JACQUES O'Neill has posted from a hospital bed after undergoing an operation following a rugby-related injury.
Gemma Owen's ex took the opportunity to open up about his dream of being back in the rugby league after - four years after he went on Love Island.
However, he has since been ruled out playing for the forseeable after being forced to go under the knife.
He wrote on Instagram: "Operation done.. Just as I was starting to get my confidence back and enjoy rugby league again, it’s taken away, but that’s life."
Admitting regrets over quitting rugby to follow his ex into Love Island in 2022, Jacques said: "Four years I stupidly had out the game, being an idiot chasing a life that wasn’t for me.
"The result of that was that I ended up in a pretty dark place and losing myself.
"I was putting off returning to play because of the comments from others saying I had no chance to play again, saying \he’s had too long out' etc, comments about where I was at mentally & physically.
"The truth is, I doubted myself too. At first I didn’t think I would have ever been able to play again the state I got myself in to.
"I remember the first couple of months back driving home from training questioning myself if I still had it in me or not but as soon as I got a good team behind me, got rid of all distractions my mindset started to change.
"Even though my first season back hasn’t gone to plan, I’m grateful for the life lessons I’ve had the last few years.
"Every setback has taught me something valuable. It’s built me up. Not just as a player, but as a person
"I’ll be back hungrier than ever."
Jacques, 26, coupled up with Paige Thorne on the show but quit on day 37 after she started getting to know bombshell Adam Collard.
He admitted struggling with his mental health and in an interview with The Sun when out of the villa, opene up about his diagnosis with ADHD, which he says impacted his experience on the show.
Paige ended up coupling up with Adam, but they didn't last long on the outside.
Jacques is currently believed to be dating Norwegian influencer Isabel Raad after being linked to Stephen Bear's ex Ellie O'Donnell.
