Grace Jackson only appeared on Love Island for the first time last summer – but her fellow co-star has said she’s “completely different” in her second stint in the famous villa.

While things are starting to heat up in the South African villa, with the Islanders looking for love for a second time, Grace Jackson seems to be calm and content after coupling up with Luca Bish.

But according to Grace’s pal and fellow season 11 contestant Nicole Samuel, Grace is different this time round, and it’s all because of one huge reason.

Appearing on the Mirror’s Bombshell Briefing podcast, the Welsh beauty lifted the lid on her friends currently in the villa, including why Grace is different compared to last summer.

Nicole Samuel and her ex Ciaran Davies on Love Island: All Stars ( 
Image:
ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

After spending the summer with Grace in the villa just a few months ago, 24-year-old Nicole knows Grace well, and said she’s noticed a difference in her pal, and claims it’s because Joey Essex isn’t in there. After coupling up with Luca, Nicole said she’s noticed he’s brought out Grace’s “fun” side, compared to when she was previously in the villa.

“She’s been quite fun this time, she’s not arguing all the time like she was last time with Joey, so I feel like her experience is completely different this time. It’s bringing out the fun side. She’s not having someone jumping down her throat all the time,” Nicole explained. She said Joey would always “jump in” on her at “random times” and added: “I feel like she had a lot with him. If I was her I never would have been able to handle it with the way they were like bickering.”

Nicole said they weren’t “major arguments” but said whenever Joey could slip a dig in he would – but said Grace “handled it like a boss”.

The former Love Islander also admitted she was shocked when Grace had coupled up with Luca and revealed: “I didn’t think she would go for Luca, but they work so well, and I’m so shocked how well they get on and you can see the vibe they’ve got with each other, so I’m glad and I’m rooting for them to to stay together and he makes her happy,” and added: “he brings out her fun side.”