Winter Love Island 2023 – you know, the one filmed in that lavish South African mansion and littered with Islanders like Tom Clare, Olivia Hawkins, Tanya Manhenga and Jessie Wynter – feels like a lifetime ago, doesn't it?
To be fair, we've been somewhat oversaturated by Love Island spin-offs thanks to All Stars as well as Love Island: Games, not to mention the standard Love Island series.
Anyway, while some hardcore fans might dismiss the winter editions, no one can argue that the last winter edition gifted us all with some downright iconic Love Islanders and actually, can boast some serious success stories.
Not only did Tom Clare go on to take part in the first All Stars a year later and WIN with now girlfriend Molly Smith, but his bestie Casey O'Gorman won the second All Stars alongside Gabby Allen.
As for winners Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, they are the ULTIMATE success story as they have now put a ring on it – and we have the pics 💅
Actually, fair warning: if you're bitter and single like us you might want to scroll past this bit, as these snaps contain all the cliches – champagne, a romantic boat ride, getting down on one knee etc.
Sanam and Kai became the first ever couple formed in Casa Amor to win the show when they were crowned winter Love Island 2023 champions and now they’ve made us fall in love with them a little bit more following Kai’s romantic proposal in Cambridge.
Which Love Island couples from winter 2023 are still together?
Kai and Sanam
Winners Kai and his Casa Amor's Sanam are still going strong, which will be a surprise to absolutely nobody as they are an ACTUAL living and breathing Disney prince and princess.
The pair got engaged in April 2024 – and they lived happily ever after.
Tanya and Shaq
Despite Tanya Manhenga returning with Martin Akinola after Casa Amor, Shaq Muhammad and Tanya rekindled the romance on the show and made it to the final.
However, the couple split back in the real world and in recent weeks have hit headlines after Tanya hinted that Shaq wasn't as loyal as he could have been during their relationship. He denies the claims and Tanya is now reportedly dating a footballer.
Jessie and Will
Although they just missed out on making the final four, Aussie bombshell Jessie Wynter and farming TikTok sensation Will Young are still together. There was a possibility Jessie and Will weren't gong to last after Will's Casa indiscretions with Layla Al-Momani, but the couple made it through the storm and currently split their time between England and Australia. There's a 99% chance they're on a farm wherever they are, though.
Despite coming in second place, Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins split up at the start of summer 2023, after a row on the flight home.
As for Samie Elishi and Tom Clare, they split up in May 2023 with Samie taking part in series two of All stars. The bombshell failed to find a spark with anyone and has recently been linked to former Made in Chelsea star, Sam Thompson.
Tom is now seeing his fellow All Stars winner, Molly Smith, which means his type is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS.
Winter Love Island 2023 contestants
Tanya Manhenga
Prior to taking part in Love Island, Tanya, who was a biomedical science student and had already made a name for herself in the world of social media. Liverpool-born Tanya was Instagram pals with Love Island 2022 fave Indiyah Polack, as well as an ambassador for Boohoo, Ego and Simmi Shoes.
Continuing in the world influencing, Tanya is now an ambassador for Fashion Nova and has her own YouTube channel.
If you want to follow Tanya on Instagram you can find her at @talkswithtt_.
Olivia Hawkins
Olivia Hawkins arrived in the Love Island villa as an OG. The 27-year-old ring girl and actress was booted out on day 45 but has since returned to the villa for All Stars where she coupled with Marcel Sommerville. They were the first duo to be dumped from the dating show and have since split but don't fear as Liv will be returning to our TV screens for Celebs Go Dating 2025.
Fancy following Olivia on Instagram? You can find her at @livhawkinss.
Lana Jenkins
Lana Jenkins was a make-up artist before she took part in Love Island and it turns out that she worked with famous people before before finding Love Island fame.
She explained, 'In my work as a make-up artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities. Also, when I was six-years-old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.'
Now she is out of the villa, Lana still cites herself as a make up artist on her Instagram bio and is an ambassador for Rimmel London. You can follow her at @lanajenkinss.
Anna-May Robey
Swansea gal Anna-May Robey was the first girl to be dumped. Now she is out of the villa, Anna is living her best life attending events and taking more holidays than we can count.
You can find Anna-May on the 'gram here: @annamayrobey.
Tanyel Revan
Tanyel Revan is a 26-year-old hair stylist who left the villa far too early. Tanyel returned to her day job as a hair stylist, found a new boyfriend, and struck up a cute AF friendship with Zara Lackenby-Brown. She recently got engaged to said boyfriend and hosts a podcast alongside, Ron Hall.
If you want to follow Tanyel on Instagram you can find her at @tanyelrevan.
Kai Fagan
Winner Kai Fagan was a science and PE teacher before he took part in Love Island and since being crowned king of the South African villa, Kai returned to the classroom as England Schools Touch2Twickenham ambassador. He got engaged to his Love Island sweetheart, Sanam.
Fancy following Kai on Instagram? You can find him at @kaifagan_.
Shaq Muhamma
Shaq Muhammad was a security officer before he made it to the final of Love Island. He is now an ambassador for NovaMEN and his Instagram bio cites him as a 'personal trainer.'
You can follow Shaq over at @shaq24s.
Ron Hall
Ron Hall was a financial advisor before he was a contestant on the dating show. Months after the show ended, Ron is working with FashionNOVA and spends his days hanging out with Luca Bish and hosting the You're right, I'm Ron podcast alongside Tanyel. He returned for All Stars but quit after failing to find a spark with anyone.
You can find Ron on the 'gram here @ronhall__.
Will Young
Will Young (not the singer) already had 1.1million TikTok followers before he went on Love Island and since leaving his audience has sky-rocketed to nearly 2 million. He has since released a book and is still loved up with Jessie.
If you want to follow Will on Instagram you can find him @farmer_will_. You can also find Will on TikTok @farmerwill_.
Haris Namani
Haris Namani worked as salesman before becoming a contestant on the romance reality show. He left early on alongside Anna-May, he later took part in the Albanian version of Love Island.
Fancy following Haris on Instagram? You can find him @haris_namanii.
Zara Lackenby-Brown
Zara Lackenby-Brown is a true talent; the London born bombshell is a total performer and revealed that she is 'fully trained in ballet, tap and jazz' and has singing qualifications which led her to 'get scouted as a model.'
Since leaving the LI villa, Zara released her own song, Funk You Want, which is available on Spotify and Apple Music.
You can follow her @itszaradeniz.
David Salako
David Salako was a financial advisor before he entered as a bombshell. David didn't last all that long but since leaving he has found success as an online fitness coach.
You can follow David on Instagram at @davidsxalako.
Ellie Spence
Business development executive Ellie Spence didn't have the best time on Love Island but since being dumped from the villa, Ellie has been attending beauty events, enjoying endless holidays and hanging out with fellow Islander, Olivia Hawkins.
Fancy following Ellie on the 'gram? You can find her at @elliespennie.
Tom Clare
Tom Clare is a 25-year-old semi-pro footballer from Barnsley who made it to the final and now works with eBay as a 'pre-loved ambassador' of the brand.
He re-entered the South African villa in 2024 and won alongside now girlfriend, Molly.
You can follow Tom at @tomclare__.
Jessie Wynter
Aussie Jessie Wynter took part in season two of Australian Love Island and came fourth before trying her luck on the UK version.
It looks as though the latter was more of a success as Jessie is still with Will and the couple split their time been England and Australia.
You can follow Jessie at @jessiereneewynter.
Aaron Waters
Another Australian who joined the villa was Aaron Waters who was a runner up on season three of Love Island Australia.
The model and content creator headed back to the villa because he was ready 'to finally meet someone' and believed the chance to be on Love Island UK was 'divine timing'.
Sadly, it wasn't to be, and Aaron left the show single. He nows works as a model in Brisbane.
Check him out at @aaronmwaters.
Samie Elishi
Samie Elishi entered the villa as a senior estate agent coordinator and left as a style icon. She took part in the second series of All Stars where she set her sights on Luca Bish; they failed to find a spark as he was coupled up with Grace Jackson.
You can follow Samie on Instagram at @Samieelishi.
Spencer Wilks
Spencer Wilks created quite the buzz in the villa because he owns a vibrator company.
You can follow Spencer on Instagram at @spennywilks.
Casey O'Gorman
Recruitment consultant Casey O'Gorman entered the villa looking for Mrs O'Gorman but didn't manage to find her. He did, however, find a bestie in the form of Tom Clare and also found more than a bestie in the form of Claudia. He took part in All Stars alongside best mate Tom in 2024 and returned AGAIN for the second series of the spin-off show that he only went and won alongside Gabby.
You can follow him at @caseyogorman.
Jordan Odofin
Jordan Odofin is a London lad who was after a girl that could challenge him, telling LI producers, 'I need a girl that can put me in my place, therefore I’ve got my eye on all the strong women in the villa.'
He didn't find love on the island and although he re-coupled with Zara briefly outside of the show, it wasn't to be.
He has a pretty cool Instagram: @snapsofjords.
Claudia Fogarty
Entering the villa dressed as a red-winged angel, northern lass Claudia Fogarty fell for Casey only for him to break her heart.
Now she's out of the villa, Claudia is now living her best influencer life and is dating footballer, Ollie Cranshaw.
You can follow her at @claudiafogarty.
When did Winter Love Island 2023 start?
Love Island began on Monday 16 January 2023, aka Blue Monday, aka the most depressing day of the year.
Who hosted Winter Love Island 2023?
Laura Whitmore announced in August that she would be stepping down as presenter of the reality show, admitting 'there are certain elements of the show I’ve found very difficult.'
She shared a goodbye post on her Instagram and rumours of who would take her place quickly began circling like nobody’s business.
At one point ex-Islander and fan favourite, Maura Higgins, was a popular choice for host, but in October the official Love Island Instagram account shared a post announcing Maya Jama would be following in Laura's footsteps as the new face of the show.
Where is winter Love Island filmed?
Winter Love Island was once again filmed in South Africa, as opposed to the summer series which is always filmed in Majorca, Spain.