Kem Cetinay won the third series of Love Island in 2017 alongside Amber Davies, but his journey since leaving the villa has proven far more substantial than most reality show victories. The Essex hairdresser has built a credible broadcasting career, become a mental health advocate, and transformed himself from a “cheeky chappy” into a respected media professional . This is the story of how Kem Cetinay Love Island fame became the foundation for something lasting.
The Love Island Journey That Made Him a Household Name
Kem Cetinay entered the Love Island villa on Day 1 of the 2017 series as a 21-year-old hairdresser from Essex who described himself as a “cheeky chappy” and a “naughty Turk” . He had never watched the show before appearing on it, yet he quickly became one of its most memorable contestants . His early days in the villa saw him couple up with Chloe Crowhurst, but it was his connection with Amber Davies that would define his time on the show .
The relationship between Kem and Amber was far from smooth. They briefly split when Kem recoupled with Chyna and Amber with Simon, but they soon realised they were better together . Kem was later thrown when Theo Campbell and Jamie Jewitt picked Amber for dates, and their romance faced another hurdle when Georgia decided to couple up with Kem . Despite these obstacles, nothing could tear them apart permanently. Kem made his feelings clear during the show, telling Caroline Flack: “This is no banter, I can imagine myself having kids and a family with Amber” . He even passed the show’s lie detector test with flying colours.
Their on-screen romance captivated viewers, with the pair enjoying significant attention for their passionate connection. As fans rallied behind them, Amber’s mother publicly declared they were the only “genuine” lovers in the villa . On Day 52, Kem and Amber walked out as the winners of series three, choosing to split the £50,000 prize money .
The Bromance That Became a Pop Culture Phenomenon
One of the most unexpected and enduring aspects of Kem Cetinay Love Island legacy was his friendship with fellow contestant Chris Hughes. Their “bromance” became a major talking point and a pop culture phenomenon in its own right . Kem reflected on this unusual dynamic, saying: “I can’t explain how mad it was, feeling like so many people had an attachment to the two of us, even though we’d only met six weeks before” .
The friendship proved so popular that Kem and Chris released a grime single together called “Little Bit Leave It” in 2017, which reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart . They also starred in spin-off shows together, including “Chris & Kem: Straight Outta Love Island” . Their bond has extended beyond entertainment, as both became ambassadors for the suicide prevention charity CALM, supporting mental health campaigns together .
The Relationship That Didn’t Last
Despite their declarations of love in the villa, Kem and Amber’s relationship outside the show proved short-lived. They split in December 2017, just four months after winning Love Island, citing “busy work schedules and differing lifestyles” as the reasons . A joint statement at the time expressed their sadness but emphasised their enduring friendship .
Amber has since been vocal about wanting the public to move on from their relationship. She hit out at fans who continued asking about Kem, saying: “Guys, this is getting so boring and simply irritating now. If Kem and I are over the relationship, I think YOU GUYS should be” . Despite the public pleas for distance, the pair have remained supportive of each other from afar. When Amber faced backlash during her “Strictly Come Dancing” participation, Kem publicly supported her . She also sent a thoughtful message during one of his charity events, highlighting their positive post-breakup dynamic without reigniting romance rumours .Quick Bio
Building a Genuine Broadcasting Career
Unlike many reality stars who fade from view, Kem Cetinay has worked methodically to build a sustainable career in media. He began hosting “Love Island: The Morning After,” the official Love Island podcast, and fronted the ITV2 spin-off “Straight Outta Love Island” . He then joined “This Morning” as an entertainment presenter, demonstrating his versatility beyond reality television .
His television appearances have included a range of high-profile shows. He competed on “Dancing on Ice,” finishing in fourth place, and appeared on “Celebrity MasterChef” and “Celebrity Hunted” . However, his proudest achievement has been in radio. Kem had long wanted to break into the industry, and he pursued it with persistence. “I do a mood board every January of what I want for that year, and Capital has been on it for ages,” he explained. “I kept trying to get onto the station, and they kept knocking me back. I think I did five different demos for them, but nothing was happening” .
Eventually, in 2023, Capital offered him a guest presenting spot. “I started on the graveyard shift and had to work my way up from there,” he said. “I think they were a little bit surprised that I did it. They probably assumed I would only want to go straight in” . His dedication paid off when he was announced as the host of “The Capital Weekender” in July 2024, a prime Friday and Saturday evening slot . Calling it a “dream come true,” Kem now hosts one of Capital’s most listened-to shows .
Radio has taught him more than he expected. “It has given me a huge respect for people who do this job, because when you’re on TV, you can get away with so much more,” he reflected. “On radio, there is nowhere to hide. People can only hear your voice, and they hear every crackle” .
Mental Health Advocacy and Personal Growth
Perhaps the most significant aspect of Kem Cetinay’s post-Love Island life has been his openness about mental health. He has been in therapy since the age of 11 and has spoken about his struggles with anxiety, depression, and PTSD . His mental health difficulties stem from a traumatic childhood experience when his mother nearly died from septicaemia and was given just 24 hours to live . Shortly afterwards, his own tonsils operation went wrong, leading to kidney failure .
The first time he truly faced his struggles was when he was 14 and was taken out of school. “It was a bit of a wake-up call,” he explained. “They took me to see so many different people like my GP and different therapists, but I think because I was in those teenage years, I still had to grow up a little bit to start to focus in and fight the journey myself” .
In 2022, Kem became an ambassador for CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably . He has used his platform to share positive messages around mental health and anxiety. “It was hard for me to open up about my PTSD and my mental health at the beginning when I first left Love Island,” he admitted. “The first time I spoke about my past publicly I was so nervous but it gave me the best feeling in the world getting it off my chest and talking about it” .
He has also become an ambassador for Childline, working closely with young people to open up conversations about the stigma surrounding mental health . In 2021, he co-hosted the ITV2 series “The Full Treatment” with Amber Gill, produced in partnership with CALM, to discuss mental health challenges faced by young people .
Charity Work and Recent Endeavours
Kem has channelled his public platform into meaningful charitable work. In October 2025, he completed a gruelling 24-hour padel challenge in aid of Global’s Make Some Noise, raising over £300,000 for the charity . The challenge saw him push himself to the physical and mental limit, playing padel for a full day against different opponents, with the entire event streamed live .
He has also demonstrated his sporting ability through Soccer Aid, where he is the top scorer in the annual charity match with five goals . Beyond charity, Kem has ventured into business. He invested in Dr Will’s, a UK-based cannabis brand, in 2025 as part of a capital raise . He has also launched his own men’s fashion range in partnership with Primark and co-founded a restaurant .
Reflection on Fame and Growth
Kem Cetinay has been remarkably self-aware about the challenges of growing up in the public eye. “People really feel like they know me,” he reflected. “I still get people on the street calling me their brother. I love that they can feel they can relate to me and think I’m almost like a friend. But I was 21 when I became famous, and a lot has changed since then” .
He acknowledges that his public persona differs from his private self. “Sometimes people seem to think I’m still that character, and then they meet me and maybe they think I’m not stuck up exactly, but I’m a lot more boring now. Maybe they think I’m not as fun anymore. For the same reason, I couldn’t go on Love Island again now” .
Kem also speaks honestly about the chaos of early fame. “No one can really prepare you for coming out of a reality show. One day people will love you, and the next they will say shit about you. That’s just the game. It can be rough, but I’ve tried not to think about it too deeply” . His journey from Love Island winner to respected broadcaster and mental health advocate demonstrates that reality television fame, when handled with intention and persistence, can become the foundation for a genuinely meaningful career.What year did Kem Cetinay win Love Island?
Kem Cetinay won Love Island in 2017, taking the crown on the third series of the ITV2 show alongside his partner Amber Davies. They split the £50,000 prize money on the final episode, which aired on Day 52 of the competition.
Did Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies stay together after Love Island?
No, Kem and Amber split in December 2017, just four months after winning the show. They cited busy work schedules and differing lifestyles as the reasons for their separation. Despite the breakup, both have remained publicly supportive of each other’s careers.
What does Kem Cetinay do for work now?
Kem has built a successful broadcasting career since Love Island. He hosts The Capital Weekender on Capital Radio and works as an entertainment presenter for ITV’s This Morning. He has also appeared on Dancing on Ice, Celebrity MasterChef, and Celebrity Hunted.
Why is Kem Cetinay involved with mental health charities?
Kem has been open about his own struggles with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which stem from a childhood trauma when his mother nearly died from septicaemia. He became a CALM ambassador in 2022 and a Childline campaigner, using his platform to reduce stigma around mental health.
Has Kem Cetinay done any charity work recently?
Yes, in October 2025, Kem completed a 24-hour padel challenge for Global’s Make Some Noise, raising over £300,000 for the charity. He is also the top scorer in Soccer Aid history with five goals and has supported various mental health campaigns throughout his career.
