Let’s be honest for a second. Most people who walk out of the Love Island villa have a shelf life shorter than a carton of milk left in the sun. They do the fast-fashion deals, the club appearances, maybe a stint on another reality show where they eat bugs, and then they sort of just... fade. But Love Island Chris Hughes is different. He’s the anomaly.
Since he first walked onto our screens back in 2017—remember the polar bear hair and that weirdly endearing obsession with Cash Hughes the baby?—he’s managed to build a career that actually has legs. It’s 2026 now. We’ve seen a hundred "bombshells" come and go, but Chris is still here. He isn't just "that guy from series three" anymore. He’s a legitimate sports broadcaster, a mental health advocate who actually puts his money where his mouth is, and, more recently, one half of a relationship that absolutely nobody saw coming.
The Bromance That Built an Empire
You can’t talk about Chris without mentioning Kem Cetinay. Their bromance was the heartbeat of that 2017 season. It felt real because it was real. While everyone else was busy trying to "crack on" and secure a PrettyLittleThing contract, these two were writing bars in the garden.
"Little Bit Leave It" hitting number 15 on the UK charts was peak 2017 culture. Was it high art? Absolutely not. Was it catchy? Uncomfortably so. But that friendship gave Chris a foundation. It proved he had a personality that people actually liked when he wasn't just being a "fit guy in trunks."
Why the ITV Racing Pivot Was Genius
Most reality stars try to stay in the "celebrity" lane. They want the red carpets and the influencer perks. Chris went the other way—he went back to his roots. Growing up in Gloucestershire, he was always around horses. He’s a talented jockey himself.
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When he joined the ITV Racing team, plenty of people rolled their eyes. They thought it was a gimmick. It wasn't. Chris actually knows his stuff. Watching him talk about the Cheltenham Festival or Royal Ascot, you can tell he isn't just reading a teleprompter. He’s got that genuine, manic energy of someone who actually loves the sport. He brought a younger, fresher audience to horse racing without making it feel like "Love Island at the Races."
The JoJo Siwa Curveball
If you told me a year ago that Chris Hughes would be dating JoJo Siwa, I would have laughed in your face. It sounds like a Mad Libs generated headline. But here we are in 2026, and they are arguably the most fascinating couple in the tabloid world.
They met on Celebrity Big Brother UK in early 2025. On paper, it makes zero sense. He’s a British country lad who loves cricket and racing; she’s a global pop sensation known for neon bows and high-octane energy. But watching them together, you see why it works. Chris has always been a "heart on his sleeve" kind of guy. He’s protective, he’s loyal, and he’s an ally.
When JoJo faced some pretty nasty comments from other housemates (looking at you, Mickey Rourke), Chris was the first person to step up. He didn't do it for the cameras—he did it because that’s just who he is. By June 2025, it was official. They’ve been doing the long-distance thing between the UK and LA, hitting red carpets like the Dancers Against Cancer Gala, and honestly, they look happier than most couples who live in the same zip code.
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He Actually Saved Lives (Literally)
We need to talk about the "L’Eau de Chris" stunt. At first, it looked like the peak of influencer narcissism—bottled water infused with his own tears. It was ridiculous. It was cringe. And then, the reveal happened.
It was a campaign with CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) for World Mental Health Day. The message was simple: don't bottle it up. Chris has been incredibly open about his own struggles with anxiety and the pressure of fame. He didn't just post a black square on Instagram; he did the work.
Then there was the live testicular exam on This Morning. That took guts. He did it because his brother, Ben, was diagnosed with testicular cancer after Chris’s own health advocacy encouraged Ben to check himself. That isn't "content." That’s real life.
What Most People Get Wrong About Him
People think he’s just a "lad." A bit of a joker, maybe a bit dim. But if you look at his business moves, he’s sharp.
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- He’s built a net worth estimated around £1.4 million.
- He’s balanced high-end brand deals with Topman and Coral.
- He’s transitioned into BBC Sport coverage for The Hundred cricket tournament.
He isn't trying to be the most famous person in the room. He’s trying to be the most employed. He’s treated his post-villa life like a career, not a vacation.
The Truth About the Breakups
His romantic life hasn't always been easy. The split with Olivia Attwood was messy and played out on their own reality show, Crackin' On. It was painful to watch because it was clearly a relationship that had reached its breaking point. Then there was Jesy Nelson and later the pro-golfer Annabel Dimmock.
Every time, the tabloids tried to paint him as the villain or the "heartbroken ex." But Chris usually just keeps his head down and focuses on the horses. He doesn't do the "tell-all" interviews for a quick paycheck. There’s a level of class there that you don’t always see in the reality TV world.
Where Chris Hughes Goes From Here
Chris has successfully navigated the "Love Island curse." He’s no longer defined by a show he was on nearly a decade ago. He’s a presenter. He’s a campaigner. He’s a guy who survived the meat grinder of British celebrity culture and came out the other side with his soul intact.
If you’re looking for a blueprint on how to handle fame after reality TV, Chris is it. He didn't try to change who he was; he just found a way to make who he was work for the long haul. Whether he’s at the paddock in Cheltenham or on a red carpet in LA with JoJo, he’s still just Chris from Gloucestershire.
Next Steps for the Fans:
If you want to keep up with what Chris is doing next, you should check out his work with Movember and CALM. He’s constantly pushing for better awareness around men's health. Also, keep an eye on his ITV Racing schedules—even if you don't like betting, his energy makes the sport actually watchable.