The glittering crown of Love Island 2023 proved to be a short-lived victory for its winners, Jess Harding and Sammy Root. The couple announced their split a mere two months after leaving the villa, a revelation that has come back into focus as Jess prepares to enter the Love Island All Stars villa in 2026.
The Fairytale That Faded Fast
Jess Harding and Sammy Root met and fell for each other on the tenth series of the hit ITV2 dating show in 2023, ultimately winning the public vote and the £50,000 prize. However, the reality of life outside the sun-soaked villa quickly set in. According to sources close to the pair at the time, their dynamic changed significantly upon returning to their normal lives in the UK.
An insider revealed to tabloids that Jess had come to the realisation they were better suited as friends, leading to the mutual decision to call it quits. The split unfolded amidst a backdrop of post-villa pressure, which Sammy later suggested Jess found particularly challenging to navigate.
A Breakup Played Out in Public
The details of their separation took a dramatic turn when Sammy Root claimed he discovered the relationship was officially over through the media. Speaking on the Staying Relevant podcast, Sammy explained that their final days were fraught. He described a pattern of heated arguments where "we're done" was said multiple times, only for them to reconcile.
"Then the third time, she was in Ibiza," Sammy recounted. "I thought 'When she gets back, even if we talk and meet and say it is done, then fine, whatever.' Then I just woke up a couple days later and it was just in the press." Despite the messy conclusion, Sammy was keen to stress that they did ultimately part on amicable terms.
From Winners to All Stars: A New Chapter
Now, the story takes a new twist as Jess Harding follows her ex onto the Love Island All Stars spin-off. Sammy himself appeared in the inaugural All Stars series in 2025. Jess will join the 2026 line-up in South Africa, which includes other fan favourites like Millie Court and Whitney Adebeyo.
Her return to the villa marks a full-circle moment, putting the brief but headline-grabbing romance with Sammy firmly back in the spotlight. It serves as a stark reminder of the intense scrutiny and pressure that reality TV relationships face once the cameras stop rolling and the real world begins.
