Love Island season 10 champions Sammy Root and Jess Harding captured the nation's hearts in 2023, but their romance proved short-lived. Despite their victory, the couple announced their split a mere two months after leaving the villa, a story that has resurfaced as both have returned to the ITV2 series separately.
The Rocky Road From Villa Victory to Break-Up
Their time on the show was famously tumultuous, filled with bickering as they worked to salvage their connection. Against the odds, the public voted them the winners in July 2023. However, by September of that same year, their relationship was over. The split played out publicly, with both parties offering their perspectives on what went wrong.
Sammy Root was the first to address the news on Instagram, expressing his desire for a face-to-face conversation to try and save the relationship. He stated he felt a respectful in-person talk was needed, but circumstances prevented it. He praised Jess as an "amazing woman" and wished her well, confirming his genuine belief in their future after their "incredible experience" winning the show.
Jess Harding's Side and the Phone Call Fallout
Jess Harding took a more concise approach during an Instagram Q&A, simply stating they were "very different and behave differently." The fuller picture emerged later when Sammy appeared on the Staying Relevant podcast with Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks. He revealed the final split happened over the phone while Jess was in Ibiza.
Sammy explained that the intense pressure after the show had been challenging, with Jess reportedly struggling more with the spotlight. He described a pattern of heated arguments where they would say "we're done" and then reconcile. The third time, however, proved final. Sammy said he expected to discuss it properly when Jess returned, but instead woke up a few days later to find the split reported in the press.
Life After the Split: All Stars Appearances
Both islanders have since returned to the franchise that made them famous. Sammy Root entered the Love Island All Stars villa in 2025 as a bombshell contestant. Now, in 2026, Jess Harding is set to do the same, marking her return to the show.
Jess has even addressed the potential for an awkward reunion in the villa, showing a remarkably relaxed attitude. She stated, "There’s no one I would mind coming in, even Sammy Root could come in and I wouldn’t mind!" This suggests any lingering animosity has been set aside as they both move forward with their lives and careers in the public eye.
The story of Sammy and Jess serves as a reminder of the intense pressure reality TV relationships face once the cameras stop rolling. Their journey from winners to exes in just eight weeks remains one of Love Island's most talked-about post-villa splits.
