Love Island stars criticise show for sending ex-girlfriends into the villa

Love Island stars Jess and Eve Gale have shared their thoughts on the ITV2 show introducing contestants’ ex-partners as surprise newcomers, saying it was the “worst thing that could happen”. The twins appeared on Love Island in 2020 and returned to the villa for All Stars in January.

After announcing they are in talks to appear on Love Island USA, Jess and Eve, 25, have spoken about some of the new twists on the dating show. In recent seasons, the Islanders have come face to face with their exes in the villa, and the current season sees Joey Essex reunite with his ex Grace Jackson.

The arrival of Joey’s ex caused his budding romance with Samantha Kenny to fizzle out, and she was eventually kicked off the island. Jess said she felt Samantha was at a “disadvantage” because of Grace and Joey’s past.

Jess told The Sun: “Going in, the worst thing that can happen is when a bombshell has already dropped and they already have a history – especially with Samantha, she was at a disadvantage and was a step back.”

Meanwhile, Eve said Love Island was starting to look too much like MTV’s Ex on the Beach. She added: “I’ve read a lot of comments saying they’ve ruined the format by copying Ex on the Beach… I think they do that to spice it up but it actually feels a lot like Ex on the Beach. I like that normal people go in there and people who don’t know each other, it makes it more authentic.”

Joey, 33, rekindling his romance with Grace, 25, has sparked speculation that he knew she was moving into the villa, with some fans even wondering if they ever really split. Dumped islander Samantha has also spoken out about the rumours, admitting that she thinks Joey knew his ex was being talked about as a bombshell.

Exclusively in conversation with OK!Samantha said: “Everyone has their conspiracy theories and I don’t like reading into articles but I’ve had a few things sent to me – like them going out together on Halloween in matching outfits. Grace came to the villa and said they spoke again in March and that we were in the middle of preparing the show at the time.

“So, I don’t know… I would never say they’re still together, but my personal opinion is he knew she was going on because her name was leaked. If you were in an intense relationship with someone last year and it came out that that person was going on Love Island, you would know about it.”