Love Is Blind stars’ secret TV pasts from £31k win on ITV show to BBC documentary ngocc

LOVE Is Blind bosses insisted that only "genuine" singletons looking for love and marriage would appear in the final edit of the show.

Yet these familiar faces have already tried their luck at fame and fortune on the telly.

Both Cat Richards and Bobby J appeared on other TV shows before landing a place on Love Is Blind UK - and one of them even scooped a whopping £31,000 prize.

Prior to her stint on the hit Netflix series, Catherine headed to Ibiza for some sun, sea and potential stardom.

Not only did she appear on Ibiza Weekender, Cat later went on to star in a similar reality docuseries on BBC Three.

Four years ago, she and nine others headed off into the sunset in an attempt to kickstart their individual careers on the iconic White Isle.

The programme, voiced by Love Island host Maya Jama, was filmed over a six-week period and aired across four episodes.

Catherine hoped to become a swimming instructor, having previously worked in Ibiza as a shot girl.

She said at the time: "I wouldn’t say there is a correct way to make it in Ibiza. But definitely knowing the right people and trying to get involved with everything that’s going on with events and parties.

"Then slowly you will become noticed by others and start making Ibiza into your own.

"There are groups that people make for workers that are amazing make you feel like you are a part of something and that you’re not alone when you’re flying out there for the first time."

Cat even struck up a holiday romance while filming the BBC show and told a chap called Liam that she was "in love" with him.

But just like the relationship, her attempts at making it as a swimming teacher on the party island fizzled out and she headed back home.

Cat, who hails from Jersey, now works as a dental nurse.

Bobby, meanwhile, arguably had more success with his debut on the small screen.

Prior to his selection for Love Is Blind UK, Bobby proved he is brains as well as brawn by trying his luck on a game show.

The musician, who has been paired with Jasmine in the series, previously took part in ITV1's Moneyball.

The programme ran from 2021 to 2023 and was hosted by football pundit Ian Wight. Contestants were each asked six questions at a time, with an overall winner scooping up to £250,000.

Bobby wasn't fortunate enough to walk away with the quarter of a million pounds, but he did win an impressive £31,000.

Love Is Blind UK is based on the US version of the show and sees single men and women date in purpose-built "pods" before ultimately getting engaged.

The twist is that the couples can hear, but not see each other while in the pods, only meeting once a proposal has been made.

The UK series is hosted by husband and wife duo, Emma and Matt Willis. If the couples end up walking down the aisle at the end, their marriage is legally binding.

Prior to its release, Donna Driscoll - executive vice president of casting and talent for Kinetic Content - told Variety: "Influencers and actors are off the table.

“I want the people to come in and feel very authentic and raw — and that’s not to say that an influencer, model or actor could not do that.

"But I want to steer clear of getting somebody into the pod, as much as I possibly can, for the wrong reasons.

"With somebody who is an influencer … I’m really hesitant to go down that road just because I want to make sure that their heart is in the right place."

Meanwhile, eagle-eyed fans have also recognised another face from the UK series.

Participant Nicole appeared in Channel 4's Come Dine With Me in August 2021.

Nicole failed to take home the win, finishing in fourth place among the five contestants.