After weeks of sun-soaked drama, tearful recouplings, and more than a few jaw-dropping moments, Love Island: All Stars Season 3 has finally crowned its champions. On February 23, 2026, millions of fans tuned in across the UK and Ireland to witness the live finale, broadcast on ITV2, ITVX, and Virgin Media Two, where five couples faced the ultimate public vote for the £50,000 prize. The stakes? Not just the cash, but the chance to join an elite club of Love Island winners—and perhaps, to prove that true love can survive the villa’s relentless pressure cooker.
This year’s All Stars edition was nothing short of a rollercoaster. The season, which had a delayed start due to local wildfires, quickly made up for lost time with explosive arguments, a notorious threeway kiss, and a record-breaking 8,594 Ofcom complaints, mostly stemming from a bullying controversy involving Lucinda Strafford and Sean Stone during the infamous “To Be Honest” challenge (as reported by Boyle Sports Blog). But as the dust settled, it was the five final couples—Samie Elishi & Ciaran Davies, Millie Court & Zac Woodworth, Leanne Amaning & Scott van-der-Sluis, Lucinda Strafford & Sean Stone, and Whitney Adebayo & Yamen Sanders—who captured the nation’s attention.
From the start, this season was a battleground of old rivalries and new alliances. The introduction of Villa USA brought All-Star Islanders from Love Island USA into the mix, with Yamen and Zac making it all the way to the final. Day 1 Islanders like Ciaran, Leanne, Millie, Scott, Sean, and Whitney managed to outlast a revolving door of bombshell arrivals and dramatic dumpings. Viewers watched as the cast navigated pie-throwing incidents, tactical voting, and the ever-present threat of being suddenly dumped from the villa.
The final week was particularly tense. On February 22, just one day before the grand finale, all previously axed Islanders returned to the villa. Their mission: to nominate the least compatible couple, leading to the dramatic exit of Belle Hassan and Harrison Solomon. According to Capital, most cited comments from Harrison’s ex-girlfriend Lauren Wood as a key factor in their decision. The following night, the remaining five couples—each with their own fanbase and baggage—prepared for the public’s final verdict.
It wasn’t just the Islanders who felt the pressure. Betting markets were in a frenzy, with odds shifting rapidly in the hours before the show. Entertainment analysts at OLBG and BOYLE Sports pegged Scott van-der-Sluis & Leanne Amaning and Sean Stone & Lucinda Strafford as joint favorites, each with a 50% chance of victory, while Samie & Ciaran and Millie & Zac trailed close behind. Whitney & Yamen, despite a loyal following and a blossoming romance that began at Villa USA, were seen as longshots, with odds as high as 14/1 (about a 6.7% chance), according to OK! Entertainment and Boyle Sports Blog.
The betting experts were clear: “It’s extremely rare to head into a Love Island final with joint 1/1 favorites. Normally, the market has a clear leader by now. This suggests public voting is finely balanced and even small swings in support tonight could decide the winner,” said Jake Ashton, Entertainment Betting Expert at OLBG.com. The villa, meanwhile, was abuzz with speculation. Scott, never one to shy from confrontation, found himself branded the “biggest snake in the villa” by Charlie Frederick during a fiery exchange. Lucinda, on the other hand, was experiencing what many fans called a “redemption arc,” with her relationship with Sean going official in the final week, despite lingering doubts about the authenticity of their connection.
Millie Court, a previous winner, and partner Zac Woodworth were considered “dangerous outsiders.” Their steady progress and Millie’s large fanbase kept them firmly in contention, with 6/4 odds and an implied 40% chance of victory. Yet, as the night wore on, it became clear that the race was tighter than ever before.
As the final votes were tallied and the Islanders enjoyed a last villa barbecue, host Maya Jama prepared to announce the results. The atmosphere was electric, with both the audience and the contestants on edge. The finale, running an extended 95 minutes, was packed with emotional reunions, recaps of the season’s wildest moments, and a few lingering tensions—especially between Curtis Pritchard and Kyra Lizama, whose Valentine’s Day drama spilled over into the live show. Curtis had posted a video on February 14 declaring he was “looking for love,” to Kyra’s surprise, as they were still in contact after leaving the villa. Kyra, feeling disrespected, seemed to confirm there was no future for the pair.
Other former Islanders shared updates: Jessy Potts and Tommy Bradley reported their relationship was progressing smoothly; Helena Ford and Carrington Rodriguez planned to work on theirs, with Carrington promising a UK visit soon. Imani Ayan Wheeler and Konnor Ewudzi were keeping their romance alive with daily FaceTime calls, and Sher Suarez and Jack Keating expressed a desire to continue getting to know each other outside the villa.
Finally, the moment of truth arrived. Maya Jama revealed the final placements:
5th place: Whitney and Yamen
4th place: Lucinda and Sean
3rd place: Leanne and Scott
2nd place: Millie and Zac
1st place: Samie and Ciaran
Against the odds and expert predictions, it was Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies who emerged as the winners of Love Island: All Stars Season 3, taking home the £50,000 prize. Their victory was a testament to their journey from Day 1 Islanders to fan favorites, managing to win over the public despite not being the bookies’ top pick. As reported by Deadline and confirmed by the show’s official results, their win capped off a season defined by unpredictability, fierce competition, and moments of genuine connection.
With the curtain closed on another unforgettable season, fans are already speculating about which Islanders might return for future All Star editions. For now, Samie and Ciaran have cemented their place in Love Island history—and the villa’s doors close once more, at least until the next batch of hopefuls arrives, ready to risk it all for love and a shot at reality TV immortality.