Love Island’s latest heartthrob, Harry Cooksley, has found himself at the center of a scandal as his ex-girlfriend, a model in her 20s, dropped a jaw-dropping revelation. The 30-year-old gold dealer and semi-pro footballer, who has been turning heads on the ITV2 dating show, allegedly juggled relationships with 12 women simultaneously before entering the villa, leaving a trail of heartbreak in his wake.
The unnamed ex, speaking exclusively to The Sun, revealed she was contacted by a dozen women via social media, all claiming they believed they were in exclusive relationships with Harry. Describing herself as “distraught,” she branded him a “serial sh**ger” and expressed her devastation over his alleged betrayal. “I thought we were serious,” she told the outlet. “I can’t get over how he can do this to girls and get away with it. The number of women he’s hurt is unbelievable.”
According to the model, the women connected online, forming a group to share their stories of Harry’s deceptive behavior. Some believed they were in committed relationships, while others described casual hookups or dates. “It’s disgusting,” she added, voicing concern for the women currently vying for Harry’s affection on Love Island. “He’s a serial sh**ger, and the way he’s treated me and others is appalling.”
Harry’s actions on the show have only fueled the fire. Just 56 hours into the series, he made Love Island history with the fastest-ever Hideaway sleepover, spending the night with air hostess Helena Ford, 29, despite not being coupled up with her. The move raised eyebrows, especially since Harry was already cozying up to model Shakira Khan, 22, with whom he shared kisses and cuddles on camera.
However, Harry’s wandering eye didn’t stop there. After insisting his Hideaway encounter with Helena was just a “PG kiss” and a cuddle, he told others he felt a deeper connection with Shakira, claiming she had “more substance.” Yet, he soon flirted heavily with new arrival Angel Swift, telling her, “I’m very attracted to you.” This flip-flopping led to a villa showdown, with the women accusing Harry of toying with Helena’s emotions after he abruptly ended their connection.
Despite the drama, Harry has since re-coupled with Shakira, and the pair have been spotted sharing a bed, kissing, and cuddling. But his past continues to haunt him, with his exes and their allies taking to social media to air their grievances.
The allegations extend beyond his model ex’s claims. The Sun reported in June that multiple women took to social media to expose Harry’s pre-villa antics. One claimed he “liked” her on the dating app Hinge just two weeks before the show. Another revealed he took her sister-in-law on a date eight weeks prior but couldn’t cover the bill, joking, “Let’s hope they don’t charge for drinks in the villa!” A third woman alleged Harry owed her friend money for drinks from a date, while others claimed he was “exclusively dating” their friends for months, with one saying he ended a relationship just days before Love Island began, citing a fake trip to Bali as his excuse.
Adding fuel to the fire, Harry’s former girlfriend of four years, Emma Munro, entered the villa as a bombshell and didn’t mince words about their past. “Harry is my ex-boyfriend,” she declared. “We broke up because he was misbehaving.” Her candid remarks echoed the sentiments of Harry’s other exes, painting a picture of a man with a pattern of questionable behavior.
Harry’s antics have even left his own mother exasperated. Appearing on Love Island: Aftersun, she jokingly told host Maya Jama she’s “disowned” her son over his villa conduct. “Harry who?” she quipped, shaking her head at his brutally honest remarks and questionable actions. “It just rolls off his tongue,” she added, stunned that he seemed to forget the cameras were rolling.
The controversy doesn’t end there. During a villa challenge, it was revealed that Harry once slept with an entire women’s football team, a revelation that left viewers and his fellow islanders stunned. His mum, clearly unimpressed, admitted she didn’t approve of his behavior, saying, “Oh my God, how can you forget the camera’s on you?”
Before entering the villa, Harry made it clear he wasn’t ruling out taking things to the next level on national television. “If it feels right, I’m definitely open to it,” he said, even admitting he’d “briefed” his mum about the possibility of having sex on the show. True to his word, Harry’s bold moves—coupling up, flirting, and hopping between women—have kept viewers glued to their screens, even as they spark outrage
As Harry continues to navigate the villa, his past and present collide, raising questions about whether he’s genuinely looking for love or simply playing the field. With his exes banding together and his mum publicly calling him out, one thing’s for sure: Harry Cooksley’s Love Island journey is anything but predictable.