The latest season of ITV2’s Love Island wrapped up with a whirlwind of drama, crowning Toni Laites and Cach Mercer as the winners in a nail-biting finale. The battle for the top spot came down to four couples: Toni & Cach, Shakira Khan & Harry Cooksley, Angel Swift & Ty Isherwood, and Yasmin Pettet & Jamie Rhodes. While fans widely believed Shakira Khan was a frontrunner to clinch the title, her partner Harry Cooksley’s antics in the villa may have cost her the crown, according to Aftersun host Sam Thompson.
Shakira’s journey in the villa was nothing short of captivating, with her charisma and charm winning over viewers. However, Sam Thompson, speaking to The Sun on behalf of M&M’s Couch Confessions, suggested that Harry’s behavior held her back. “Shakira was slightly held back by Harry, yeah,” Sam admitted, pointing to Harry’s rocky moments in the villa. “But do you know what? He had a bit of a personality transplant at the end. Now, I think he’s madly in love with her, and that won’t change.”
Sam predicted a bright future for the couple outside the villa, noting, “They’ll come out, and he’ll see how well she’s doing and probably fall even more in love with her. I think they’ll go strong for a while.” Despite this optimism, he couldn’t help but acknowledge that Shakira might have won the show if not for Harry’s missteps.
Sam was full of praise for winners Toni and Cach, whose emotional authenticity resonated with viewers. “I loved his tears,” Sam said of Cach. “I know it sounds weird, but I love that he showed that emotion. He also would never look at her when talking to her, which I found so interesting. I think he’s really shy, but that’s so endearing.” He added, “You can tell he’s just a nice guy. It’s good to see nice guys do well who don’t start as the OGs.”
Cach’s quiet charm and genuine connection with Toni won over the audience, proving that understated sincerity can triumph in the high-drama world of Love Island.
The season wasn’t without its share of tension, particularly among the female Islanders. Clashes between Toni Laites, Shakira Khan, Helena, and Meg Moore kept viewers glued to their screens. The drama peaked when Harry Cooksley, after making his partnership with Helena “exclusive,” did a U-turn back to Shakira, stirring up conflict in the villa.
Reflecting on the heated dynamics, Sam shared, “I went into the house a few days ago, and it’s small. You’re on top of each other, so you’re going to get all of that happening. They’ll get out and all be best of pals. They’ll have a WhatsApp group—someone will leave it first, but they’re all pals.”
When asked which couple might be the first to part ways, Sam hesitated to make a firm prediction but speculated, “Do you think it’ll be Meg and Dejon? I do think they’ve got something to prove now. I don’t think they’ll break up any time soon.” He also highlighted the strength of the remaining couples, particularly praising Yasmin Pettet for her remarkable journey. “Yas had an amazing story arc,” he said. “At the start, she was risqué, and I love now that we’ve seen a bit of warmth and heart. She was my favorite Islander.”
Sam, a self-proclaimed Love Island superfan, shared his TV-watching quirks while promoting M&M’s Couch Confessions, a playful pop-up experience celebrating Britain’s TV habits, which launched in Battersea on August 5. “I’m a pauser, I’m a talker, I’m a sub-titler, I’m a tea maker, I’m a fiddler,” he confessed. The 33-year-old also revealed his plans to invest in a slanket—a cozy blanket with arm holes, foot pockets, and snack compartments—to share with his cats, humorously adding, “I’m not sharing it with anyone at the moment, just me and my cats.”
In a cheeky aside, Sam’s best friend Pete Wicks recently teased him for “shooting his shot” with Olivia Attwood’s married sister, adding another layer of intrigue to Sam’s off-screen antics.
As Love Island fans recover from the rollercoaster of this season’s drama, Sam Thompson’s candid insights have sparked fresh conversations about Shakira and Harry’s journey. While Toni and Cach walked away with the crown, the question remains: could Shakira have taken the win if Harry hadn’t “held her back”? One thing’s for sure—this season delivered unforgettable moments, and the Islanders’ stories are far from over.