Winter Love Island’s 2023 series ends tonight (Monday, March 13) with the grand finale.
As the UK has suffered countless cold snaps over the winter months, the popular ITV2 dating show has been bringing warmth from the South African villa since mid-January.
Viewers have seen breakups, make-ups, mayhem-causing bombshells, and double-dumping drama, along with Casa Amor fights, plenty of tears, and even a few declarations of love.
Fans will now find out which of the four remaining couples will take home the £50,000 prize pool – following the shocking last-minute dumping of Jessie Wynter and farmer Will Young.
Which couples have reached the Love Island finals? Let’s see…
Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Mohammed
It’s been one of the villa’s most turbulent relationships this year, especially after the couple’s commitment was tested at Casa Amor. There were arguments when Tanya returned with bombshell Martin Akinola, suddenly leaving Shaq single.
Eventually, Tanya apologized to Shaq with a speech declaring her love, and the couple reconciled.
Things didn’t always go smoothly from there, though, as they still had to deal with Movie Night footage and Shaq’s family arriving to share their thoughts in the penultimate episode.
Despite their ups and downs, Tanya and Shaq go into the finale as boyfriend and girlfriend, after Shaq dropped the question a few episodes ago and Tanya said yes.
He said, “All the journey we’ve been here together. It’s something I never could have imagined, meeting someone like you.
‘I think for me, as I feel for you. I think it’s only right that I want to make you my girlfriend.’
Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall
Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall, both 25, were also paired in the launch episode.
From Luton and Essex respectively, the pair seemed like a great match from the start – and Ron seemed especially thrilled about landing Lana as his partner, as if he couldn’t believe his luck.
Alas, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster relationship – from Ron finding out that Lana’s ex is Hollyoak’s heartthrob Owen Warner, to the love triangle drama with Casey O’Gorman.
Still, they’ve been boyfriend and girlfriend since late February, after Ron popped the question.
He told her, “I’ve never been in a relationship or anything like that, so for me it’s a huge thing.
“And we’ve said to each other that we have to be exclusive, but that’s not enough for me. I want the title. I want you as my girlfriend.’
A smirking Lana said yes, so the pair enter the finale as an official couple, albeit one that has faced allegations that Ron had a “game plan” for the show.
Samie Elishi and Tom Clare
Tom Clare, 23, and Samie Elishi, 22, both arrived at the villa as bombshells.
Tom from Barnsley arrived on day two and joined Olivia Hawkins.
He was quickly stolen by another bombshell, Zara Lackenby-Brown – which sparked heated arguments between the two women – before later joining Ellie Spence.
Meanwhile, when London’s Samie landed in South Africa, she was chosen by Kai Fagan, despite having her eyes set on Ron – but she eventually grew close to Tom, and the pair have been together ever since.
That’s despite having a “slow burn” relationship — and remaining a couple after “Terrace Tom” enjoyed a smooch with Casa Amor arrival Lydia Karakyriakou, which did cause some friction on Movie Night.
However, in a recent episode, Tom dropped the L-bomb and told Samie that he had fallen in love with her, and in the penultimate episode of the series, Samie’s family seemed to give their approval.
Now Samie and Tom are favorites to win the show, according to Oddschecker.
Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan
Sanam Harrinanan, 24, from Bedford, arrived at the South African villa like a Casa Amor bombshell.
She caught the eye of Manchester rugby player Kai Fagan, 24 – who was linked to Olivia at the time.
He chose to team up with Sanam after the experiment, and in tense scenes, Olivia also returned from Casa Amor with a new partner, after getting her head turned by Maxwell Samuda.
In Kai’s case, it turned out to be the right decision as he and Sanam have remained coupled up ever since.
Fans have also taken root in the relationship as their spark was evident from their first kayaking date.
Both their families also seemed thrilled by the matchn during the penultimate episode, even shedding tears when Sanam’s loved ones told her that her late father would have approved.
Winter Love Island 2023 ends tonight at 9pm on ITVX.
MORE: Katherine Ryan reveals she ‘feels wrong’ watching Love Island with her partner Bobby Kootstra because the contestants are too young
MORE: Viewers on Love Island praise Shaq Muhammad’s family for helping him ‘see the light’ after turbulent relationship with Tanya Manhenga
MORE : If Love Island really wants to be inclusive of blind people, they need audio description
Follow Metro on our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Share your ideas within the feedback beneath
