As the sun sets over the South African villa, the stage is set for the grand finale of Love Island All Stars series three, airing on ITV2 at 9pm on February 23, 2026. Yet, just hours before the highly anticipated final, drama has erupted—true to the show’s legacy—with the elimination of Belle Hassan and Harrison Solomon in a tense firepit showdown that has left fans talking and contestants reeling.
This latest series, a spin-off designed to give former contestants another chance at romance, has been anything but predictable. From its delayed start—thanks to wildfires near Cape Town that forced ITV to postpone the launch by three days—to explosive confrontations and record-breaking streaming numbers, Love Island All Stars has proven it can still capture the nation’s attention, and then some. According to The Sun, the series has been streamed 80 million times on ITVX, with 58% of viewers now tuning in via streaming platforms, a modern twist that speaks to the show’s enduring popularity.
But let’s rewind to the drama that unfolded on February 22, 2026. In a twist worthy of reality TV’s finest, a legion of ex-Islanders—AJ, Charlie, Shaq, Jess, Curtis, Kyra, Sher, Jack, Tommy, Jessy, Helena, Carrington, Konnor, and Imani—returned to the villa. Their mission? To cast judgment on the remaining couples and vote out the pair they deemed least compatible. The result, as reported by OK! and Mirror, was a charged firepit ceremony where relationships were scrutinized, alliances tested, and secrets aired.
Charlie wasted no time, confronting Scott van-der-Sluis with the accusation, “I think you’re the biggest snake in the Villa…”, setting the tone for a night of brutal honesty. Meanwhile, Shaq voiced a sentiment shared by many viewers, telling Sean Stone and Lucinda Strafford, “Sean is head over heels, I’m not sure if it’s as genuine on Lucinda’s side…”. This skepticism over Lucinda’s intentions has been a recurring theme, both inside the villa and among fans, with The Sun revealing that 37% of poll respondents believe Lucinda and Sean are “faking it” for the cameras.
Yet, the most explosive revelations came courtesy of AJ, who pulled back the curtain on Belle Hassan and Harrison Solomon’s relationship. “I’ve been on the outside, I’ve seen things – break-ups or not break-ups…not telling a certain person…”, she declared, alluding to the messy breakup between Harrison and his ex-girlfriend Lauren Wood. As reported by Mirror, Harrison had ended things with Lauren in October 2025, but the two had stayed in regular contact, leaving Lauren devastated to see him appear on All Stars. The returning Islanders, especially the women, rallied around Lauren, determined to expose what they saw as Harrison’s duplicity.
The fallout was swift and decisive. After the ex-Islanders laid out their cases, Belle and Harrison were voted out of the villa, ending their shot at the £50,000 prize and a place in the show’s hall of fame just as the finish line came into view. For Belle and Harrison, it was a bitter pill to swallow, especially given the public’s perception of them. According to The Sun poll, 42% of readers ranked them as the biggest “fakers” in the villa, and only 2% believed they would last as a couple once back in the UK.
With their departure, five couples now remain in the running for the crown: Scott van-der-Sluis and Leanne Amaning, Sean Stone and Lucinda Strafford, Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies, Yamen Sanders and Whitney Adebayo, and Millie Court and Zac Woodworth. Each pairing has its own story, its own set of challenges, and, unsurprisingly, its own share of skeptics.
Take Lucinda and Sean, for instance. Lucinda is no stranger to the Love Island universe, having first appeared in 2019, starred in the Australian spin-off, and even won Love Island Games earlier this year. Sean, a sweet shop owner, has found himself swept up in her orbit, with 28.8% of The Sun readers backing the couple for the win. Yet, doubts about Lucinda’s sincerity linger, and the couple has been embroiled in more than their fair share of fiery rows throughout the season.
Scott van-der-Sluis, meanwhile, is another seasoned pro, having competed in the 2023 UK series and the US edition. Paired with Leanne Amaning, the duo enjoys 27.7% support in fan polls, making them strong contenders for the title. But Scott, too, has been the target of sharp criticism, with Charlie’s “snake” comment still ringing in viewers’ ears.
The American “Villa USA” twist brought fresh faces and unexpected romances, with Yamen Sanders and Whitney Adebayo, and Millie Court and Zac Woodworth forming transatlantic couples. However, fans remain skeptical about their long-term prospects, citing the challenges of distance—Yamen is based in Los Angeles, Whitney in London. Only 4% of The Sun poll respondents back Whitney and Yamen for the win, while 13% believe Millie and Zac will succeed outside the villa.
Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies, however, have quietly become the dark horses of the competition. With 35% of readers tipping them as the couple most likely to last, they’ve managed to avoid much of the controversy that has dogged their rivals.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Love Island without drama—and this series has delivered it in spades. The show has attracted over 12,000 Ofcom complaints, mainly due to heated arguments and emotional bust-ups. Still, a significant portion of the audience relishes the chaos, with 39% saying they “loved” the drama and 45% preferring a balance of romance and conflict. The series even broke records for the number of kisses, with over 50 snogs in the first four days alone.
Amidst the tumult, one figure has emerged as the clear winner in the hearts of viewers: host Maya Jama. Her performance this season has received a 75% positive rating, the highest since she took on the role in 2023. As The Sun points out, Maya’s charisma and poise have been a stabilizing force, helping the show rebound from a period when 37% of viewers once called for its cancellation.
As the finale approaches, anticipation is at a fever pitch. Will fan favorites Lucinda and Sean clinch the title, or will Scott and Leanne stage an upset? Perhaps the underdog duo of Samie and Ciaran will steal the spotlight. One thing’s for certain: in a season defined by twists, betrayals, and passionate connections, anything can happen. The only guarantee is that, for better or worse, Love Island All Stars continues to be the rollercoaster ride viewers can’t help but watch—sometimes through their fingers, but always with bated breath.