What happened in Adam Collard's original Love Island appearance?

Adam Collard's return was the biggest twist of Love Island 2022 but what happened in his OG series?

Adam Collard during the baby challenge on Love Island 2022/ in a green and blue background
(Image credit: ITV Picture Desk)

Former islander, Adam Collard made Love Island history with his dramatic return to the 2022 series, leaving the series just before the Love Island final. But what about his first stint on the show?

No viewer was prepared for the moment Adam was dramatically teased to be returning. His comeback was the biggest twist maybe ever, as he is the first-ever former contestant to return in another series and one of the most notorious.

For those who don't know, Adam's first Love Island journey was rather dramatic as he swiftly become known as his season's villain due to his constantly swiveling head. For anyone who tuned into his first season, this 2022 Adam is almost unrecognizable, with fans tweeting their shock at how 'Adam Collard isn't Collarding'. Even after the show ended, Adam and Paige are still going strong—which, let's be honest, no one saw coming...

So if you have no idea why Mr. Collard's return caused such a stir, allow us to fill you in...

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Who is Adam Collard?

Starting with the basics, Adam is from Newcastle and found fame on Love Island, thanks to his brutal recouplings and mad moves (one of the many Love Island phrases you need to know.)

Before his first stint on the show, he made an appearance on Geordie Shore and was a personal trainer. To date, he is still a personal trainer but has now founded a gym—which is unsurprising when you see his chiseled bod—and also does your classic post-Love Island influencing. With sponsored posts, selfies, workout videos and vacay snaps. With his second-round success, no doubt we'll see his influencing career really take off...

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 What is Adam Collard’s age? 

Adam is 26 and a Scorpio—in case you wanted to know.

In the villa, he is one of the oldest islanders alongside, Davide and Ekin-Su (our 2022 winners!) who are both 27.

Adam Collard's Love Island 2018 appearance

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Adam starred in season four of Love Island, alongside the likes of Jack Fincham, Dani Dyer, Laura Anderson, Wes Nelson and Megan Barton-Hanson (What a year! Take us back!). 

After stepping foot in the villa, he wasted absolutely no time cracking on and stealing the islanders' girls. During his time on the show, he was in four different couples before he was eventually dumped from the island.

To name just a few of his antics—he shared explosive rows in his second couple with Rosie Williams, dubbing her clingy as he tried to flirt with Megan, only to ditch her as soon as Zara McDermott entered—despite being intimate with her and assuring her of his feelings days before.

He then vowed to stay true to Zara after she was dumped, but still cracked on with Darylle. After he was dropped from the villa he then got back together with Zara.

How far did Adam make it through his original Love Island appearance?

In Adam's original appearance, he arrived as the first bombshell on day one and made it to day 32 (week five) following Casa Amor. Despite vowing to stay loyal to Zara, who was dumped days before, Adam cracked on with Casa girl Darylle and fans clearly weren't very happy with his antics.

In his second appearance, he pretty much entered where he left originally, he walked into the villa just days after the Casa Amor fall out and made it to the final week, being dumped just before the final. 

He's also got the chance to take part in the baby challenge, meet the parents and had his big final date with Paige, after missing out during his first stint.

Who was Adam Collard with on Love Island? 

Adam didn't have the quietest of Love Island journeys the first time around. He was coupled up with several different islanders and spent some time in between trying to get to know others too.

Adam Collard's Love Island couples

  • Kendall Knight
  • Rosie Williams
  • Zara McDermott
  • Darylle Sargeant

Adam began his journey with Kendall Knight, who he stole from fellow islander Niall. The pair shared the season's first kiss together but Adam decided to recouple with bombshell Rosie—leaving Kendall to be dumped from the island.

He then had a very rocky relationship with Rosie after being intimate with her, only to flirt with Megan when she entered the villa. He then dropped Rosie for bombshell Zara leaving her in tears. Famously the pair had a raging argument, where Adam smirked throughout, sparking numerous complaints from viewers. 

Zara was then dumped and despite assuring her he would star loyal, he immediately moved on to new girl Darylle—telling her that he would have pursued her even if Zara had stayed. So as you can see, he wasn't afraid of causing upset.

Adam and Zara's Love Island relationship

Despite Adam straying during Casa Amor, he did rekindle his romance with Zara when he left the villa. 

The pair became official and dated for eight months before they ultimately broke up. Zara shared the news of their split on Instagram writing: "I am heartbroken to announce that Adam and I have parted ways. I love him very much and will always have a special place in my heart for him and our time spent together. 

"I have tried so hard to be the best person I can possibly be and to make it work. Sometimes in life, you just aren’t enough for someone; no matter what you do for them or how much you try to be."

Adam also shared that their relationship has just 'run its course' and denied cheating rumors.

Now, Zara is dating Made in Chelsea's Sam Thompson, who shared her hilarious reaction to Adam's dramatic 2022 return. 

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Naomi Jamieson
Lifestyle News Writer

Naomi is a Lifestyle News Writer with the Women's Lifestyle team and has recently earned her Gold Standard diploma in Journalism with the NCTJ. She has a background in design, having studied Illustration at Plymouth University but has taken a leap into the world of journalism after always having a passion for writing. She currently writes pieces on beauty, trends, fashion, and entertainment for GoodTo and My Imperfect Life. She also tests and reviews beauty and skincare products and tries out the latest TikTok hacks for My Imperfect Life.


Before working for Future Publishing’s Lifestyle News team, she worked in the Ad production team. Here she wrote and designed adverts on all sorts of things, which then went into print magazines across all genres. Now, when she isn’t writing articles on celebs, fashion trends, or the newest shows on Netflix, you can find her drinking copious cups of coffee, drawing and probably online shopping.