Love Island star Kem Cetinay used to be a barber, but he entered the Love Island villa in June 2017. There was a global viewership of 2.5 million or more by the time he and Amber Davies won the show the following July. Most reality TV stars don’t survive a season. He did. Almost 10 years on, Kem Cetinay has a chart hit, a podcast, big daytime TV commitments, his own Capital radio show and a record of Soccer Aid goals. We take a look at his rise to success, what he is up to these days, and what is fact and fiction.
From a back-street barber to the villa
Kems was born on 25 April 1996 in Essex to Turkish Cypriot parents; his mother hails from Famagusta and his father from Kyrenia. He has one brother, Izzy. The lovable, jokey persona of his that the public voted for was just one side of him. During an interview with Men’s Fitness in 2018, he opened up about how he was plagued with anxiety following a near-death experience with his mum when he was 12, and how the gym helped him overcome the problem.
He’s always been pretty open about his mental health, and that’s another reason viewers fell for him even after the show. He entered Love Island as a 21-year-old on day one. His journey to the final wasn’t exactly linear: He initially coupled up with Chloe Crowhurst before finding his seat beside Amber Davies; re-coupled with Chyna, then Georgia, before ending up back with Amber; they were crowned winners on day 52, outpacing Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt.
Kem and Amber: the split everyone asked about
The couple broke up in December 2017, roughly four months after the final. It is arguably the most searched aspect of the Kem Cetinay story, thanks mainly to the fact that he was one half of the winning couple in a show that was at its peak in terms of popularity. Both have opened up over the years, with Kem revealing that Dancing on Ice helped him get through the fallout.
The bromance that became a brand
His most enduring partnership to emerge from the villa is probably with Chris Hughes, who arrived as a bombshell. The duo’s relaxed double act quickly evolved into a business alliance. In October 2017, they put out a grime single, “Little Bit Leave It“, under the name Chris & Kem, which went to number 15 in the UK Singles Chart.
They weren’t trying to act like rappers, which made it all the more fun. The pair went on to land a spin-off of the single on ITV2 called Straight Outta Love Island, as well as two series of the game show You Vs. Chris & Kem. They also starred in Celebrity Hunted for Channel 4 for Stand Up To Cancer, where they finished third.
Ice rinks, kitchens and sofas
Over the next few years Kem had an unprecedentedly diverse time as a dater. He took to the ice in the 2018 series of Dancing on Ice, where he and partner Alex Murphy finished fourth. He returned to the show the following year to present its behind-the-scenes coverage. This Morning settled in and became his regular home, where he’s been a showbiz presenter since 2019, and he’s also appeared on Lorraine and Loose Women.
In 2021 he competed in Celebrity Master Chef and finished fifth – a decent showing for a man whose public persona has been, for the most part, based on gym selfies and jokiness. Between 2018 and 2022, he also did the official Love Island: The Morning After podcast with Arielle Free, which provided a natural link back to the franchise that launched him.
Soccer Aid and the penalty-taker’s reputation
If anything’s making Kem Cetinay more than just a former contestant, then it could be the Soccer Aid. He made his debut at Stamford Bridge in 2019, where he scored during the match, before netting during a shootout as the Rest of the World lifted the trophy. Kem scored 5 goals in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 and is named the competition’s leading goal scorer with five.
It feels a little bit novel and is also a perfect example of how he maintained his relevance. He discovered what he was good at, turned up for work every day, and positioned himself alongside a worthwhile cause like the UNICEF charity event that people truly connect with.
Radio: the Capital Weekender
In more recent years, his radio work has been more regular. From 2023, he became a guest presenter on Capital, mainly over bank holiday periods, and was announced as the new host of The Capital Weekender in July 2024. The show is broadcast on Friday and Saturday nights between 7-10 pm, which he described as “a dream come true”. In 2019, he made guest appearances on Kiss.
It’s a wise decision. Radio plays to his strengths, which have always been warm, quick, and accessible radio. He’s also been credited as a co-founder of a restaurant project called Array, hinting he’s been giving some thought to life after TV.
A difficult chapter
Not all of it is small fry. In August 2022, Kem was involved in a car accident in Hornchurch in which 28-year-old Tommy Griggs lost his life at the scene. A coroner’s inquest concluded that it was not something Cetinay could have changed, and it is a reminder that behind the TV persona is someone who has had to deal with some pretty serious stuff.
What’s confirmed, and what isn’t
Searches for Kem Cetinay bring up net worth, so it should be handled with care. There are different estimated numbers, but none of these have been cited to company documents, a financial release, or Kem itself, so there’s no way to verify. The same applies to his present relationship. Several biography sites suggest he’s single, but the pages aren’t regularly updated, and there’s no citation, so treat as unknown if he hasn’t explained it himself.
Why people still search for Kem Cetinay
He was a member of what many people still deem the show’s “golden age,” and he’s one of the few winners whose career hasn’t plateaued. Nor, really, is he easy to hate. That combination of heartfelt, humorous, and candid takes on his past plays for an audience, both onscreen and on air.
Whatever happens from here, in the game of reality television, Kem Cetinay has already broken the record for how long you can last. He’s made it this far by taking on everything, by being candid about his battles, and by a summer in Mallorca being, at best, a footnote.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Did Kem Cetinay win Love Island?
The third series of Love Island was won on 24 July 2017 by Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies. It was the show’s 52nd day in the Mallorca villa and the final. Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewett came second to the main winners. This was the final series to be presented by Caroline Flack before the programme was recast.
Are Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies still together?
No, not currently. The couple split in December 2017, less than a year after they won the show, but have spoken about their separation numerous times since. No, they are not back together, and papers claiming they are merely speculation.
What is Kem Cetinay up to now?
Kem Cetinay now presents The Capital Weekender for Capital, which is broadcast on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 until 10 pm, after taking over in July 2024. He is a regular showbiz presenter on ITV’s This Morning and has also participated in Soccer Aid for UNICEF.
Did Kem Cetinay have a hit?
Yes, “Little Bit Leave It,” by Chris & Kem, was released in October 2017. The grime-inspired song debuted at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, which is their most successful to date. However, they haven’t really collaborated musically apart from the occasional television appearance since.
How much is Kem Cetinay worth?
Unfortunately, there’s no accurate estimate of Kem’s net worth. Based on all the unofficial sites that list it, they all state Kem Cetinay hasn’t really released any financial statements himself, so they all look fairly inaccurate. His income has seemingly come from TV, radio, podcasting, and brand work.
