from TikTok stars to fire-breathers.
A New Stage for Reality TV Alumni
Lacey's journey highlights a growing trend of reality TV stars carving out successful niches in the entertainment and sports industries after their initial fame. Her move into the high-energy world of darts cheerleading demonstrates how the skills and profile gained from shows like Love Island can be repurposed for long-term careers.
This season, instead of jetting off to exotic locations, Edwards is channelling her energy into the 'biggest event on the calendar' at Alexandra Palace. Her story is one of reinvention, proving that life after reality TV can be just as dynamic and public-facing, albeit with a different kind of spotlight and a pair of pom-poms in hand.
