My Geordie spirit helped me to win

Jun 28 2005 By The Evening Chronicle

Celebrity Love Island winner, Jayne Middlemiss, has said her Geordie roots helped her through trouble in paradise.

The TV presenter, from Bedlington, has revealed the show has been a life changing experience since she scooped the £50,000 prize, along with fellow winner Fran Cosgrave.

Speaking for the first time since she won the reality romance show, set on an island in Fiji, Jayne admitted how close she had been to walking out.

She said: "There were a few times when I was on the verge of quitting. But I thought of the Tyne Bridge and everyone in Newcastle, and I thought: They'll kill me if I walk out."

Jayne's retired parents, Janet and Tom, eagerly watched romance blossom and love triangles develop on the show, every night from their Bedlington home.

The star has already splashed out on a new car for her parents with the winnings.

Jayne, 34, said: "They're driving around in this old car. I've told my dad not to go mad - it's not a Mercedes! I really want them to get a Mini like mine.

"Winning is so overwhelming. It still hasn't sunk in. I've never really believed in myself and always went to other people for their opinions. Now I think I've got my own life."

As soon as Jayne arrived back at her Hampsted home, in London, she realised the show had changed her life.

Viewers watched as Jayne swapped yoga and healthy food for champagne guzzling, smoking and demanding bacon sandwiches.

She said: "I was so controlled before I went in there. I didn't eat wheat, got up at 6.30am to do yoga, went to bed early, didn't drink, didn't smoke.

"I was very healthy, very controlled but I wasn't having that much fun to be honest.

"Now I'll still do the yoga but I've relaxed into life. I've embraced it with both arms. Come on, I can't let the Geordies down."