Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Rebecca Cook

Love Island final: Ekin-Su and Davide crowned 2022 winners as couple 'set to make millions'

Davide Sanclimenti and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu have won Love Island 2022 after a spectacular series of villa drama.

The final – which aired on ITV2 on Monday night – saw the pair's tumultuous and drama-soaked journey end in glee as they jumped with joy when host Laura Whitmore announced they had won £50k.

The loved-up pair came out victorious after they went head to head with finalists Gemma Owen and Luca Bish.

Ekin-Su, 27, broke down in tears as Laura finally entered the villa and revealed which couple had triumphed in the ITV2 dating show’s eight series, while Davide, also 27, gasped "I can't believe it".

The couple had also beaten couples Indiyah Polack and Dami Hope and Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, who finished third and fourth respectively.

Ahead of the dramatic final, the bookies were backing Davide and Ekin-Su for the win to take home the prize money.

Laura Whitmore finally entered the villa and revealed which couple had triumphed (ITV)

The fan favourite couple were odds-on favourites to go all the way and be crowned champions of this year's series of Love Island.

Befred had the Italian business owner and the Turkish actress as 1/8 on to win the public vote this evening – meaning gamblers would have to part with £8 in return for winning an additional £1!

The gambling company also predicted the fiery couple may become the first couple not to split the £50,000 cash prize – with both stars down as 25/1 to steal the prize money if they win.

The final saw the pair's tumultuous and drama-soaked journey end in glee (ITV)

Unlike in previous years, the winning couple did not have to choose whether to split or steal the prize money.

This comes after reports Ekin-Su and Gemma are both set for £1million paydays as the real winners of this year’s Love Island.

The glamorous pair have been earmarked as the biggest potential earners from the 2022 series, with brands queuing up to sign them.

Ahead of the dramatic final, the bookies were backing Davide and Ekin-Su for the win (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

An insider said: “Ekin-Su and Gemma have been the stand-out stars in terms of marketability. Ekin-Su is not only beautiful, but she also has a captivating personality.

“Gemma has such a wise head on her shoulders. With the Owen name, she already has a big profile which brands want to tap into. And her own swimwear brand, OG Beachwear, will be sure to get a big boost.”

The unlucky contestants who just missed out on a shot at the big prize were Paige Thorne and returning bombshell Adam Collard, after the couple were axed on Sunday night’s episode.

For the finale episode, the villa garden was transformed for the Love Island 2022 summer ball. There were tears and emotional embraces as the finalists shared declarations of love in heartfelt speeches.

Laura Whitmore finally entered the villa and revealed which couple had triumphed (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Dami Hope had to pause and compose himself before reading his vow to Indiyah Polack while during Gemma’s vow to Luca she professed her love for him and said she “can’t wait to start a new chapter”.

Ekin-Su admitted it had been “one hell of a ride” with Davide but added: “They say Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither were we” before saying they were “soul mates”.

They also performed choreographed routines with their other halves following a professional salsa lesson.

Earlier on Monday, the “voice” of Love Island, Iain Stirling, said it was “bitter sweet” that the eighth series was coming to an end.

Scottish comedian and TV star Stirling, 34, has narrated the ITV2 show since 2015 and his wife, Laura Whitmore, has hosted it since 2020.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.