Since the first reality TV programmes hit screens in the late 1990s the genre has grown hugely in popularity. Now listings contain everything from aspiring musicians chasing their dreams in the name of entertainment to singletons looking for romance in sunny climes - all with the cameras rolling.
The result? A new set of celebrities who are famous for appearing on shows including Big Brother, The X Factor and The Only Way is Essex. But what’s it like being a parent of one of these new-age celebs and having to watch them put their personal reputation on the line for the viewing pleasure of the public?
We spoke to Paula Allen, 50, from Merseyside, whose daughter Gabby appeared on ITV2 dating show Love Island in 2017 - a series which attracted a peak audience of 2.6 million viewers (the most ITV2 has ever achieved). For seven weeks, the show was a part of the national conversation, being discussed by everyone from Jeremy Corbyn to Liam Gallagher and Paula watched on as her daughter was scrutinised by celebrities and members of the public alike.
Post-Love Island Gabby is a TV personality and fashion brand ambassador with over a million Instagram followers. She has gone from being an unknown fitness instructor to appearing on TV shows and magazine covers, attending public appearances and even debating the role of reality programmes at Cambridge University.
Paula tells us what it's been like supporting her daughter through the highs and lows of being a reality TV star.
Gabby Allen (Image: Getty)
It’s daunting – especially when you don’t know the show
The format of Love Island is a group of singletons living together in a villa in Majorca for seven weeks in the name of finding romance. Throughout the series, newly-formed couples are sent home via public votes and the name of the game is to be the final couple remaining. The triumphant pair wins £50,000.
Paula didn’t know about the show until her son Ethan informed her Gabby was going to be in it.
‘He told me “Right mum, this is what she’s done and I’m going to tell you before she tells you. You might not want to watch it but she’s absolutely promised that she won’t disrespect herself. She's hoping to find somebody,"' Paula told us.
‘I told Gabby “be yourself but be careful in what you do.” I’d read all these horror stories…’ Paula added.
The show becomes your life
‘Her friends, her brother and I were running Gabby’s social media accounts while she was on the show. We were really busy sometimes… especially as her followers were building,’ Paula told us.
‘At first Gabby being on the programme was nerve-wracking, then it was exciting, then it became life. We looked forward to watching her on the telly each evening.
‘At 9 o’ clock I felt like I was close to her because she was on the telly - it was bizarre,’ Paula added.
Gabby, Ethan and Paula. (Image courtesy of Paula Allen)
There were some moments I couldn’t watch
At one point in the series, Gabby became visibly emotional because of her lack of self-confidence in her appearance. Her tearful breakdown was something Paula couldn’t watch.
‘I just wanted to get on a plane and go and get her,’ Paula told us.
During difficult moments Paula sought support from her son, as her husband – Gabby’s dad – passed away around five years ago.
‘It was emotional for me because I’d be thinking what he’d be thinking… It’s hard,’ Paula added.
I learned a lot about my daughter
Not many people have a chance to observe their adult children as closely as Paula did over the summer and she says the opportunity allowed her to learn things she never knew about her daughter.
‘Gabby’s always been confident but I was surprised by how much of a good speaker she is, and how logical she can become when she’s got to speak up. I underestimated how bright she was,’ she told us.
‘Even though Gabby is so open with me, there were times where she said things
