Love Island fans thought they had found their winners but they appear to have swiftly changed their minds after Ron Hall decided to make Lana Jenkins his girlfriend. Sunday night's trip to the South African villa saw the continued fallout from the arrival of two new bombshells.
At the end of last week, newcomers Rosie Seabrook and Keanan Brand had barely any time to settle into the villa before islanders received a text telling them to gather around the fire pit. The shake-up saw Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Muhammad set aside their previous arguments and recouple – leaving Casa Amor bombshell Martin Akinola single.
Martin, who became close with Tanya during their time in the infamous spin-off villa, was subsequently dumped from the ITV2 dating show. And Rosie and Keanan's choices ruffled feathers as 24-year-old Rosie, an industry placement adviser from Buckinghamshire, chose to couple with Casey O'Gorman while Wigan rugby player Keanan, also 24, opted to couple up with Claudia Fogarty meaning the former couple had been split.
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And 28-year-old business owner Claudia, who is the daughter of former motorcycle racer Carl Fogarty, was left in tears following Rosie’s decision, telling a number of the female islanders: "I never thought this would happen to me, I never thought I’d get this attached."
During Sunday night's episode (February 27), Rosie and Casey spoke about their growing connection, with Casey saying: "You’ve come in and it’s just changed everything for me." He added: "I didn’t think my head would move from Claudia and it really has." Later, Rosie told Casey: "You definitely tick a lot of what I would look for in somebody."
As the episode drew to a close, Claudia made her feelings clear to Casey. "I never wanted to be someone’s option," she said. She added: "I'm not here to waste time," to which a stubborn Casey replied: "I’ve got to put my feelings first in this."
Meanwhile, things were looking up for another pairing as viewers saw the first 'official' couple of the series made. In the closing scenes of the episode Ron, 25, took Lana, also 25, off for a private chat. He told her that being in a couple was "not enough" for him and neither was being exclusive and despite some tough patches in their blossoming romance, he wanted to make their relationship official.
The makeup artist beamed as she basked in her new relationship status and said: "I came in here to find someone, I was genuinely out there looking for love and that’s what I found." Ron later said: "First person I can call my missus," as Lana also confirmed in the Beach Hut: "I am Ron's first ever girlfriend!"
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But Love Island viewers were quick to call out the statement as they were convinced Ron previously said he has been single for four years, suggesting he had a girlfriend before. @shyannpatrice tweeted: "Ron saying he’s been single for 4 years but yet Lana is his first gf? ????????? #loveisland."
@WeonsmokeCo commented: "Ron said he’s been single for 4 years…. But Lana is his first girlfriend? The math isn’t mathing #LoveIsland." @imsodanik2 shared: "'First gf' didn’t Ron say his last relationship was 4 years ago? #loveisland." @AshLee29758964 added: "Wait so did Ron already have a relationship 4 years ago or is Lana his first gf? Confusion #loveisland."
But despite the confusion, Love Island viewers think the move has set Ron and Lana up to win - despite championing Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan for the £50,000 prize money. @itis_Gb tweeted: "Ron & Lana are gonna win #loveisland."
@iamcedrica said: "Ron & Lana are about to win cause Will couldn’t keep his tongue in his mouth during casa amor #LoveIsland." @AnjicaxS commented: "I want Sanam to win but we all know how the UK votes and they’ll make Ron and Lana win instead #LoveIsland." @dezire_a5 added: "I can’t believe Ron and Lana are about to win this show. #loveisland."
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