Medal winner Katie: I turned down chance of Love Island fame to go for glory at Games

Published: 20:43, 29 July 2026 | Updated: 20:43, 29 July 2026 She could have become a household name in one of the most watched reality TV shows in the UK. But instead Katie Shanahan set her eyes on a Commonwealth medal and turned down the chance to appear on her favourite show, Love Island. The decision to skip TV fame last year paid off, for the 22-year-old Glaswegian claimed silver in the 200m breaststroke at her home Games on Friday night. However, she told BBC Scotland News if the opportunity to head to Casa Amor villa in Mallorca arose again, she would consider it. She said: ‘I’m the biggest Love Island fan ever, I’ve watched every season. Last year the producers asked me and Abbie Wood [the English swimmer] if we would be interested in doing it. ‘I couldn’t go on though, because of focusing on the swimming, but who knows in the future? I was a bit tempted but the swimming had to come first.’ Love Island, where singles live in isolation from the outside world and hook up with fellow contestants in a bid to find love – and fame – has been running since 2015. Producers are now keen to have athletes in the show with Northern Ireland boxers Jon McConnell and Kaci Rock previously progressing through initial auditions although both dropped out to focus on their sporting careers. Swimmer Katie Shanahan preferred Games glory to a shot at TV stardom Katie competed in the 100m backstroke Shanahan’s decision to continue training paid off as she bagged her silver medal after last week’s final. The swimmer said she’d been inspired by fellow Scottish Commonwealth champion Hannah Miley’s performance at the 2014 Games in Glasgow and hoped her own success would inspire others to take up the sport. She said: ‘I’ve always said that if I can inspire the next generation of athletes coming through, then my job has been done. ‘After watching Hannah I felt inspired, and it would be nice to think that there’s some younger girls watching the 200m backstroke this time, and maybe they’ll get into swimming from it.’ Having been flooded with messages of congratulations, she added: ‘I’m so grateful for the support, and with it being a home Games it feels like that support has been ramped up a bit, which is so nice to experience.’ Meanwhile, Scots weightlifter Angus Doig admits he was stunned to land a bronze medal in the 88kg category on Tuesday. Love Island has proved a huge TV ratings hit After his final lift he was 27kg behind the leader and under normal circumstances he was 25kg short of the chance of a podium place. So he packed his gear and left the SEC in Glasgow to meet his friends and family. But as his rivals struggled with their performances, he realised he might be in with a chance after all and raced back to the venue. Doig said: ‘It’s absolutely unbelievable. The podium was never on the cards.’