REALITY STAR POWER

IT all started with a skateboarding, lesbian-ex nun.

- BY LARISSA NOLAN

That was 25 years ago and now Anna Nolan will always be known as the first Irish reality TV star.

Plenty have followed in her footsteps since - most notably Maura Higgins.

While she didn’t win Love Island in 2019, she immediately owned the show by proclaiming she had the “fanny flutters” for date Tommy Fury.

Her Irish accent was a hit with audiences, who found her Midlands phrases and twang appealing.

Maura, 34, from Ballymahon, Co Longford, has had commercial partnerships, modelling work and TV work which helped her to a €4million fortune.

Now, Irish eyes are on two home-grown contestants being tipped for the top in the latest series of Love Island.

Megan Forte Clarke, 24, originally from Dublin, says she is flattered fans of the show are comparing her to Maura; while Limerick rugby player Conor Phillips says he is looking for someone who is “up for the craic”.

As they get ready to find love in the villa, we take a look back at Ireland's reality TV hall of fame.

ANNA NOLAN

It is almost 25 years since Anna Nolan entered the Big Brother house.

It was the first ever UK Big Brother and so, nobody knew what to expect of this social experiment.

Housemates like Anna, who was 29 at the time, didn't even know if anyone was watching - but it was a huge success and a landmark TV moment.

Irish viewers had a reason to tune in - we had the charming, down-to-earth Anna to root for. Describing herself as a “lesbian ex-nun” she came close to victory, finishing second to Craig Phillips.