Gabby Allen | Celebs Go Dating 2026

Why did you want to sign up to another dating show?

This is just very different to Love Island altogether. With Love Island there’s no direction, you kind of just go in there, you don't get to choose the guys that come through the door. And whilst I had a really good and positive experience both times, Celebs Go Dating has been a lot more intimate with my individual journey and how I date, why I date the people that I do and why I make certain decisions. So that's why I chose to do it because it was more about me and my journey and helping me grow. Listen, I'm 34 and I'm still dating so I need a bit of help!

Were you nervous about putting your love life in the hands of experts? 

No, what I found interesting was how they pick things out from watching me, from their perspective to then match me with people for dates. I leant into it and just thought, ‘you know, they are experts at what they do. There's a reason why they're saying these things or making these decisions based on what they've seen from me and how I've been performing on my dates’. So yeah, it's nerve-wracking. But also I thought why not? I'm not really a seasoned dater anyway, on the outside world. I haven't been on many dates in my life, to be honest. And the ones that I have been on obviously haven't worked out in the best way. So why not get some expert help?

Do you think we'll see a different side to you on this show as it is more authentic to you?

I think they're gonna see a much more fun side of me because we go on dates, we drink spicy margaritas, we sing karaoke, we go down water slides and I've just had so much fun filming this that I hope that people have fun watching.

Do you talk about what happened between you and Casey?

Me and Casey are absolutely fine. Nothing really ever happened for us to break up. It just didn't work, it just wasn't what we had in the villa. I know that people get so frustrated with that when they watch the show and obviously they vote for you to win. But the reality is, when you're living in the Love Island villa it is so different to the everyday world.

People will be wondering why you even need help, surely you’ve got plenty of offers?

Honestly, I wish that was the case, but it is not, it's very hard. I actually think it's quite difficult to meet people. I think it's a case of patience, I suppose, to make sure that it's the right person. I'm not gonna like just fall into something just because it's the next best thing that comes along. It needs to be right. I'm ready to be with somebody properly and build a life with them.

What did you tell the agents you’re looking for in a partner? 

To be honest, I didn't come in and say I want to go for older guys. I said that possibly might be where I'm going wrong because everybody that I date seems to be younger than me. I'm not ageist. I don't think it's fair to say that somebody's not ready. If they are, depending on their age, it all comes with life experience, you know, goals, there's so many different fundamentals that come with it that you could be 40 and still not have any of those things. So it's not necessarily down to age, but they are the things that I look for. I understand if someone's younger, they won't have as much life experience, but being able to share morals and values about what you've dealt with before and emotional intelligence, having your own stuff going on so you have your passion, your drive. There's nothing sexier than somebody that is driven and passionate about something. Could be anything but just something that they know is their purpose. And then looks wise, I like them to be tall, let's be honest. I’d like them to train because it's such a huge part of my life. I’d love somebody that looks after themselves and wants to adventure with me.

What puts you off?

So many things! You know what gave me the ick the other day, this is the most random thing, but you know when a man wears a suit jacket and sits down with the button still closed? I totally got the ick. No, but jokes aside, I need somebody that is as nice to you as they are to everybody around you, just a respectable person. There's nothing worse than when someone's rude or kind of nonchalant to a waiter. I hate that because I spent so many of my years as a waitress. I experienced it. So be nice to the waiters and waitresses, for god's sake.

The agents organised a dinner party with a loved one to lift the lid on what might be going wrong for you, what was that like?

Oh my god, I was not ready. Anna actually said to me the other day, ‘you could see that you were like a deer in headlights’, because I've seen the show before and it's never been done before. So I was like, ‘oh my god, what have I done?’ That was really challenging because it was a lot more intense than I thought it was gonna be. And then the mixers, the first one that we went into, it's so intense because all of these men are in a room and they are there to talk to you. And I thought I would thrive in that environment, but I absolutely shit myself!

Have there been any bizarre moments on your dates?

I cannot wait for the first episode to come out when my first date walks into the bar holding a goldfish and I was like, 'is this actually happening to me right now?’ I won't spoil it because people need to watch it, but he said some outrageous stuff, which left me literally like, I can't believe that this is happening. It was outrageous in a way I think he was trying to flirt with me. Some of the stuff he was saying. I was like, ‘this is doing the absolute opposite;, but you know what, I have to give it to him, he was absolutely hilarious and his goldfish broke the ice! He definitely settled me into the agency. I think the agents have done really well because all the guys that I've met have been lovely and I feel like they will make great partners for different people. It's just about finding who's right for you.

Have you learnt anything about yourself that you perhaps didn't know before you started at the agency? 

Before this I thought I was dating with intention but this has taught me to be a lot more assertive with how I am approaching situations. Whilst you don't wanna be boring and not have fun on your dates and enjoy the person's company, it's definitely important to get to know them before it's date five and then you're like, ‘oh my God, I actually don't know anything about this person’. I just need to learn that faster and not waste any time because I've done that before and learnt the hard way where I’ve literally known this person for three months and don't know anything about them. You’ve got to go deep and not just surf! If I’m dating intentionally then I need to ask the right questions so you don't waste your time. 

How would you sum up your time at the agency?

It's been a roller coaster. I've learned a lot about myself on the way. There's definitely been peaks and troughs, but I feel like I'm coming out the other side with so much more knowledge about myself and patience and way more self-esteem. They really built my self-esteem up, and that was one of the things that they said to me at the beginning. That I seem like I am such a confident person, I really present myself confidently, the way I dress, the way I work, everything, but not my self-esteem. And that's probably because of my previous relationships. But I do feel like the agents and the other cast and also the guys that have dated too have really built that up. So I'm really grateful for it. SAS made me a bad ass and this show has just cemented that.

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