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PE teacher Hugo Hammond is Love Island's first ever disabled contestant.
The sports lover, 24, was born with club foot and braved multiple operations as a child, but explained it's now only possible to spot when he walks barefoot, because he walks 'slightly' on his tiptoes.
Hugo, who is among the first confirmed islanders for the 2021 series, has travelled the world playing cricket for England PD (Physical Disability) and now teached PE to secondary school children.
Club foot (also called talipes) is where a baby is born with a foot or feet that turn in and under.
Meet Hugo: PE teacher Hugo Hammond, 24, is Love Island's first ever disabled contestant
Explaining his disability, Hugo said: 'I was born with clubfoot. I had lots of operations when I was a kid.
'You can only really tell when I walk barefoot. I've got a really short achilles heel. I walk slightly on my tip toes.'
But the Hampshire-based hunk has gone on to represent his country, revealing: 'I've actually played cricket for England PD (Physical Disability). I've been to Bangladesh, Dubai, I've been everywhere to play cricket.'
And Hugo's love of sports guided him to his job, teaching secondary school PE, which he's extremely passionate about.
Club foot: Hugo was born with club foot and braved multiple operations as a child, but said it's now only possible to spot when he walks barefoot, because he walks 'slightly' on his tiptoes
He enthused: 'Absolutely love my job. I love all my sports. It's great to be able to pass on that enthusiasm to be physically active to the younger generation and hopefully they feel the same about me teaching them.
Explaining what made him want to take part in Love Island, Hugo admitted: 'I've been single for a while now. With the current climate, it's been really hard to get back into dating.
'I saw it as an opportunity to have an amazing fun summer and put myself back out there.'
Hugo's last girlfriend was Milly Simons, who he posted to Instagram about enjoying a date night with back in September 2020.
Hugo will have to quarantine when he reaches Majorca, as will all cast and crew, to comply with Covid-19 safety measures.
The pandemic resulted in last year's summer series being postponed and fans are eagerly awaiting the new series following the ITV2 juggernaut's extended break.
It's rumoured the British series may experience a crossover with its US counterpart, as both are being filmed at the same time, but bosses have yet to confirm the audacious move to ensure plot surprises are kept under-wraps.
Each confirmed contestant will be given thorough psychological and medical assessments by health experts before, during and after the series as part of the show's duty of care protocols.
And every Islander must
