New Love Island bombshell Rebecca Gormley hiding secret heartache as dementia-sufferer granddad no longer recognises her

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LOVE Island’s Rebecca Gormley is hiding her hidden heartache as her dementia-stricken granddad no longer recognises her.

The 21-year-old model, who set pulses racing in last night’s Dirty Dancing challenge, opened up about her family’s pain at seeing granddad Less deteriorate over the past three years.

Rebecca Gormley was crowned Miss Newcastle in 2018

Former Miss Newcastle Rebecca joined the Alzheimers Society last year, telling News Guardian: “My granddad Les began his journey with dementia three-and-a-half years ago and it has been very difficult for the family.

“Its hard for us to see the way he is now compared to how he used to be. Dementia has taken over him and hes just not the same person.

“Most of the time when I visit him he doesnt recognise me and I have to remind him that Im his granddaughter.

“But its even worse for my gran Phyllis, who is also his carer. There are times when he calls her mam and she has to explain that shes his wife.

The 21-year-old has entered Love Island as a bombshell

“Its so sad to witness because I have such lovely memories of him when I was younger.

“He was always singing and would make silly duck noises just to make me laugh.”

Rebecca has joined the Alzheimers Society as a volunteer, and said: “Im delighted to have become a volunteer as dementia is a condition I have personal experience of.”

The gorgeous 21-year-old is a part-time model and carer from Newcastle.

She was crowned Miss Newcastle in 2018 and came sixth in Miss England 2019.

Rebecca described herself as fun, loud, outgoing, fearless and spontaneous before heading into Love Island.

She says that her worst habit is “looking people up and down and not realising – I give the wrong impression but Im usually just checking out what theyre wearing.”

Rebecca Gormley is heading to the Love Island Villa