
With the gorgeous new presenter Maya Jama, Winter Love Island 2023 is bringing some light into our gloomy evenings, and there have already been tears, tension, and fallouts.
We’ve witnessed an explosive bombshell, a terrible double dumping, and the islanders crowding in to halt a brawl thus far. Oh, and the audience really likes farmer Will. In addition, poor Lana Jenkins has had Ron Hall taken away from her in a variety of different ways. Tanya then continues with a revelation that would make anyone squirm.
There is enough of strife to be found in paradise. Particularly in that area near the fire pit. Which, if we’re being really honest, is exactly how we like it to be.
In addition, we have had enough of the keyword for this year already. Unreal.
So, which islanders have gotten together, broken up, and gotten back together so far?
Here’s a rundown of everything that’s transpired up to this point, from the very first couples to the recent bombshells and recouplings.
Launch Episode
Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Muhammed

Biomedical science student Tanya Manhenga, 22, was the first girl into the villa, and chose to couple up with airport security worker Shaq Muhammed, 24, after he was the only one to step forward for her.
The coupling was the gift that kept on giving, after Tanya swerved his kiss in the series’ most cringeworthy scene so far. But she did eventually relent – even though she admitted to liking the look of bombshell Tom Clare.
Anna-May Robey and Haris Namani

Payroll administrator Anna-May Robey, 20, from Swansea was second in to the villa and chose to couple up with teacher Kai Fagan, 24 after he stepped forward for her, along with Haris Namani and Ron Hall.
She was gutted when actress Olivia stole Kai and was ultimately left with a choice of only farmer Will or Harris, choosing to couple up with the boxer.
Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall

Will and Ron stepped forward for the third girl in, make-up artist Lana Jenkins, 25.
She chose partially-sighted Ron, 25, a financial advisor, who said he was ‘absolutely buzzing’ at being coupled up with Lana. And they did look super-cute together.
Olivia Hawkins and Will Young

Fourth up was actress Olivia Hawkins, 27, from Brighton, and both boxer Haris Namani – who recognised her – and farmer Will Young, 23, stepped forward for her.
But Olivia didn’t hold back, choosing to reject both boys and stealing super-fit teacher Kai from Anna-May, who admitted she was ‘gutted’. The drama didn’t end there – Kai didn’t hang about, stepping straight forward for the next girl in, Tanyel, who chose him – eventually leaving Olivia and Will stuck with each other. Awks.
Tanyel Revan and Kai Fagan

London-based make-up artist Tanyel Revan, 26, ruffled feathers when Kai – who’d only just been stolen by Olivia – stepped forward for her along with Haris and Will.
Tanyel chose Kai, who admitted to feeling ‘a little bit gassed’ having had three women after him.
First Bombshell Choice
Olivia Hawkins and Tom Clare

On day two, bombshell contestant Tom Clare, 23 – voted for by the public – made quite the entrance, chatting to all the girls one by one.
He revealed he likes blondes and in a game where he had to snog the ‘three fittest girls’ chose Lana, Olivia and Tanyel. But he decided to crack on with brunette Olivia, stealing her from Haris – leaving farmer Will single and at risk of eviction.
But Olivia had already told Haris that even if Tom chose her, she was still keen.
First Recoupling
Anna-May Robey and Kai Fagan

Anna-May had been keen on Kai from the off – initially coupling up with him before Olivia stole him and left her with boxer Haris.
So when she had first choice of all the boys – including new bombshell David Salako – Anna-May was straight in there nabbing Kai. Who did, to be fair, look a bit gutted at being back with her.
She said she chose to recouple with him because ‘He’s had my eye since day one and I like listening to his little stories.’
Zara Lackenby-Brown and Tom Clare

Second up was bombshell Zara Lackenby-Brown, who hadn’t wasted any time showing how much she liked Kai. But with him off the market, she decided to couple up with the first bombshell, Tom.
‘He’s made me feel incredibly welcome,’ Zara said. ‘He’s made his feelings known and I can see us working on the outside.’
Olivia Hawkins and Haris Namani

Actress Olivia had already told Haris how keen she was on him, even before bombshell Tom stole her.
So she decided to recouple up with the boxer, saying : ‘From the moment we met, there was attraction – and I like the fun and playful side he brings out in me.’
Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Muhammed

Things were looking a tad dodgy between Tanya and Shaq, who’d been paired up since the launch. After bombshell David’s arrival, Tanya admitted ‘her head might turn.’
And we’d had Pong-gate – when a scuffle kicked off between Shaq and Haris after David kissed Tanya in the game and Haris asked about it.
But Tanya decided to stick with Shaq, saying : ‘He’s told me he likes me and put all his eggs in one basket. It would be a shame to watch him go.’
Tanyel Revan and Ron Hall

Fifth up in the recoupling was Tanyel, who’d had her sights set on Kai, and had flirted with Ron to try and make him jealous.
But when it came to the recoupling, she was left with a choice between Will, Ron and David. Tanyel picked Ron, saying: ‘I feel he’s charismatic, got banter, and I’d like to get to know him on a deeper level.’
Lana Jenkins and Will Young

Lana was left in tears when Tanyel chose to recouple with Ron, as she’d been cracking on with him nicely – even though Ron had also started to form a bond with bombshell Zara.
Left with the choice of farmer Will or bombshell David, Lana chose Will, saying: ‘This decision is sh*t.’
It meant David was the first person to be evicted from the villa.
Second Recoupling
Ellie Spence and Ron Hall

Oh, Ellie! Ellie Spence, the bombshell of the competition, got first pick of the lads on day 11, despite the fact that Ron and Lana were making out like there was no tomorrow, despite the fact that they were paired up with Tanyel and Will.
She didn’t waste any time and went straight for Ron, citing her belief that ‘I don’t think he’s met his match yet.’
Ron appeared to be in a state of appropriate stress, but he also appeared to be tremendously gratified. And Lana just looked homicidal.
Spencer Wilks and Olivia Hawkins

The next contestant was the stunning Spencer Wilks, who chose the unattached Olivia and explained her reasoning by stating, “She’s had her ups and downs but seems genuinely straight up.”
And Olivia, who had been flirting with Zara’s Tom pretty much ever since her boyfriend Haris was sent out of the villa, couldn’t stop smiling. She had been making a move on Zara’s Tom pretty much ever since. Or perhaps we should say gloating.
When ‘posh’ Spencer revealed that he worked as a vibrator salesperson and couldn’t forget about Tom or Haris fast enough, she couldn’t help but chuckle.
Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga

When it was Shaq’s turn to pick, he took everyone by complete surprise by selecting to maintain his relationship with Tanya.
Since she was temporarily distracted by the bombshell David, who has since been kicked out of the house, the two of them have become even closer. Literally. According to the cringeworthy conversation that took place between the females about what they had been doing in bed thus far.
Shaq declared as they gathered around the fire pit, “The time we’ve spent at the villa has been incredible, and I can honestly see myself falling in love with her.”
Tom Clare and Zara Lackenby-Brown

After Olivia, who was still unmarried, had spent the previous several days attempting to start a relationship with Tom, it was Tom’s turn in the recoupling process. However, bombshell Spencer already had her in his possession.
When presented with the option of staying teamed up with Zara, Tanyel, or Lana, Tom selected Zara and expressed his excitement about their future together by saying, “I’m really thrilled to see how far we can go.”
If Olivia had been available, do you think he would have picked her instead?
Kai Fagan and Tanyel Revan

After Kai was kidnapped by Anna-May, Tanya and Kai were both eager to get back together with each other so they could continue their previous relationship.
Despite being in a relationship with Anna-May and Ron, they continued to make progress in their relationship.
So Kai – single since Anna-May’s eviction – chose Tanyel, saying: ‘Every time I see her I get absolutely gassed – and she knows it.’
Will Young and Jessie Wynter

Awwww. Following the development of their endearing friendship during the season of Love Island 2023, many viewers are of the opinion that Will and Jessie will emerge victorious.
Will had become close to single bombshell Jessie Wynter during the time that he was paired with Lana (who was busy snogging Ron), so it should not have come as a surprise to anybody when he decided to recouple with her.
Even more embarrassing, he then proceeded to provide a classic Will-style complement by describing Jessie as “beautiful, hilarious, and a little bit odd.” Bless.
Aaron Waters and Lana Jenkins

Oh, how awful. Aaron Waters, a single Australian bombshell, was left with a very unhappy Lana, and it’s far from a stretch to suggest that there was less than nil sexual tension between them.
When Aaron added, ‘I think we’ll get on really well and form a great friendship – at least we can talk about Harry Potter all night.’ Ron did appear jealous while Aaron was speaking.
In the meantime, poor Lana was crying her eyes out. Again.
Third recoupling
Will Young and Jessie Wynter

Let’s all say it together: awwww. Since the time the bombshell entered the villa, Farmer Will has been smitten with the ‘country girl’ Jessie, and in the second recoupling, he picked her as his partner.
This time around, he went first and had the opportunity to choose from any of the available females, including Jessie, Lana, Olivia, Zara, Tanya, Tanyel, Samie, and Ellie. He made the decision to remain with Jessie.
Will stated, “From the minute she arrived into the villa, we’ve been glued together like glue.” “From the moment she came into the villa.” “She is the most gorgeous girl I have ever seen, and being around her makes me a better person,” he said. There are no problems in paradise. Yet.
Aaron Waters and Lana Jenkins

In the most recent round of recoupling, Aaron and Lana were forced to be together, which, to tell you the truth, did not sit well with either of them.
And ever since then, Lana has devoted every waking second to either thinking about Ron, talking about Ron, or attempting to determine the position of his rotating head. Which has primarily been with bombshell Samie Elishi ever since she showed up, despite the fact that fans have been pleading for Lana to move on.
Aaron was in second place to select, but he decided to recouple with Lana as a friend despite the fact that he was aware that she may be eliminated from the game if he didn’t. Aaron took a jab at Ron when he remarked, “I think she deserves to be in here and deserves more than what she’s received.” Aaron’s comment was intended as a dig at Ron.
Spencer Wilks and Olivia Hawkins

Spencer made the decision to stay with Olivia, but this was by no means a foregone conclusion for the vibrator salesman. Olivia’s mind has been all over the place, and Spencer was not sure what to expect. She spent the most of her time with “player” Tom until she discovered that he had been playing tonsil tennis with newcomer Ellie.
The reconciling of the couple took place not long after Olivia called Tom out on his deceitful behaviour.
But Spencer, who was third to choose, said: ‘Over the past few days, she’s really put in the time to get to know me. And she’s stunning.’
Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga

What can we say? They’ve been together since the beginning, and in several moving situations that made us cry real, authentic tears, Shaq and Tanya have shown their love for one another by saying “I love you.”
Therefore, it came as absolutely no surprise when Shaq, who had the fourth selection, selected Tanya.
‘Seeing her smile every day makes me smile,’ Shaq said. ‘I honestly feel the future we will have together will be something special. She makes my heart skip a beat.’
Kai Fagan and Samie Elishi

Single Kai, who was coupled with tanyel, did not attempt to hide the fact that he was interested in the conversation that Samie Elishi had been trying to have with all of the males. He was the sixth player to go, and he picked the bombshell Samie.
But Samie didn’t seem too happy about it, perhaps because she had her sights set on Ron, whose gaze had been turning in her direction ever since she stepped in. In fact, he told Samie’s partner Lana that she was “just as lovely as Samie.” Awks.
Kai said: ‘She’s absolutely beautiful, she’s got a brilliant personality and I’d like to see if there’s a genuine connection there.’
Ron Hall and Tanyel Revan

Ron is now in a relationship with Ellie, but he can’t seem to stop thinking about the newcomer Samie. And, of course, there is the long-term love interest, devoted Lana, who had now reached her breaking point.
Ron had to choose between Zara, Tanyel, and Ellie, and he went with the one he considers to be his “best friend.” However, the other people who live on the island are certain that there is a hidden connection between them, even if they are unaware of it.
‘She has stood by me and watched me mess up time and time again,’ Ron said. ‘I think she’s the most beautiful person, inside and out.’
Tom Clare and Ellie Spence

Poor Zara. She had previously been in a relationship with Tom, but the two of them had a nasty falling out, which resulted in Zara giving a vicious denunciation of “player” Tom, whom she called “community penis,” not long before she started seeing someone else.
Because Tom could only choose between kissing her and a single version of Ellie, both of whom he already knew he liked, her future was effectively predetermined because Tom would never go back to Zara.
Speaking about newbie Ellie, Tom said: ‘She’s had a rough time in the villa so far. I believe she’s genuine and does want to meet someone. She deserves a fair shot.’
Who is currently coupled up on Winter Love Island 2023?
- Will Young and Jessie Wynter
- Aaron Waters and Lana Jenkins
- Spencer Wilks and Olivia Hawkins
- Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga
- Kai Fagan and Samie Elishi
- Ron Hall and Tanyel Revan
- Tom Clare and Ellie Spence
Love Island airs week nights at 9pm on ITV2 with all episodes to date available on ITVX.