I’m a former EFL star who retired at 25 to make my way in TV – I’ve produced Love Island and dated Holly Valance
FORMER Brighton forward Jonny Dixon has gone on to produce Love Island and date model Holly Valance.
The Spanish-born attacked retired from football at the age of 25 as he sought out his dream career in the entertainment industry.
Jonny Dixon retired from football at the age of just 25Getty
He played for Wycombe, Aldershot, Brighton, Grays and EastleighPA
Dixon reportedly dated Australian model Holly ValanceGetty
It was a shock decision which came just one year after he joined Brighton from Aldershot for £55,000 in 2008.
But he quickly began to make a name for himself in Hollywood.
And in August 2009 he was spotted in Los Angeles with Australian actress and singer Valance, 40.
While their reported romance did not last long, Dixon’s career in TV and film was only just beginning.
Alongside running a music management business, which he had kept going since 19 when he was still playing football, he has gone on to produce a host of well-known shows.
They include Come Dine with Me, Jodie Marsh on Mail Order Brides, Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents, Don’t Tell the Bride and The Valleys.
But perhaps the most successful programme he has been a part of was the third series of Love Island.
Dixon worked behind the scenes for the edition which earned 2.52million viewers per episode.
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That was an increase of more than one million from series two.
And in 2019 he revealed why he ditched football for the entertainment business.
He told Football365: “It came to a point at Brighton where it just felt like I wasn’t happy in what I was doing, I wasn’t really given a chance by the manager at the time and it just felt like there was something else for me.
“I didn’t know what it would be but I knew I wasn’t happy and when you’re not happy doing what you do then you’re not happy with life, whatever job you do.
“So for me, I decided it was time to move on and try to do something else.”
