Two members of Northern Ireland's Commonwealth Games team have chosen hooks over hook-ups after almost entering Love Island. Boxing duo Jon McConnell and Kaci Rock - of Belfast's Holy Trinity club - advanced through the reality show's early audition stages before pulling out to prioritise their sporting careers, including the Commonwealth Games, which is underway in Glasgow.
Boxers' decision
Rock, whose father is the legendary Irish champion Jim Rock, said her desire to establish herself in the ring rather than reality TV ultimately swayed her decision. She said: "Me and Jon have been friends for years and I joked about going on it one day. The two of us got to the same point but then we said, 'Oh God, it's too soon.' I'd rather make my name in sport than anything else."
While Rock is adamant she will not be repeating the Love Process any time soon, McConnell will be ready to bring a bit of extra bling to the villa should the producers wish to keep his opportunity open. "If they want to give me a call after I've won a gold medal, they’re welcome," said 70kg fighter. "Maybe I'll be standing on the podium with my medal around my neck and they can reach out to me then."
Love Island connection
"I used to spend a lot of time watching Love Island with the team. It was never really my idea at first, but Kaci mentioned it and said she'd put my name forward as well. I got through a few stages of the process but then I got selected for the Commonwealth Games."
The Games officially got underway with Thursday's opening ceremony, which saw the King and Queen play a prominent role in the show as they emerged from a Tardis at Glasgow's OVO Hydro arena. It was not the first time a monarch has made a memorable entrance to a major sporting event's opening ceremony.
Games details
Queen Elizabeth II famously took part in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, appearing to skydive into the stadium from a helicopter with James Bond actor Daniel Craig, who had escorted her from Buckingham Palace. More than 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories will compete across 10 sports and six Para sports over 11 days of competition.
