Love Island's Adam Collard, 28, 'always wanted older woman' amid engagement to fiancée, 37

Former ladies’ man Adam Collard, who made his name on season four of Love Island in 2018, popped the question to his sports presenter girlfriend Laura Woods last month – and is clearly still in something of a love bubble. The 28-year-old personal trainer from Newcastle, who briefly dated Zara McDermott following his exit from the famous villa, got down on one knee on a stunning Cornwall beach, two months after 37-year-old Laura announced she was expecting their first baby.

In this exclusive chat with us, loved-up Adam talks about the couple’s age gap, what he thinks he’ll really be like as a dad, and his favourite (and surprising) OG reality show.

Congratulations on your engagement, Adam! There are nine years between you and Laura – does that bother either of you?

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Funnily enough, I had this conversation with my dad before I met Laura. I was like, I feel too far in front of my friends because of what I do with work and my responsibilities. I have two gyms, and the online clothing business, and I can’t relate to my friends as much. I spend a lot of time with family and friends who are older than me – and I’m not talking thirties, I’m talking fifties – because I haven’t got much in common with my friends any more, and it’s a hard place to be. So I think maybe that’s what I’ve always been looking for: an older woman. It’s just something that works for me. But also, Laura’s not an “older woman”, because if you meet her and you’re around her… I’ve been out with younger people who don’t act like her! It never came into our heads – it was very easygoing from day one.

Were you asked to do Love Island All Stars in January?

Yes, but I turned it down, and that was before Laura. I think after the second Love Island stint, I was done. I liked Celebs Go Dating because it was a bit of a different avenue. I don’t think anyone can really do three series… maybe they can, but for me, it’s a lot. And there’s a lot of pressure that comes with it. It’s such an intense era of your life. I’m a bit older now, and I don’t think I could be bothered with the hassle of it.

Did you get Laura’s mum’s seal of approval when you first met her?

I got the seal of approval straight away. They’re a good family, they’re really nice. There’s stuff about me in the press, and they never really batted an eyelid – if anything, they made a joke of it, which is kind of nice.

Did they see you on Love Island?

I don’t know about that, but I could tell it was different with Laura, and they probably could, too.

What is your relationship with Laura like?

It’s just normal. Obviously, I’m in the public eye, and she massively is as well, but we’re just very normal when we’re together. We probably neutralise each other, in a good way.

What was so special about Laura when you met her?

I think when you know, you just know – simple as that. It can be hard to find what you want.

Have you ever used dating apps in the past?

I’ve not really done the dating app thing, because I’ve had quite a few big significant things in my life, in terms of dating. I had one really big relationship, which was not bitter at all. Then I was on two big TV shows, and then the stuff in between. I think I’ve had my fair share of dates!

Is having a family with Laura important to you?

I massively love my family and I’m very close to them – my dad is the youngest of eight brothers – and I would always want that. Dad was my best mate and we did a lot of cool stuff together when I was younger, like going to the football. I want that for my kids as well.

How many children would you like to have?

Two is fine – anything over that, I might struggle. But if two of me come out, it will be a nightmare all the way until they’re 28!

Do you keep in touch with anyone from Celebs Go Dating?

I quite like Vanessa [Feltz], and I see her now and then, and Chloe [Burrows] asked us for Bali advice the other day. But again, with these shows, people don’t realise that it’s very hard to stay in contact with people after filming because we’re all spread out. I saw [Adam’s CDG co-star] Spuddz at the gym two weeks ago, and that was a surprise – it wasn’t planned.

Are you not all in a Celebs Go Dating WhatsApp group?

No, there’s no group chat.

Your ex, Autumn, appeared on Celebs Go Dating when you were there, didn’t she?

She wasn’t my ex, as such – rather someone I’d dated in the past. I don’t think the producers would have done that to anyone else apart from me.

Is it true you turned down appearing on Geordie Shore when you were 19?

I didn’t exactly turn it down, it was so light-hearted. A producer asked me in a nightclub in Newcastle if I’d consider it, and at first I said, “I probably would,” but then I felt it might tarnish the gym. I loved Geordie Shore back in the day with the OGs like Charlotte [Crosby], Gaz [Beadle] and Vicky [Pattison]. They were amazing but as I’ve got older, I couldn’t tell you many people who went on the show afterwards, apart from Nathan [Henry] and Chloe [Ferry].