Just one day after it was revealed that Love Island winners Millie Court and Liam Reardon have split for the second time, it’s come to light that another former contestant from the show has parted ways with their boyfriend.
Ella Barnes rose to fame on Love Island 2023, where she joined former flame Tyrique Hyde in the villa. She coupled up with Mitch Taylor and they left the show in a couple before splitting shortly after and she moved on with businessman Neil Farrugia, who previously dated Love Island 2022’s Gemma Owen.
However, Ella and Neil reportedly split last month after a year of dating and they’ve even unfollowed each other on Instagram.
It’s claimed that, much like Millie and Liam, Ella and Neil called time on their relationship due to long distance. Ella is based in Kent in the UK, while Neil lives overseas in Malta.
‘Ella and Neil had some amazing times together, but in the end they found it too difficult to make their relationship work long distance,’ a source told The Sun.
‘They didn't have any hard feelings, but realised it was too tough to make it work in the long run. They're both still young and have plenty of opportunities ahead of them.’
The source added, ‘They've wiped their Instagram accounts of pictures together and unfollowed each other - which has made the split official.’
Ella’s representatives have been contacted for comment.
In the wake of her split from Neil, Ella has jetted off to Mykonos with fellow Islander Olivia Hawkins.
And it’s even been suggested that Ella could return to the villa for All Stars 2026 in the wake of her breakup. The source said, ‘Ella could easily appear in Love Island All Stars now as she is free as a bird.’
Prior to dating Neil, Ella had a brief romance with TOWIE star Roman Hackett and made an even briefer appearance on the ITV2 show.
Back in May, she revealed how she met Neil. Speaking to her followers during an Instagram Q&A, Ella said, ‘Me and Olivia Hawkins went to Malta for @isleofmtv festival last summer. I met Neil the first night I got there and we just clicked instantly.
‘I was never meant to go on the trip, it was super last minute. I am truly a believer of that everything happens for a reason.’
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Nathan Katnoria is heat and Closer online’s senior digital writer. He became obsessed with Love Island when Malin Andersson came back to confront Terry Walsh in series two and hasn’t looked back since. When he’s not interviewing former Islanders, Nathan is scrolling through their Instagram feeds for relationship updates and piping hot tea.