Barrow Amateur Boxing Club welcomed Love Island star and former professional rugby league player Jacques O'Neill for a workout.

The former pupil of Dowdales School shot to stardom when he appeared on ITV2 for the eighth season of Love Island in 2022.

Jacques returned to his hometown and enjoyed a training session at Barrow Amateur Boxing Club on Brook Street.

The head boxing coach at Barrow ABC Jeff Moses revealed that he has known the rugby player turned celebrity for a ‘long time’ as Jacques grew up training with Askam Amateur Rugby League Club alongside Jeff’s son.

Jacques played junior rugby league for Askam ARLFC before signing to Castleford Tigers. He ended the 2023 season with Sheffield Eagles in the Championship but decided to pursue other opportunities in 2024.

The 24 year old is rumoured to have joined Vision Management with a plan to make his boxing debut before summer as a cruiserweight in the Misfits Boxing arena.

Jeff said the ex-rugby player is ‘getting into boxing’ having joined a gym in Leeds, where he lives and wanted to continue his training while visiting his mum.

At the start of this week he took on a training session that saw him pressing weights in the gym as well as working with Jeff on the pads.

Jeff said: “It’s always nice when we have a bit of a celebrity pop in. It’s a massive boost and provides a bit of a lift for everyone in the gym. It makes the atmosphere more competitive; everyone gives themselves an extra push. I’m obviously very proud he chose my gym.”

The coach joked 'always be wary of a good looking boxer’ and revealed that he expects to see Jacques back at the gym for another couple of workouts.