As the highly anticipated third series of Love Island All Stars prepares to launch on Monday, January 12, 2026, the world of reality television finds itself gripped by both excitement and scandal. While fans look forward to seeing familiar faces return to the famed South African villa, recent headlines have been dominated by controversy swirling around former contestants, particularly Indiyah Polack and Jess Harding.
Jess Harding, who became a household name after winning Love Island in 2023 alongside Sammy Root, is set to make her return to the show. According to heatworld, Jess is one of the most relatable contestants in the show’s history and quickly became a fan favorite, largely because it took her longer than most to find a meaningful connection during her first stint. Her romance with Sammy Root, though ultimately victorious, left some viewers unconvinced of its authenticity. Nonetheless, Jess’s infectious smile and genuine demeanor won over audiences, making her return all the more anticipated.
Jess isn’t coming back alone. She’ll be joined by her close friend and fellow series 9 contestant, Whitney Adebayo. The pair are hoping to emulate the success of previous couples—perhaps even finding their own fairytale ending. Jess, reflecting on her past with Sammy Root, told heatworld, “I don’t really think he’ll care to be honest, he’s in a new relationship anyway, and obviously he’s done it and I’ve didn’t have my say.” Her candor is refreshing, and it’s clear she’s ready to move forward.
Sammy Root, for his part, participated in the second series of Love Island All Stars, where he was paired with TOWIE castmate Elma Pazar. The two left as a couple, but their romance fizzled out a few months later, as documented in an episode of The Only Way is Essex. In the months after her own split from Sammy, Jess briefly dated someone outside the Love Island bubble, a man named Ben. That relationship ended in the summer of 2025, paving the way for Jess’s return to the villa and another shot at televised romance.
While Jess’s journey has been marked by ups and downs, it’s another former contestant, Indiyah Polack, whose personal life has become the subject of intense scrutiny. Indiyah, who first appeared on the 2022 season and formed a high-profile relationship with Dami Hope, is now at the center of cheating allegations that have captivated fans and tabloid readers alike.
On December 3, 2025, Indiyah was reportedly seen kissing Twitch streamer Marlon Garcia at the London restaurant Duck & Waffle. The incident was captured on video and, according to The Mirror, the footage was shared with Dami Hope before it became public on January 10, 2026. The timing of the leak—just days after Indiyah and Dami confirmed their split—has fueled speculation about the circumstances of their breakup.
The story gained momentum when YouTube creator Bouncer uploaded a video to his 108,000 subscribers, claiming that Indiyah was "openly kissing, touching, and giggling" with Marlon in public. Bouncer further alleged, "She’s at the table with [Marlon] and they’re getting close, giggling, you get me? Touching, kissing, in a public case, you get me?" He added that a third party told him, "Allegedly, Marlon has gone to the toilet, and Indiyah has followed. Around 4 a.m. in the morning, they’ve left together."
Neither Indiyah nor Dami has made a public statement about the video itself, but a spokesperson for Dami confirmed to Daily Mail that the relationship ended due to a "breach of trust." A source close to the couple elaborated, "The couple sadly decided to split ways after three years of being together. This split has been particularly upsetting as their lives were so entwined." The source also noted that neither Indiyah nor Dami would participate in the upcoming Love Island: All Stars series, with Indiyah focusing on co-hosting her podcast and Dami uninterested in returning to the franchise.
In the aftermath of the revelations, Dami posted a cryptic tweet that many fans interpreted as a reference to the breakup: "Resentment is weird because yes, I want to forgive you wholeheartedly, but my mind is struggling to comprehend why you did that to me." His year-end reflections on social media made no mention of Indiyah, instead focusing on personal growth and the challenges of the past year. "Applauding out 2025. A year full of memories, milestones, losses, and growth you can’t always explain out loud. I’ve hit goals I once only dreamed about, yet I still catch myself asking, 'Why don’t I feel content?' Maybe it’s because every goal I reach becomes the starting point for something bigger. Not everything ends clean, but it ends clear. 2026 is about peace, progress, motion, and exercising my free will daily."
Despite the public drama, both Indiyah and Dami continue to follow each other on Instagram and have not removed photos of their relationship from their profiles. This detail has added another layer of intrigue, with fans speculating about the true timeline of their breakup and whether the video of Indiyah and Marlon was recorded before or after the split.
Marlon Garcia, for his part, addressed the controversy on his livestream, insisting he was single at the time. He told viewers, "I don’t know why I’m saying this when there’s nothing to address. Somebody recorded me kissing a girl. I was 24 years old and single at the time, not talking to anybody. What are we talking about here?" Reports have also surfaced that Marlon’s current girlfriend, fellow live-streamer Yonna, has been visibly upset by the situation, though Marlon maintains he did nothing wrong.
The saga has left fans divided. Some sympathize with Dami, citing the "breach of trust," while others defend Indiyah, pointing to the ambiguous timeline and the pressures of living life under constant public scrutiny. Meanwhile, Jess Harding’s return to Love Island All Stars offers a reminder that, for many, the show is about second chances and the hope of finding love—however messy the path may be.
As the new season of Love Island All Stars kicks off, viewers can expect more drama, romance, and perhaps even redemption for those whose personal lives have been laid bare in the headlines. Whether the villa will provide a fresh start or more heartbreak remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the world will be watching.
