LOVE Island’s Harry Cooksley has revealed a HUGE step in his relationship with Shakira Khan.
The pair finished in second place on the 2025 edition of the long-running ITV dating show.
9 Harry Cooksley has revealed a huge step in his relationship with ShakiraCredit: Instagram
9 The reality star told The Sun that he is travelling up to Burnley to spend time with her familyCredit: Getty
9 He didn’t get off to the best start with her family after the GraftiesCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Now they are out of the Love Island villa, the duo are getting used to life together away from the cameras and Harry, 30, could not be happier.
“Obviously it’s new for both of us. It’s a new experience for both of us and I’m so grateful to be doing it with her,” he told The Sun in an exclusive chat.
Speaking to us at the Freely launch event, he added: “I think both of us lean on each other so much.”
Although he was introduced to Shakira’s mum as part of the obligatory ‘meet the parents’ twist, it’s fair to say they didn’t get off to the best start.
During his time on the smash-hit reality series, he was at the centre of gripping drama.
Although he struck up a romance with Shakira, 22, his head was turned by air hostess Helena Ford, 29.
Despite becoming ‘exclusive’, he still maintained a connection with Shakira, and the duo kept on flirting and getting to know each other.
This was later exposed at the highly-anticipated Grafties awards ceremony, where clips were played out to the villa.
Shakira’s mother was not best pleased, however it now seems that Harry plans to win them around.
In a huge step, the footballer told us that he plans to imminently travel up to Burnley to meet the wider family – and he’s looking forward to the quality time.
Love Island star Harry reveals why he still hasn’t gone exclusive with Shakira after controversial villa romance
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, he admitted: “I’m going up to Burnley, within the next few days, so I’m hoping I’ll get to spend some time with her family then.
“It’s a big step, it’s a massive step and it’s a huge thing for me as well, like her family have [only] seen an hour [of me] a day.”
‘The real me’
Harry is determined to prove himself to Shakira’s family and show that he’s different than from how he appeared on Love Island.
The Farnham Town midfielder told us: “They don’t have the highest opinion of me, but they’ve seen the TV view.
“They don’t know the nice scenes, the nice parts of you that weren’t necessarily shown on the show, the nice scenes that don’t make the edit.”
He’s also admitted that he is looking forward to properly get to know her nearest and dearest away from the cameras.
Harry added: “I want to just spend time with her family off camera and actually get to know them and for them to get to know me.
“I’m quite a good guy. I like to think so, as long as she’s happy.”
Bedroom chat
But it’s the one-on-one time with Shakira that Harry relishes the most, especially in the bedroom.
Harry exclaimed: “The only time we really relax is in bed, and I don’t mean that in any sort of way!”
It’s a big step, it’s a massive step and it’s a huge thing for me as well
Harry Cooksley
However, he revealed that this is the time when the pair open up and have deep and meaningful conversations together.
“But when we get in bed, we’ve been living out of hotels, when we get in bed in the evening, we really talk honestly and about how we feel,” he exclusively told us.
“It’s just so lovely to spend that time with her. Like those are the moments I’m living for.
“[When I am] just in bed with her and we can talk openly and honestly about how we feel.”
9 Harry told us that he couldn’t wait to get to know her family away from the camerasCredit: Getty
9 The footballer noted that they only saw one hour a day and not necessarily the nice scenesCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
9 The couple had a turbulent journey in the villa but they ended up in second placeCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
9 He now loves spending time with Shakira away from the TV camerasCredit: Splash
9 Harry admitted that the pair have deep and meaningful conversations in the eveningCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
9 The footballer also admitted that they open up to each other and they ‘lean’ on each other