Love Island All Stars fans are having a holiday on social media after it was revealed that this year’s winners, Ciaran Davies and Samie Elishi, have split three weeks after leaving the villa.
The couple were crowned winners of the 2026 series at the February 23 final, hosted by Maya Jama, taking home the £50,000 prize after receiving just over 35% of the public vote. They defeated runners-up Millie Court and Zac Woodworth, along with other finalists including Leanne Amaning and Scott van-der-Sluis.
However, the romance quickly faded when they returned to life outside the villa, with sources saying the pair realized they were ‘better off staying friends rather than pursuing things romantically’. Insiders claimed that they struggled to maintain their connection to the real world and simply didn’t have much in common outside of the show. “They made that decision this week,” the source said.
The split has sparked a wave of backlash online, with some viewers accusing Samie of using the reality show to boost her career.
Such speculation increased after Samie was spotted in New York City on a brand trip with fashion retailer River Island along with other reality stars.
She later fueled rumors about her future by posting on Instagram, “I might be moving to New York.”
Others even joked that the winners should give back the £50,000 prize. “Send that 50k to the number two now (sic),” wrote another fan.
A third fan wrote: “Can’t that even last a month? @loveisland should take their prize money, they were playing in your faces for money lol.”
Some fans mocked the short-lived romance, with one writing that the couple “couldn’t even last a month.” One supporter responded in the comments, saying: “Poor ciaran… you just used it.”
“Not that Belle and Harrison will outlast you,” someone else wrote.
However, not everyone agrees with the response. Supporters have defended Samie, pointing out that viewers don’t know what really happened between the pair and claiming the criticism is unfair.
One supporter wrote: “The fact that she was ghosted, her birthday was ignored, she became enraged, her rival came out with a vendetta against her, her friends were dumped one by one, she was asked the toughest questions, she was made to feel like her feelings weren’t valid. Samie’s win felt like social justice. (Belle is an icon too, love them both!)”
Another supporter wrote: “Why is everyone blaming Samie for the split when they have no idea what happened?”
Meanwhile, Ciaran teased fans with another member, Scott van-der-Sluis, and joked about the final verdict. “Think your fellow Welshman is behind you and robs you of your victory,” read a text on a video of the two.
The caption read: “Day at the rugby with @vodafoneuk #NationsNetwork Ps don’t take this seriously.”
Ciaran responded humorously, saying, “I have no control over the votes.”
Another fan also shared his thoughts on the rightful winner. “Scott thought he had it in the bag because the editing was on his side, while Ciaran and Samie’s scenes were erased all last week and poor Belle got the villain montage. Luckily the audience was too smart, saw that Scott and Lucinda were set for victory in a rigged game, and changed the equation by voting right.”
