It’s not uncommon for Love Island stars to continue recoupling long after they’ve left the villa. The likes of Arabella Chi and Wes Nelson and Kaz Crossley and Theo Campbell have all done it, as well as Lucie Donlan and Luke Mabbott.
Even Love Island 2024 pair Jess White and Harry Baker were linked when they were pictured looking cosy on a night out last month, although they’ve both insisted they’re just friends.
The latest Islanders rumoured to be dating are Samantha Kenny, who was dumped from the villa after Joey Essex chose to couple up with Grace Jackson, and Hugo Godfroy, who split from Jess shortly after leaving the villa.
According to reports, Samantha and Hugo have “grown close” after enjoying a series of dates.
“Hugo and Samantha grew close after meeting at their return to Love Island at the end of the series.,” a source told The Sun. "They have been on a few dates when Samantha has been in London.
"Samantha didn’t find love in the villa after her messy relationship with Joey but things seem to be going well with Hugo."
However, Samantha recently spoke out on the reports linking her to Hugo and she’s denied that they’re romantically involved.
Commenting on an Instagram post about the rumoured relationship, Samantha wrote, “Not true ❤️.”
It came to light that Hugo had split from Jess back in July when he was pictured kissing Love Island 2023’s Charlotte Sumner at the National Reality TV Awards in London.
Hugo later released a statement confirming that he and Jess were no longer an item.
He wrote, “Just to let everyone know Jess and I agreed to go our separate ways after the final in Majorca.
"I'm hoping we can still be friends as we had a great experience together, she's s lovely girl and I wish her all the best ❤️."
According to onlookers, Charlotte and Hugo “could not keep their hands off each other” at the awards ceremony.
One added, “It was clear that they only had eyes for each other and didn't care who was watching as they enjoyed a slew of snogs on the dance floor.”
WATCH Love Island's Jess explains why the girls got in trouble after Casa Amor
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.