Love Island UK’s Tyrique Hyde, the chiseled heartthrob from Season 10, is back in the spotlight and stirring up drama before even stepping foot in the Love Island Games villa. In a sizzling new promo video for the upcoming show, the 26-year-old reality star dropped a bombshell about his past relationship with ex-girlfriend Ella Thomas, leaving fans reeling and social media buzzing with hot takes. With a smirk and a shrug, Tyrique questioned whether he’s ever truly been in love, a statement that’s got everyone wondering: is he rewriting history, or is he just playing the game?
Tyrique and Ella, 25, were the fiery on-again, off-again couple that kept viewers glued to their screens during Love Island Season 10. From day one, they coupled up, weathered storms of villa drama, and even made it official as boyfriend and girlfriend before clinching third place in the finale. Their rollercoaster romance was a fan favorite, complete with grand gestures like Tyrique’s swoon-worthy date setup to confess his feelings for Ella. But fast forward to early 2024, and the pair called it quits for good after a series of breakups and reconciliations, as revealed by The Sun. Now, Ella has moved on with Charlton Athletic footballer Lloyd Jones, while Tyrique seems ready to stir the pot.
In the Love Island Games promo, Tyrique strutted onto the scene looking buffed and battle-ready, oozing confidence as he hyped up his competitive edge. “You have to be competitive in life. You compete every day, especially as a man,” he declared, setting the tone for his return. Reflecting on his Season 10 journey, he said, “I walked in on day one, coupled up with Ella, made her my girlfriend, got all the way to the final, and ended up coming third. I had a blast, but this time might be a little bit different.” Different, indeed—especially with the shade he’s throwing Ella’s way.
The real jaw-dropper came when Tyrique mused, “I don’t know if I’ve been in love or not. People ask me, was you in love? I don’t know.” Fans who watched him pine for Ella, orchestrate romantic moments, and bare his soul on national TV were floored. Was this the same Tyrique who seemed head-over-heels? The comment felt like a dagger to their love story, and netizens didn’t hold back. “Oh wow. Why try to downplay his love for his first gf like it never happened?” one fan posted on X. Another chimed in, “HIM TRYING TO REWRITE HISTORY IS CRAZY,” while a third clapped back, “Ty, be for real. We watched you fall in love with Ella.”
Tyrique’s promo antics didn’t stop at questioning his past feelings. He leaned into his playboy persona, boasting, “I feel like I’ll be the best at getting the most women.” Rating his skills, he gave himself a 7 for agility, 8 for pace, and a perfect 10 for flirting. “I do love snogging,” he added with a grin. “You can tell a lot about someone by the way they kiss. We call it lipsing back home.” He wrapped up with a promise to be “open to finding someone” and a cheeky, “Let’s have it.” But fans weren’t buying the nonchalant vibe. “The comments will have you thinking he’s done a madness on his season. When in reality Ty was married off first week with Ella,” one viewer noted, while another called his love-doubting claim “diabolical.”
Social media is now a battleground of theories about Tyrique’s motives. Some fans think he’s genuinely reflecting, suggesting the intense Love Island environment might’ve clouded his feelings. “Maybe he actually wasn’t ever in love but just thought he was because of the Love Island bubble,” one user speculated. Others aren’t so charitable, branding him “petty” or worse. “It’s the latter,” a fan quipped, implying Tyrique’s just playing dirty. Another urged, “Ty, you fell in love with Ella, and it’s okay to admit that.”
As Tyrique gears up for Love Island Games, his competitive streak—honed from his days as a soccer player—is front and center. “I’ll step on toes. I don’t care,” he warned, signaling he’s ready to shake things up. But with his shady comments about Ella stealing the spotlight, fans are left wondering: is Tyrique here to find love, stir drama, or rewrite his Love Island legacy? One thing’s for sure—the tea is piping hot, and netizens are spilling it all.