New Ross man Dami is hoping to find love on Love Island

New Ross has a new star in Adedamola Adegbefan (AKA Dami Hope), who is lighting up Love Island.

ami (26) entered the show in the hope of finding love and seems to have taken a shine to Indiyah Polack. He is keeping everyone guessing having been seen telling Andrew Le Page that it ‘feels right’ when he is chatting to Indiyah, and he feels something is missing with Amber.

His appearance on the show has not come as a big surprise to his family back in New Ross.

Dami’s sister Cynthia said she and her siblings Abby, Femi, David and Amanda watched the first two episodes together with their parents, Mam Bukola and father, Babajide.

The second eldest in the family, Dami moved to New Ross from Nigeria with his family in 2001. He attended CBS NS and Good Counsel College, where he excelled in many subjects. 

“He was always academic and into sport and used to play basketball with friends.”

The 6ft 3 New Ross man went on to study bioscience with biopharmaceuticals in Carlow IT and has a good job as a microbiologist, while also working as an influencer.

At the time of going on Love Island he had around 50,000 Instagram followers. This number has skyrocketed to over 81,000 today.

Cynthia said her big brother is someone who will try anything. “He knew he wanted to do it. He didn’t think he would get picked but he just tried but when he got it I was a bit surprised. He goes after what he wants with his whole heart.”

Cynthia said her brother was never one to shy away from a camera. “He would love and embrace the attention he is getting.”

The family haven’t gotten to speak with Dami since May 21 when he left to prepare for the latest season of the hugely popular TV show. He is gagged from speaking with the media while the show is ongoing but everyone has gotten to know him over the course of the show so far.

As a family they chat regularly on the family group chat, but only one sister has been able to speak with a go-between on the show to get updates about how her brother is getting on.

“We haven’t been able to talk to him because they took his phone away from him at the start.”

As for how he is doing on Love Island in a villa located in the north-east of Mallorca near Sant Llorenc des Cardassar, Cynthia said the family are very proud of him. “He is getting on good. He is being himself which I am proud of. He is not faking who he is. He is open and honest. He is making new friends and he is getting to know everyone.”

The Wexford man almost instantly became a fan favourite with his quick wit and gentlemanly charm.

Cynthia and the Adegbefan family are confident he can win by being himself. “He is being true to himself. everyone is loving him because he is calm and there is no dramas. Even if he doesn’t I am so proud of how far he has gotten.”

Describing her brother as someone who is outgoing, open and honest, she said if Dami has a problem he will share it with someone. 

“He won’t go behind your back. He would tell you if you have done something wrong. He is bubbly and friendly and welcoming and if you ever need advice or comfort he is there for you.”

Dami returns to New Ross often to visit family but his busy work life means he only gets back for big family occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

Cynthia said she is surprised by some of the comments written about her brother.

“Some of it is lies, like that he only went on the show to make money. It’s not true. People don’t know him and are making assumptions about him, but I am happy we’re seeing him being so open and honest.

“There are pros and cons to social media. I think he will be humble and stay true to himself. He doesn’t seek fame or think that he is better than anyone else.”

She sees her big brother having a family in the future once he finds true love but for now all of the family and all fans of the show in New Ross are rooting for Dami to win.