Former islanders return to the villa to decide the fate of the remaining couples, sending Joey Essex and Jessy Potts home just a day before the final.
The penultimate episode of Love Island saw a dramatic twist as the islanders faced a difficult decision - their future was no longer in their hands. Former contestants returned to the villa, wielding the power to choose which couple would be sent packing, setting the stage for a tense and emotional showdown.
The islanders were informed that they would be making their decision based on which couple they felt was the least compatible. They had to individually select one of four couples: Ayo Odukoya and Jess Spencer, Matilda Draper and Sean Stone, Joey Essex and Jessy Potts, or Ciaran and Millie.
Joey Essex, known for his appearances on The Only Way Is Essex, was quick to express his displeasure with the situation. He felt that some of the returning islanders had personal grievances and were targeting him unfairly. Despite his vocal complaints, the votes were tallied, and unfortunately for Joey and Jessy, they received the most, with seven votes. Ayo and Jess followed closely behind with four votes.
Host Maya Jama, making a dramatic return to the villa following her recent separation from Stormzy, delivered the news to the islanders. With a mix of shock and disappointment, the remaining couples watched as Joey and Jessy were sent home.
Joey, however, maintained a positive outlook, stating that he was leaving at a "good time." He had experienced a rollercoaster of emotions during his time in the villa and felt he had achieved his goals. He expressed a sense of relief, as his birthday fell on the day of the final, and leaving before then felt fitting.
Prior to the announcement, Maya had unveiled the returning islanders, led by the first dumped contestant of the series, Sam. The group, including notable names like Omar, Harriet, and Hugo, were tasked with choosing the couple they felt least compatible.
Samantha, a recent arrival in the villa herself, shared her reasoning for voting for Joey, claiming that she felt he had a "game plan" and was overly critical of other couples.
With Joey and Jessy eliminated, the remaining couples now face the final showdown on Monday. Will the chosen few be able to walk away with the title of Love Island winners?
Meanwhile, Maya Jama's recent separation from rapper Stormzy has been a topic of much discussion. Sources have revealed that the couple's differing views on their futures were a contributing factor to the split. While Stormzy reportedly desired to settle down, Maya, with her thriving career and love for travel and partying, felt she wasn't ready for such a commitment.
The couple addressed the split with a light-hearted statement, acknowledging the unexpected nature of their announcement. They spoke of falling in love in 2014, separating in 2019, and trying to reconcile in August 2023, ultimately ending their relationship after a year of trying to make things work.
With both Maya and Stormzy moving forward in their individual lives, the focus now shifts back to Love Island and the final episode, where the fate of the remaining couples hangs in the balance.