Francesca Allen has lifted the lid on her time in Love Island, including how she dealt with the frosty reception she received upon entering the villa. 

Earlier in the series, Francesca was one of the bombshells who arrived when the main set of contestants had already bedded inM and has admitted she “didn’t have the warmest of welcomes” after finding herself in a love triangle with Curtis Pritchard and Maura Higgins.

“I struggled quite a lot when I first went in there,” she told the Daily Mail, recalling one evening in particular when she felt “really overwhelmed”.

“But Anna [Vakili] said, ‘You’ve got so much to give as a girlfriend and person, so much so to give, you’re so lovely and nice’. It made me cry.

“I got really emotional, it was me being so kind and recognising that I’m not horrible or out to steal your man, it was so hostile in the beginning.”

“It was a shame it took them a little while to warm to me,” Francesca continued. “I’m not a horrible person – I would always make everyone and anyone feel welcome.”

When India Reynolds and Harley Brash arrived, Francesca says she made sure they felt welcome. 

“It was a different vibe for them [compared to] when I came in, a different situation,” she said. “I was interested in someone that someone else was interested in, they both liked Ovie [Soko].

“The girls were a bit more welcoming than they were to me, they were excited Ovie was going to have two girls who liked him, it hadn’t happened yet. Different situation, different reception, I’m glad they got it, having my one wasn’t the best… you don’t want that.”

Francesca left the show alongside Michaels Griffiths on Sunday night. 

With just days to go until the Love Island finale, the villa is still pretty packed but at least one couple will leave in an elimination that airs tonight (Wednesday 24 June).

Love Island continues on ITV2 at 9pm.