An accounts manager from Medway has his hopes set on becoming the next star of dating show Love Island – despite having a long-term girlfriend.

James Whitley, who lives in St Mary’s Island, Chatham, has decided to apply for the hit ITV2 series.

The programme sees young good-looking singles stay in a luxury villa as they battle it out to win over the public vote. More than 2.4 million people tuned into the finale earlier this month – the highest viewing figures in ITV2’s history.

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James said he decided to apply after he failed in all of his applications to become a Premier League football club manager.

He said: “To be honest I’ve applied for every single football manager’s position for all the clubs in the Premier League and even the Championship but I haven’t been given a single interview, despite my commendable determination and commitment.

“Therefore I jokingly said to my girlfriend ‘I may as well apply for Love Island’, to which she replied ‘you stand zero chance of getting on the show, let alone winning it’.

VIDEO: James' audition tape

“So, in an attempt to prove her wrong, I’ve applied.”

The 32-year-old claims he made it through to the latter stages of the auditions to be the next Milk Tray man but was unable to make the last interview, which he believes gives him the right pedigree to be a Love Island contestant.

“Personally I think I’d cruise it and have all the requirements to be a roaring success on the show," he said.

“I’m not overly intelligent, I am extremely vain, in great shape and believe I’m vastly more attractive than I actually am.

"If I could watch me every evening I would, so I’m sure the nation would love to see me on their screens.”

James included in his application a video of himself playing with his dog at home, with an unknown person behind the camera – possibly his girlfriend, who declined to speak to KentOnline.

Love Island applications are open now and will close in April 2018 for a fourth series next summer, but recent reports suggest bosses are considering a winter edition, starting in January.