The Love Island mansion was rocked during Friday night’s episode as islanders went into shock – after the arrival of two new bombs.
It was the end of the road for Martin Akinola as he was kicked off the South African show after being the only islander not selected during the reboot.
With the final decision resting with his former flame, Tanya Manhenga, she decided to save the resurrected beau Shaq Muhammed – and leave Martin alone.
While it wasn’t ideal timing for Claudia Fogerty, she was ripped away from her partner Casey O’Gorman when they were both chosen by the newcomers.
New girl Rosie Seabrook had made it very clear earlier in the day her interest in Casey, who admitted to his partner’s dismay that he was keen to explore the connection.
Home time: Love Island’s Martin was thrown out of the villa in shock during Friday night’s episode
Torn apart: While it wasn’t ideal timing for Claudia Fogerty, she was torn away from partner Casey O’Gorman when they were both chosen by the newcomers
Stolen: New girl Rosie Seabrook had the boys first dibs during the reunion and settled on Casey – who she had expressed an interest in from the start
The reconnection came after Claudia had already had an emotional day in which she told Casey she was closed off about meeting anyone else – while he admitted he wasn’t.
After the news that he was about to meet Rosie, who had just entered the villa, Claudia broke down in tears while being comforted by the girls.
Rosie arrived at the mansion alongside new boy Keanan Brand, who had taken Samie Elishi and Jessie Wynter out on dates upon entering, but had also expressed an interest in Claudia.
But the feelings didn’t appear to be reciprocated, as Claudia appeared to be attuned to Casey as she became emotional about his openness to exploration.
The islanders then received a shocking text message telling them to gather around the fire pit, where they were then told a recoupling was taking place.
And Rosie and Keanan came out on top first, as they got to make their choices before the rest of the girls chose which boy they wanted to hook up with.
The latter went first, who shared that he wanted to get to know Claudia better and reconnected with her.
Rosie then settled on Casey, which left Claudia emotional when she realized the couple had been separated from the new arrivals.
Bad timing: The reconnection came after Claudia had already had an emotional day in which she revealed to Casey that she was closed off about meeting anyone else – while he admitted he wasn’t
Making his move: New boy Keanan had first choice and chose to get to know Claudia better when he took her from Casey’s market
Tense: After the bombs made their decision, it was the boys on the chopping block since whoever was not chosen by a girl was sent home
Sticking together: Unsurprisingly, Lana Jenkins chose beau Ron Hall when she gave a sweet speech for the financial adviser she’s been working with for a few weeks
Getting closer: Olivia Hawkins was happy to be re-coupled with Maxwell Samuda as the couple continued their budding romance
Unable to hide her disappointment, she wiped away a tear while trying to hold it together during the reconnection.
Unsurprisingly, Lana Jenkins then went with Ron Hall when she gave a sweet speech for the financial advisor she’s been working with for a few weeks.
Olivia Hawkins was happy to be re-coupled with Maxwell Samuda as the couple continued their budding romance.
Samie and Jessie revealed that Casa Amor was water under the bridge as they reconnected with their respective partners Tom Clare and Will Young.
While Sanam apparently made it clear that she and Kai Fagan were going in the right direction when she chose to be the PE teacher.
Last but not least, Tanya stood in front of her with her two love interests, Shaq and Martin.
The biomedical sciences student was coupled with Shaq from day one of the show before turning heads with Martin during Casa Amor.
Though she returned him to the main mansion, the duo quickly fizzled out when she rekindled things with Shaq – and expressed her love for him during the reunion speech when she left Martin alone.
On the way home, Martin maintained it as he admitted to his fellow islanders: “I won’t say it was the best experience, but it wasn’t, it’s among the best. Tanya, no hard feelings, you did nothing wrong.’
Back on track: Jessie Wynter proved she was willing to work for her romance with Will Young when she moved away from Casa Amor
Sweet: Samie Elishi and Tom Clare had a similar experience, the latter seems to have proven himself after a bump
Undeterred: While Sanam apparently made it clear that she and Kai Fagan were going in the right direction when she chose to be the PE teacher
Time to decide: Last but not least, Tanya Manhenga stood in front of her with her two love interests, Shaq Muhammad and Martin
Keep your distance: She had brought Martin back during the last reconnection but has since reignited her romance with Shaw
Honestly: On the way home, Martin kept it up as he admitted to his fellow islanders: “I won’t say it was the best experience, but it wasn’t, it’s among the best.”
He then corrected himself by adding, “Well actually you did a few things wrong. But it is okay’.
Fans were disappointed to see Martin go and couldn’t help but praise his honest exit – taking to Twitter to express their sadness at his departure.
One called him a “hero” and wrote: “Well that was the best ending ever. Martin, you are a hero”.
Another added: “Martin made the show bearable this week.” A third wrote: “If this had been Big Brother, Martin would have won with 99.9% of the vote.”
Hero: Fans were disappointed to see Martin leaving and couldn’t help but praise his honest departure – taking to Twitter to express their sadness at his departure
LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS
Tanya Manhenga
Name: Tanya Manhenga
Age: 22
Location: Liverpool
Profession: student and model
Something not many people know about her: “I have vitiligo, which is skin pigmentation that you might not even notice.”
“It’s on my lip and I have a streak in my hair. Not many people know that, but I think it’s pretty cute.”
“I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a mood.”
Lana Jenkin
Name: Lana Jenkins
Age: 25
Location: Luton
Profession: makeup artist
What not many people know about her: “I have worked with many celebrities in my work as a make-up artist.
“When I was 6 years old I lived in Spain and was an extra in an episode of Benidorm.”
Tanyel Revan
Name: Tanyel Revan
Age: 26
Location: North London
Profession: hairdresser
Something not many people know about her: “My celebrity crush is Channing Tatum — I don’t like pretty boys, they give me the ‘ick’ because they always have a crappy personality.”
“Channing Tatum is handsome but not too pretty. He’s male and he can dance.”
“If a man can dance, I fall in love with him instantly.”
Olivia Hawkin
Name: Olivia Hawkins
Age: 27
Location: Brighton
Profession: ring girl and actress
Something not many people know about her: “I did a movie with Jason Statham and had a nice 10 minute conversation about life.”
“I was a ring girl for KSI, I played a waitress on James Bond with Daniel Craig, and I was also a body double for Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson.”
Tom Klara
Name: Tom Klara
Age: 23
Location: Barnsley
Profession: Semi-professional soccer player
What not many people know about him: I’m a fan of High School Musical
Name: Samie Elishi
Age: 22
Location: London
Profession: Senior coordinator for real estate agents
What not many people know about her: “I’m a really honest person and I don’t have a filter. I won’t take trash from anyone, especially when it comes to boys!’
Name: Maxwell Samuda
Age: 23
Location: London
Profession: finance student and restaurant manager
Who did he have his eye on at Casa Amor? Samie. She’s keeping it real and she doesn’t seem afraid to speak her mind.
Name: Rosie Seaford
Age: 24
Location: Buckinghamshire
Profession: Industrial Internship Advisor
Something not many people know about her: “I have a really bad phobia of frozen food, I can’t touch frozen food.”
Kai Fagan
Name: Kai Fagan
Age: 24
Location: Manchester
Profession: Science and physical education teacher
What not many know about him: “I am a Jamaican citizen. That’s why I played rugby 7s for Jamaica.
“I now play semi-professional rugby for Burnage RFC.”
“Technically, I have three different degrees and went to three different universities.”
Ron Hall
Name: Ron Hall
Age: 25
Location: Essex
Profession: financial advisor
Something not many people know about him: “If you met me, you would never know that I am blind in one eye.”
“It was the result of a soccer injury when I was 8 years old. I have two different colored eyes, one blue and one green.”
will young
Name: Will Young
Age: 23
Location: Buckinghamshire
Occupation: farmer
What not many people know about him: “Every evening I light a candle and meditate for 20-25 minutes.”
“A girl I met told me to meditate, I tried it and loved it. I stopped seeing them and continued meditating!
“It’s a beautiful way to reflect on yourself.”
Shaq Muhammad
Name: Shaq Muhammad
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: airport security officer
What not many people know about him: “I’m a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse.’
“Every time I see Dear John, I cry.
This is my favorite movie. Every time I’m with someone and they say, “Let’s watch a romantic movie,” I say, “How about Dear John, how does that sound?”
Jessie Wynter
Name: Jessie Wynter
Age: 26
Location: Sydney
Profession: personal trainer
Something you might not know about her: she was in the second series of Love Island Australia
Name: Casey O’Gorman
Age: 26
Location: Triing
Profession: HR consultant
What not many people know about her: “I’m really squeamish. I cut my hand once and passed out.
Name: Sanam Harrinanan
Age: 24
Location: Bedford
Occupation: social worker
Who did she have her eye on at Casa Amor? “Kai is my number one. Job wise I think we would socialize a lot and I think it’s cute!
Name: Keanan Brand
Age: 24
Location: Wigan
Profession: Professional rugby player
Something he would put on his dating profile: “I’m of Irish descent so I always have the luck of the Irish with me.”
