Fans of First Dates – and those with a hideously nerdy knowledge of Big Brother – were shocked to see Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace appear on the dating show.
Aisleyne shot to fame in 2006 when she appeared in Big Brother series 7 and finished third. Since then, she’s done sporadic TV work on a host of minor celeb shows while wisely investing her money in the property industry.
Although the 38-year-old was initially mocked by viewers it soon became evident that Aisleyne had suffered heartbreaking trauma when it came to finding love and settling down with a family.
Here’s the story of how she lost four of her unborn babies due to a genetic disorder.
Meeting the Real Aisleyne
Aisleyne opened up about the stereotypes that have followed ever since appearing on BB.
She explained that people often judge her as a “Barbie doll” that just wants to be famous and to “get her boobs out”.
At least she found the funny side when admitting that there was the odd topless modelling shoot back in the noughties!
How Aisleyne Got Rich
The throwback Big Brother star invested all of her money from quickfire fame into the property industry, spending the cash from topless modelling shoots with lads’ magazines like Nuts maturely and wisely.
She now owns a multi-million-pound fortune including property stakes in luxury homes, hotels and her own mansion worth £4.2 million.
In a 2017 interview with The Sun, Aisleyne explained her strategy towards getting rich:
I knew I had to have that fall back plan because you can’t rely on the celebrity world because you’re hot one minute and no one cares the next.
The Money-Making Timeline
- Big Brother
- Glamour modelling
- Property investment
- Reality TV and panel show appearances
- Clothing range Unique by Aisleyne
- Nightclub appearances
- Calendar release in 2007
- Big Brother magazine columnist
- Autobiography: Aisleyne: Surviving Guns, Gangs and Glamour
- Miss Universe judge
- Fitness camp: Aisleyne’s Booty Camp
- Fitness app: Aisleyne 7 Minute Workout
- Radio hosting
- First Dates
Darren and Aisleyne’s Family Chat
Aisleyne met fellow 38-year-old Darren, touted by Fred Sirieix as a Jason Statham lookalike the moment he walked through the door.
The pair had an instant connection and clicked over dinner with some free-flowing banter. Darren even got on the blower to his date’s nan!
However, the theme of family brought up a lot of painful memories for Aisleyne.
In her 20’s, she had a 10-year relationship that eventually broke down following four unsuccessful attempts to give birth.
Aisleyne was diagnosed with rhesus negative, where the blood attacks anything foreign within the body.
She said:
I completely shut off from love. Money can’t leave you, money can’t die. So I thought I would chase money instead of love.
Fortunately, she can have babies in the future.
Darren and Aisleyne agreed to a second date although there was no catch-up footage as to whether they continued dating or not.
WATCH FIRST DATES EVERY MONDAY NIGHT ON CHANNEL 4, AT 10 PM.