The Love Island villa is no stranger to drama, heartbreak, and unexpected sparks, but it seems season 12’s Ben and Alima have been hiding a connection that producers might have seen coming from day one. Rumours are swirling that the pair, whose chemistry lit up the villa before fizzling out, are rekindling their romance in the outside world—and fans are buzzing with excitement.
Viewers first caught glimpses of something special between Ben and Alima during their time in the villa. Their flirty banter and undeniable connection had fans rooting for them, but the Heart Rate Challenge threw a wrench in their budding romance, leading to Ben’s shock exit from the show. In the aftermath, Ben briefly coupled up with Andrada, but that relationship crashed and burned just days before the Love Island final, leaving both Ben and Alima single and ready to reconnect.
Now, sources close to the pair have revealed to The Sun that Ben and Alima are picking up where they left off. “Alima and Ben have grown close since leaving the villa,” an insider shared. “Ben’s split from Andrada left him single, and Alima’s also unattached. They’re indulging in some playful flirting, trying to recapture the spark they had in the villa.” While the source cautioned that it’s “very early stages,” they confirmed the pair are enjoying getting to know each other again, hinting at a “lovely connection” that could blossom into something more
The speculation kicked into high gear when Ben posted a cryptic sketch of his “soulmate” on social media—a drawing that bore a striking resemblance to Alima. Fans weren’t the only ones to notice; their fellow season 12 islander Shakira fanned the flames, commenting, “Please collect your boyfriend” and tagging Alima, sending the rumour mill into overdrive. The plot thickened when Ben shared a video of himself strolling across a bridge, prompting castmate Harrison to cheekily ask, “Who’s recording?👀” Fans were quick to assume Alima was behind the camera, with comments flooding in like, “Alima and Ben are back!” and “We need Ben and Alima content please!”
Reflecting on their time in the villa, Ben previously opened up about his unexpected connection with Alima. “It wasn’t planned at all,” he admitted. “When Remell left, we naturally gravitated toward each other. We were attracted to each other, got along so well—it just made sense. Alima’s one of the nicest girls I’ve ever met, funny and gorgeous. Her Heart Rate Challenge performance? I loved every second of it.”
Alima, too, has hinted at the potential for more. “Ben and I locked eyes on day one,” she revealed. “He’s a bit misunderstood sometimes—he doesn’t always express himself well—but you could see his growth in the villa. He calmed down, apologised to those he needed to, and showed a softer side. He was there for me a lot, and it’s a shame we didn’t get to explore things further.”
Could producers have known about this simmering connection all along? Some fans speculate that the Love Island team orchestrated the drama, knowing Ben and Alima’s chemistry could make for compelling TV. While neither Ben nor Alima has officially confirmed their romance, the clues are piling up, and viewers are glued to their social media for the next hint of their “secret” spark. Will this villa fling turn into a real-world love story? We’re keeping our eyes peeled for what’s next!