Love Island star explains relationship with Man Utd star Marcus Rashford – ‘It’s difficult’
Love Island All Stars contestant Grace Jackson has finally broken her silence about her connection with Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford.
The 26-year-old Mancunian model addressed the rumours during a candid conversation in the villa with fellow islander Olivia Hawkins.
“We weren’t dating but we were chatting a little and texting,” Jackson revealed when questioned about her relationship with the Premier League star.
The pair were spotted together in the Cheshire area during 2024 before things ended in late December.
During the villa conversation, Jackson explained their casual encounters to her fellow islanders.
“No we were out in a group having food,” she told Hawkins when pressed about the nature of their relationship.
The model revealed that traditional dating proved challenging for the footballer.
“Its difficult because he can’t go out and just go on a normal date,” Jackson explained.
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She also revealed how Manchester United supporters reacted to their connection, saying she found it all too much.
“All these f*****g United fans were like commenting, thousands of comments on my pictures like, ’cause they loved me,” she said.
“When the article came out he scored two goals and he hadn’t scored for like ages, so they said ‘You fixed him!'”
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Hawkins dubbed this “the Grace effect.”
Jackson explained how media attention ultimately affected their connection.
“If it would have been a bit different, because he couldn’t really date so he’d be like ‘I wanna see you, just come to mine and chill with me’ but I’m like, ‘I don’t really wanna,'” she revealed.
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The model disclosed she had a prior connection to Rashford’s family.
“I’ve known his brother since I was like 17,” she said, adding that while his brother was understanding about the media coverage, “it just changed the vibe a bit cause everyone knew and there wasn’t anything to know.”
Jackson is currently coupled up with Luca Bish in the Love Island All Stars villa after choosing him over Kaz Crossley.
This marks her second appearance on the show, following her stint last summer as a bombshell contestant.
During her previous appearance, she had a brief romance with Joey Essex, who left Samantha Kenny to reunite with Jackson following their earlier holiday fling.
She later paired with Reuben Collins, though their relationship didn’t continue outside the villa.