Fans of Love Island were left stunned in late 2024 when fan-favourite couple Sean Stone and Matilda Draper announced their split just weeks after finishing third on the hit ITV2 show. Their journey in the villa, complete with a turbulent Casa Amor test, had viewers convinced they were in it for the long haul.
The Official Split and Initial Explanations
In January 2025, a mere month after returning to the UK from the Love Island villa, both Sean and Matilda took to their Instagram Stories to share near-identical statements. They confirmed the end of their romantic relationship but emphasised they remained "good friends" and were thankful for their "incredible experience" together on the show.
At the time, no specific reason was given for the breakup. However, Sean later elaborated in a video to his followers, citing conflicting and busy schedules as the primary cause. He explained that despite their efforts, they couldn't dedicate the necessary time to make the relationship work outside the villa's bubble.
Sean also left the door open for a potential future reconciliation, telling fans, "She’s gonna absolutely smash it and, you never know, down the line... just gotta see what happens. But right now it’s for the best."
Matilda's Candid Podcast Revelations
The story took a more revealing turn in 2025 when Matilda Draper, now dating TOWIE star Roman Hackett, opened up on her podcast 'Raw and Reality'. In a frank discussion, she disclosed that she had never felt a strong romantic attraction to Sean during their time on Love Island.
Matilda described Sean as a "lovely guy" but admitted she primarily saw him as a "best friend" rather than a boyfriend. "When I got out [of the villa] I instantly sort of knew it was definitely like a friend thing," she revealed, suggesting the romantic connection faded quickly once they left the show's environment.
The revelations became even more pointed during a game of 'Say It or Shot It' on the same podcast. When her boyfriend Roman asked, "Did Matilda actually like Sean?" she froze, rolled her eyes, and opted to take a shot of alcohol instead of answering the question directly.
Aftermath and Moving On
Sean Stone has not publicly responded to Matilda's specific podcast comments about their relationship. His focus appears to have shifted, with the reality star now hoping for a second chance at love on the upcoming series of Love Island All Stars.
Their split joins a long list of Love Island relationships that have struggled to transition from the sun-drenched villa to everyday life in the UK. The couple's journey—from a dramatic Casa Amor where Sean explored connections with bombshells Diamanté and Ruby, to his final declaration of love for Matilda—ultimately proved that television romance doesn't always translate to lasting love.
The differing accounts of their split highlight the complex nature of relationships formed under the unique pressures of reality TV, where intense feelings can be mistaken for long-term compatibility.
