HIS second stint in the Love Island villa was short-lived, lasting just 72 hours.
But four months on he’s bounced back by starring in his first feature film and has a second coming this summer.
For Jake Cornish, 26, a foray into film was unexpected but is proving an exciting career move.
He relished his cameo role in Bermondsey Tales: Fall of the Roman Empire, which is in cinemas now, alongside household names like Maisie Smith, John Hannah and Linda Robson.
And in August, fans will get to see him flex his acting chops even more as DI Jacobs in Mr Hyde, alongside Adam Astill.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Jake said: “I’ve always loved watching British gangster films, they’re my favourite, like The Business, Snatch, Lock Stock. They’re all like iconic films.
“And when I got asked to be in this film because it’s kind of like a British gangster crime slash comedy. Being part of a cast like that was well, fantastic.
“And yeah, again, I’ve just had another script come through yesterday morning with Ray Winstone. And I’m like, ‘Wow, someone’s looking over me’, you know.”
Jake’s Mr Hyde co-star Astill is a TV veteran having had roles in a plethora of primetime dramas including The Bay, Our Girl, EastEnders, Outlander, Coronation Street, The Bill and more.
The former Islander relished trading lines with the actor, saying: “It’s just being on the same set as him, let alone actually acting with him, was crazy.”
It’s a marked move away from the messy drama of the Love Island villa. Jake received a ‘villain edit’ in his first stint on the show as viewers watched the ups and downs of his romance with Liberty Poole.
He was offered the chance of redemption in the first All Stars series, but when he was once again partnered with Liberty he decided to walk away.
“It was a big thing for me to go back in [Love Island],” he said. “They approached me and it was another opportunity to kind of show people the real me because I was young the first time and it was a lot different.
“Now I’m older and have businesses. I’ve grown up. I’ve done acting. It was kind of going in there with open arms and showing who I am, and then, when I knew it wasn’t right for me, that’s when I said, ‘look, I can’t be here. I can’t do these force kind of conversations’. I felt like I’d just grown up.
“Obviously, I’m always gonna be known as Jake from Love Island. But now I wanna be known as Jake the actor, or Jake the fighter, the boxer.”
FIGHTING MAN
Jake is currently living and breathing boxing, training four times a day, as he prepares for his debut bout.
Though he doesn’t need any additional motivation, the reality star had a spring in his step on Sunday morning after watching Tyson Fury’s Undisputed showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
Ukrainian Usyk won that fight on a split decision following a brutal ninth round in which he nearly forced a stoppage.
Reflecting on the bout, Jake said: “I woke up Sunday morning, and I was like ‘get me in that ring now’. I got the feel again. I got the buzz back.
“But yeah, it was. It was a good fight. I’m just so motivated. I mean, it’s crazy. My life is boxing. And I wake up, I look at videos of boxing technique. And then I go to bed watching boxing videos. So is it quite weird, to be honest you.”
I’m always gonna be known as Jake from Love Island. But now I wanna be known as Jake the actor, or Jake the fighter, the boxer.
Jake Cornish
The dangers of boxing were laid bare last week when Sherif Lawal tragically died in his first professional bout after getting knocked out in the fourth round.
Jake’s all too aware that stepping into the ring is not to be taken lightly.
He said: “I’ve seen it last week and, listen, boxing’s not a game, like you’re going into fight, you can’t shy away from anywhere. It’s just you and him, you and your opponent. That’s it. And that’s why I love boxing, and when I got the call up to go into Misfits, you’re kind of going out your comfort zone.
“I’ve never boxed. I’ve done a bit of training here and there, years ago. Then I did a lot of body building, and then I’ve gone back to boxing, and it’s completely different.
“I’m not allowed to lift any weights. I mean, I haven’t lifted any dumbbells for five weeks now. It’s weird. I’m wasting away. But like I said, boxing is is no game. My trainers, Sonny and Craig, they eat, breathe, sleep boxing. I’m in safe hands.”