Hey Davey!
I sympathise. Was in your position not so long ago.
But I managed a 'restricted' Class 1 by meeting revalidation limits, which are wider than initial issue. The restriction was to be binned on issue of the CPL.
Try that? It's my way in, though I am limiting risk to my pocket by taking it slow and training in a modular fashion in case my eyeballs drop off a cliff again.
And agree that private flying is where the fun is. I hear it all the time from the pros.
Cap'n Bugsmasher