Love Island All Stars contestant Belle Hassan has found herself at the centre of a viewer storm after confessing romantic feelings for fellow islander Scott van-der-Sluis during Sunday night's episode. The revelation has sparked intense debate among fans, with many accusing Belle of hypocrisy given her previous criticism of similar behaviour.
Drama Unfolds in the Villa
During the February 8th episode, Belle admitted to co-star Whitney Adebayo that she was feeling "confused" about her growing attraction to Scott. Whitney immediately called her out, accusing Belle of "pulling a Lucinda" - a direct reference to Lucinda Strafford's earlier actions in stealing Belle's previous partner, Sean Stone. Whitney pointedly reminded Belle: "And you hated that s---."
This confrontation came after viewers had already noticed increasing physical closeness between Belle and Scott throughout recent episodes. Many had speculated about a potential connection developing between the pair, with their flirtatious interactions and playful behaviour outside the girls' dressing room becoming increasingly apparent.
Complicated Relationship History
The situation is particularly delicate due to recent villa history. Scott had recently ended things with American bombshell Sher Suraez after realising his stronger feelings were for Leanne Amanning. However, Leanne had already decided to remove herself from the situation and maintained her decision to end things with Scott even after his split from Sher.
This leaves Scott technically single, but the emotional fallout from his recent relationships remains fresh. The timing of Belle's admission has drawn criticism from viewers who feel she's moving too quickly, especially given her close friendship with Leanne.
Viewers Divided in Their Reactions
The audience response has been sharply polarised, with social media platforms buzzing with conflicting opinions about Belle's actions.
Many viewers have sided with Whitney's assessment, criticising what they see as Belle's contradictory behaviour. One fan commented: "Might even be a tad worse because her and Leanne are proper mates ??" Another wrote: "I like Belle but Whitney is 100% right - you can't scream I'm a girls girl and give that energy to Lucinda and now you're trying to pull Scott?! ... bearing in mind that Leanne is one of her closest friends there."
However, a significant contingent of viewers are supporting the potential pairing. One enthusiastic supporter commented: "belle and scott have CHEMISTRY!!! i hope she handles it the right way and speaks to leanne first tho." Another added: "Whitney a real one for saying it how it is ? but fr scott and belle look great together >>>"
Social Media Buzz and Insider Information
The speculation has extended beyond standard viewer commentary, with fans creating dedicated edits of Scott and Belle on platforms like TikTok. One content creator posted: "Please tell me I'm not the only one who can see this," while another declared: "I'm so here for Belle & Scott ??"
Adding fuel to the fire, former islander Mitch Taylor - known as 'Messy Mitch' - revealed on Snapchat that Scott had expressed specific interest in Belle during early episodes. "I was speaking to him while he was in holding, he only thinks Belle's fit. No one else," Mitch disclosed, suggesting the attraction might be mutual.
This revelation aligns with observations from the series' opening episodes, where subtle hints of mutual interest between Belle and Scott were noted by attentive viewers, though nothing substantial developed at that time.
Broader Context and Future Implications
The current controversy reflects ongoing tensions within the All Stars villa, where previous relationships and friendships create complex dynamics. Belle's situation mirrors earlier drama involving Lucinda Strafford, creating what some viewers see as a hypocritical pattern of behaviour.
As the series continues to unfold, all eyes will be on how Belle navigates this delicate situation, particularly regarding her friendship with Leanne and the potential development of her connection with Scott. The divided viewer response suggests this storyline will remain a focal point of discussion in coming episodes, testing both villa relationships and audience loyalties.
