It was once the real-life Gavin & Stacey for 2021 Love Island champs Liam Reardon and Millie Court. The Welshman and the Essex girl – who split amicably last July – became fan favourites on the show as their connection grew stronger. But their blossoming romance faltered when Liam kissed Casa Amor bombshell Lillie Haynes.
“That was not one of my best days,” Liam admits, telling us it has been hard to watch this series having lived the difficult parts himself. As the fallout from this year’s Casa Amor and Movie Night continued, we pulled Liam, 23, up for a debrief…
How did you feel when Millie saw what you had got up to in Casa Amor during Movie Night?
Horrendous. It’s so intense when you’re in there, so you end up doing things that are maybe out of character. I hurt Millie and I still regret that. This year’s cast are only normal human beings and they’re all doing normal human things, but because all eyes are on them, people can’t help but judge them.
Do you think Tanya and Shaq are the real deal?
Tanya was trying to stick it on Martin in Casa Amor. To bring someone back... She didn’t love Shaq. She may love him in the future, but she didn’t love him at that point. If one of the guys had done that, then it would be so much worse. When we went through Casa Amor in my season, the producer said, “Oh, it’s a lads’ holiday.” So we were just saying “lads’ holiday”. The amount of hate we were having for saying lads’ holiday… but the girls can do it and it’s fine. The guys always get the worst end of the stick. It’s not right.
What are your thoughts on Jessie and Will?
Jessie has been lovely throughout, but she’s trying to hold onto [Will’s antics in Casa Amor] forever. Stop stressing about things that are in the past. I hope they can last. A lot of people are saying that Jessie isn’t really into Will and that she’s being fake? People who say that are projecting their own feelings onto the situation. I think she is genuine towards him.
Who will last on the outside?
I feel like Lana and Ron have gone on a little journey in there and they seem very happy now.
Do the producers encourage certain types of behaviour?
If everybody went to Casa Amor and no one did anything, would anybody watch the show? People love the juice. If everyone was vanilla, it would be boring. Producers know this, and they tell you this before you go on the show. You can’t be annoyed if they entice you to do certain things. They might egg people on to do certain things, because it causes the drama. They do their job incredibly well. I had a great experience in the villa and I’m just grateful for everything.
Do you think having a roller-coaster experience can impact a couple winning?
It’s difficult for me, I can’t say that Millie and I won because I kissed someone else. It’s like a romantic film – they meet each other, fall in love, have an amazing time, something goes terribly wrong. Then they get back together and it’s a happy ending. That’s how mine and Millie’s situation was. It was how [2022 winners] Davide and Ekin-Su’s situation was. I think it takes the viewers on a journey.
Are you and Millie on good terms?
We try to keep things friendly but, especially in this industry, it is hard. But I’ve got nothing but love for Millie – she is lovely. But it was the wrong timing for us, and it was difficult.
