It seems things really do move fast in Love Island circles; like, on the same day fast, if rumours of Love Island 2024 finalist Nicole Samuel moving on from Ciaran Davies with an MMA fighter are true. And, to be fair, the receipts are receipting.
A little context before we get all judgy? Sure.
On Sunday 8 December, a representative of Love Island 2024 runners-up Nicole and Ciaran – of that necklace and 'WHO'S EMMA?' fame – released a statement to the press confirming that after weeks of speculation, the couple had indeed parted ways.
It read, 'Over the last couple of days Nicole and Ciaran have made the mutual decision to part ways.
‘They have left the relationship on amicable terms, and will remain good friends going forward.’
This news came after a source close to heatworld spotted the pair keeping their distance from one another at their management's Christmas party last week.
Then, in a flaming hot twist that no-one saw coming, on that very Sunday, Nicole was spotted picking up a Nando's with MMA fighter Oban Elliott (known as 'The Welsh Gangster' in UFC circles) near her hometown in Wales, leaving onlookers wondering whether the Love Island finalist had swiftly moved on to another Welsh hunk.
An onlooker told The Sun, 'I was eating in the restaurant when I saw Oban jump out of her car.
'I knew it was them straight away because I recognised the private plate.
'I did think she had moved on fairly quickly, I know she only properly split from Ciaran on Sunday as well.
'But it’s really nice that she’s found someone so close - he is only ten minutes down the road.'
Then, the pair even seemingly joked about their 'date' PUBLICLY on Instagram, with Oban commenting, 'Nando's? 🐔' on one of Nicole's most recent grid posts, with the Islander responding with a string of laughing face emojis.
However, a representative for Nicole has assured the publication that the pair are just friends who are partial to the odd cheeky Nando's takeaway. They said, 'Nicole and Oban have been friends for a number of years, and the relationship between them is entirely platonic.
'They live in neighbouring towns in South Wales, and frequently cross paths in similar friendship circles.'
Take that however you choose, but if you're anything like us, you're probably left sat here mourning this iconic Love Island couple screaming, 'WHO'S OBAN?' into the abyss.
Despite a brief dalliance (one that ended in disaster) with Harriett Blackmore, Ciaran was besotted with Nicole from day dot. The couple stayed together for their entire Love Island journey, making it to the final. They were crowned the series' runners up, with Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan winning the show.
Uma Jammeh and Wil Anderson are now the only couple from Love Island 2024 that are still together.
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Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about Big Brother, Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is.