Alexander David Lloyd George[2] (born 15 February 1991) is a Welsh physician and television personality who serves as the UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador within the Department for Education.[3] In 2018, he was a contestant on the fourth series of Love Island.
Alex George | |
|---|---|
 George at the British Library in 2022 | |
| UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador | |
| Assumed office 3 February 2021 | |
| Prime Minister | Boris Johnson Liz Truss Rishi Sunak Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Natasha Devon (2016)[a] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Alexander David Lloyd George 15 February 1991[1] Carmarthen, Wales |
| Alma mater | |
| Profession |
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Life and career
editGeorge grew up in Nantgaredig, a village near Carmarthen, Wales.[4] He is the oldest of three children.[5] George studied medicine at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry and graduated in 2015.[6] He went on to work in Emergency Medicine at University Hospital Lewisham in London.[7][8] In 2020, George announced that he would switch to train to become a general practitioner.[9]
In 2018, George appeared in the fourth series of the ITV2 reality dating series Love Island.[10] Following the show, he returned to working part-time at Lewisham whilst also making regular media appearances speaking about mental health on ITV morning shows including Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and Loose Women.
In 2019, George launched his podcast The Waiting Room with Dr Alex in which he interviews other healthcare professionals about topical health and wellbeing issues. Guests have included David Nott.[11]
In July 2020, George's youngest brother Llŷr died by suicide.[12] In January 2021, George launched a campaign requesting the UK Government prioritise mental health amongst children and adolescents, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. During Children's Mental Health Week in February 2021, George met with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who appointed George to the newly created position of Youth Mental Health Ambassador.[3] In addition, George also became a member of the Mental Health in Education Action Group.[5] They will discuss the best way for children to return to education after the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure they receive the support they need.[3]
At his post as Youth Mental Health Ambassador, George will work to improve the support that young people receive regarding their mental health, as well as aid in the shaping and creation of policies to increase the support for students within the education system. George holds a large social media following, which he will use to demonstrate the support currently available whilst working to bring about changes.[3]
In 2021, he joined OnlyFans to post "videos around mental health, self-care and positivity".[13]
In 2022, he purchased four holiday homes in Pembrokeshire to market as holiday lets. After further consideration he decided to use one of the holiday homes to host a Ukrainian family.[14] After posting this on social media he received criticism, with people saying that he was "tone deaf" for buying the holiday homes amid a shortage of affordable houses for local people in Wales. Because of a crisis in second homes in holiday areas in Wales the Welsh language is under threat and communities are being "pushed out" of where they grew up.[15][16]
George later responded, saying that he was planning to rent one of the holiday homes to locals, after the Ukrainian family would not need it anymore. He also said that he would be willing to meet local campaigners on the second homes issue.[15]
George was awarded an honorary doctorate of law on 6 November 2023, in recognition of his work as Youth Mental Health Ambassador from the University of Law. He was awarded an additional honorary degree by the University of Exeter on 18 July 2024 in recognition of his campaign for extra psychological support for young people.[17]
Notes
edit- ^ Mental Health Champion for Schools
References
edit- ^ "Lewisham's Love Island star Dr Alex reflects on turning 30". News Shopper. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ "Alexander David Lloyd GEORGE".
- ^ a b c d "Prime Minister appoints Dr. Alex George as Youth Mental Health Ambassador". 3 February 2021.
- ^ "Who is Dr Alex George and does he have a girlfriend?". Heart. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Love Island's Dr Alex George: 'If my brother had asked for help, would he still be alive?'". The Guardian. 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ "Alexander David Lloyd George". General Medical Council. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
- ^ Ikonen, Charlotte (21 July 2021). "Love Island's Dr Alex George reveals rubbish left on Clapham Common". Wandsworth Guardian.
- ^ "Dr Alex George officially opens new mental health crisis cafe". Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Foundation Trust. 24 January 2019.
- ^ "I am leaving A&E. Dr Alex on changing career". Alex George (YouTube). 23 November 2020.
- ^ Biggs, Jade (22 June 2021). "Love Island's Dr Alex confirms he's in a new relationship". Cosmopolitan.
- ^ "The Waiting Room With Dr Alex on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ "Dr Alex George opens up about losing his younger brother to mental health during lockdown". 14 September 2020.
- ^ Sutton, Megan (22 March 2021). "Love Island's Dr Alex George just made an OnlyFans account". Cosmopolitan.
- ^ "Dr Alex George buys Pembrokeshire holiday home for Ukrainian family". ITV News. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ a b "Love Island star reacts to criticism after buying four Pembrokeshire holiday homes, says he will 'invite a local' to rent one". Nation.Cymru. 5 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ "Second homes: What are the issues in Wales?". BBC News. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ Maddern, Kerra (18 July 2024). "Mental health campaigner Dr Alex George awarded honorary degree by the University of Exeter". News. Retrieved 20 July 2024.