Olivia Buckland EXCLUSIVE: Star advises Amber and Greg to 'remember why they're together'

Olivia Buckland has advised Love Island winners Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea to 'remember why they're together' after winning the fifth series of the reality show.

The TV star, 25, finished as runners-up with her now husband Alex Bowen, 27, in 2016 and admitted they 'barely saw each other' immediately after the show ended.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Olivia said: 'The best advice I can give is to remember why you’re together. They’re going to have so much stuff thrown at them.

Olivia Buckland has advised Love Island winners Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea to 'remember why they're together' after winning the fifth series of the reality show

'If you remember to think about each other and have your own private time because it is going to be really hard.

'When Alex came out, he did about 150 personal appearances and we barely saw each other. Your life does do a one-eighty.'

While she acknowledged it's 'hard to know' at this early stage, Olivia reckons Amber and Greg could go the distance like her and Alex.

She said: 'Me and Alex, people had doubts about us. It’s hard to tell at the start but from what I see, they get on well, they have a laugh and they trust each other.

Olivia said: 'The best advice I can give is to remember why you’re together. They’re going to have so much stuff thrown at them'

'If you look at your group of friends, not everyone stays with their partner the whole time. It’s the same with Love Island. They’ve got a very exciting time ahead of them.'

Olivia had been backing beauty therapist Amber and rugby player Greg to win the show as soon as they coupled up.

She said: '[Love Island] has a special place in my heart because I was on it. It brings back so much nostalgia for me.

'I wanted Amber and Greg to win and they won so I was so happy. This series was slower at the start but once we got the know the people, you get sucked in.'

Couple: Olivia finished as runner-up with her now husband Alex Bowen in 2016 and admitted they 'barely saw each other' immediately after the show ended (pictured in November 2018)

Speaking about life post-show, the TV star said it's 'vital' that this year's Love Islanders have a solid support system around them as they return to their everyday lives.

While some past contestants have gone on to great success, Olivia admitted it's not a guarantee.

She said: 'I’m sure they’ve seen whats happened on the past few Love Islands so I’m sure they’re ready for their life to change.

'It’s important to remember who you were before you went in. Some people will do really well but others may not and you do compare yourself.

'It’s good to remember who you have around you Keep your family and friends close. It will be difficult.

'I’ve had conversations with people online about mental health and Love Island and it’s good to speak to your family and friends, that’s vital.'

Help: Olivia said it's 'vital' that this year's Love Islanders have a solid support system around them as they return to their everyday lives (pictured in April 2019)

Olivia found putting up with comments from online trolls attacking her physical appearance to be one of the most difficult things to contend with when she left the show.

She said: 'The hardest thing was people commenting on what I look like. I remember getting told I had really wonky teeth or that I looked like I smelled.

'That was really hard to get used to. You’re not used to being in the public eye and that was definitely the hardest part.'

Favourite: Olivia had been backing beauty therapist Amber and rugby player Greg to win the show as soon as they coupled up

Olivia and Alex tied the knot last year and will be celebrating their one-year anniversary in September.

She said: 'I can’t believe it’s been that quick. We’re so excited and can’t believe it’s been a year.

'We’re going to go to Santorini for our anniversary. We’re filming our show at the moment so that’s taking up a lot of time.'

The couple are returning to the small screen with their reality show Olivia and Alex: Happily Ever After for TLC.

'It’s hard having a camera crew with you the whole time,' she said. 'It is weird and it’s a big change.

'But we were sort of thinking about doing it for a long time. It’s fun-loving. There’s not too much drama but always a little bit.'

Show: Olivia and her other half are returning to the small screen and have been filming a reality show called Olivia and Alex: Happily Ever After for TLC.

Olivia is an ambassador for the UK Malibu Games alongside Gabby Allen, Sam Thompson and Ian Harper.

The games are coming to Liverpool’s Great Baltic Warehouse with contestants taking part in tropical themed games from Wednesday August 7 to Sunday August 11.

Early Bird tickets are available to buy now at www.maliburumdrinks.com.