Relationships are never all smooth sailing – even more so if it’s one born from the fires of Love Island. But that hasn’t stopped Harriett Blackmore and Ronnie Vint. Harriett, 25, and Ronnie, 28, first met on series 11 of the dating show last year, instantly hitting it off and coupling up during the first week.
While there were a few bumps, with Ronnie’s head getting turned multiple times, the pair found their way back to one another and left the villa as a couple. But they split three months later, claiming, ‘It just didn’t work.’
But in January, the pair reunited on Love Island: All Stars when Harriett entered as a bombshell, and it wasn’t long before they rekindled their romance.
Now stronger than ever, they talk to heat about moving forward in their relationship...
So, you officially got back together in March?
Ronnie: Yes. What happened last time, happened. But this time around, Harriett and I are in a different place and everything is going really well. And long may it continue.
Do you think you’d have got back together eventually, without going on All Stars?
Harriett: Yes, I feel our paths would have crossed one day. I preferred Love Island the second time around.
Some fans accused you of faking your break-up to go back on the show –how did that make you feel?
H: Everyone is going to have their opinion, and if we had got back together straight after the show, people still would have said that, so you can’t win. Everyone around me, my family and friends, all know that it wasn’t [a set up], so I don’t really care about that.
Your mum gave Ronnie her seal of approval – is she still a fan?
H: Every time he stays over, he goes out and buys her a coffee in the morning.
R: We’re besties now.
Do you have any plans to move in together?
H: We’ve been looking at a few places.
R: Yes, so this month I’m hoping to move out and then for Harriett to move in slowly, so that’s the next stage.
What challenges do you think you might face when you do start living together?
H: He is definitely a boy who leaves a wet towel on the bed and leaves his clothes in my room. He’s like, ‘Oh, babe, I left this’, and I’m like, ‘Take it home now.’ He just shoves them in the wardrobe.
R: She leaves her make-up and clothes in my car, so it’s probably one-all.
Does he leave the toilet seat up?
H: Yes, he does! Also, I have an en suite and there isn’t a shower door, so you’re supposed to mop it every time you get out of the shower, and he doesn’t mop it.
R: I’m learning.
Do you see wedding bells in your future?
H: I’m 25, so I’m going to carry on being 25 for now and just enjoy it, but who knows.
R: We’ll do it when we’re ready. I feel like there’s so many eyes on us, and we’re just happy moving the way we are. Everything is going well and as long as she’s happy, I’m happy. She’s ‘The One’.
Who do you still keep in touch with from the villa?
R: Harriett’s close with Grace Jackson, and I speak to Luca Bish and Casey O’Gorman quite a lot.
What about Olivia Hawkins? You guys clashed with her in the villa…
H: We don’t even think about her.
R: No, we’re on our journey now – everyone else is behind us. We don’t really care about anyone else.
Would you both like to do more reality TV?
R: I’ve had a few shows contact me and my management is just in the process of sorting it.
What kind of shows are you thinking?
R: Celebrity SAS and Celebrity Hunted. They’re interested in me and my friend Bradley Dack for Celebrity Hunted. And now Olivia [Attwood, Bradley’s wife] is good friends with Harriett.
Maybe you can join her on Loose Women next?
H: Definitely!