Braintree's Alex Miller has told The Times how much his life has changed after entering the Love Island villa.

Speaking at a visit to Braintree's Specsavers store, in High Street, the 28-year-old said the weeks since being booted off the show have been "crazy".

The former Alec Hunter student also said his search for love is ongoing and admitted he is struggling to find the time to date.

Alex said: "It has been absolutely crazy since I got out but I am loving every minute at the moment.

"It is hard and I'm being pulled from pillar to post.

"But it has been really good fun meeting lots of people since."

ITV2's show is a nationwide phenomenon, with 3.6 million viewers tuning in to watch July 30th final.

And Alex, who won Specsavers' Spectacle Wearer of the Year in October, is having to get used to the press being interested in his private life.

He said: "The paparazzi have been following me and I am getting recognised by people in the street.

"The other day I was in Tesco in Braintree and ten people asked me for a photo.

"I loved it on the island - I wouldn't have changed anything I did in there.

"Winning the glasses competition boosted my profile a bit and I was approached to go on the show.

"If I hadn't have won the competition I would not have been on the show so I am grateful to Specsavers for that."

The structural glazier has taken a break from work to explore other opportunities, but says he still plans to return at some point in the future.

"I would like to get some work within the media world and perhaps have a go at presenting," he said.

"I would love to host a DIY show as that is what I know."

He didn't finding love during his relatively brief stay on the island, but he says he made some good friends.

"We have all met up since we left the island. I have spoken to everyone since - even Megan.

"To be honest I haven't really got time for much of a love life at the moment."

Miraj Patel, opthalmic director at Specsavers in Braintree, said Alex was a very welcome sight in the store.

He said: "It is good for us to have someone famous locally who comes in to the store.

"People recognise him, and if he is choosing frames from our store people think they have got to be good.

"One of the issues we want to promote is people getting their eyes tested, Alex is a good person to promote that."

Alex will be be a judge at this year's Spectacle Wearer of the Year Awards.