Love Island legend shares exciting update as he returns to TV after break from spotlight
LOVE Island legend Ovie Soko has returned to the spotlight with a new TV role.
The professional basketball star has been snapped up by the BBC to share his court expertise for the channel’s coverage of the 2022/23 NBA season.
He began his new gig last week as the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons went head to head on neutral ground in Paris.
In total, the BBC will air eight games, including one Finals game, before wrapping up with an end of season review show.
Joining Ovie in the studio are host Jeanette Kwakye and comedian Nathan Caton.
Love Island hall of famer Ovie, 31, used his laid-back cool to successfully navigate the pitfalls of the second villa when he joined as a late arrival back in series five.
He became a firm favourite with fans who fell for his bucket hats, beach shirts and relaxed demeanour.
That popularity saw him finish in third place with model India Reynolds, becoming a meme sensation along the way.
The professional basketball star has zero regrets about his time on the show, instead he feels privileged to have been given the opportunity.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, he said: “I don’t think the key is trying to manufacture a tactic. The public can see through that, they’ve seen enough islanders by now. I don’t think faking it will get you far.
“You go into there and people warm to you or they don’t. Some people will have made up their minds that they’re at a point they’re comfortable, and that’s what they’ll be. Other people will take a different approach and maybe try and see what you’re about. It depends on who’s compatible. I really don’t think there’s much that can get in the way of two people who properly feel a connection.
“When I got there I was nervous being in a different environment, not being used to anything, but once those nerves wear off.
“I don’t think it was like a competition, maybe it felt that way for the islanders who have been there already. The newcomers are coming into a situation that’s all we know, so we’re enjoying the situation.”
Since leaving the villa, Ovie has thrown himself back into basketball, playing in London, France and Japan.