Love Island’s Jacques O’Neill will reportedly be absent from the ITV2 dating show reunion set to air this weekend after quitting the villa in emotional scenes.
The 23-year-old rugby player was due to join his co-stars at the annual reunion, where the stars gather for one final time to reflect on the series as a whole.
However, it has now been reported that Jacques will not be in attendance at the event, where his former partner Paige Thorne will be seen alongside Adam Collard.
Although the Welsh paramedic has returned to the UK and Jacques has caught up with Islanders Dami Hope and Luca Bish, the former flames have yet to get in touch and now wont do so at the reunion which is being filmed on Thursday evening.
A source told The Sun : “Everybody is getting together for a huge party tonight in London. ITV has put everyone up in a hotel so there’s no need for anyone to miss out.
“Unfortunately Jacques has decided he’s just not ready to see Paige quite yet and especially not with Adam.
“He’s made the decision to wait for a more suitable moment to talk to her again after everything he’s been through.”
Paige addressed Jacques' exit after she was dumped from the villa, saying: “Honestly, I had a feeling that he was going to leave. It was really hard hearing him say it out loud, but I knew there was nothing I could say to make him want to change his mind.
“I knew that wouldn’t be right. I fully supported his decision, absolutely I could never have sat there and asked him to stay.”
She added: “It did cross my mind a little bit to leave with him, but things hadn’t been 100% all the way through, and the fact that they weren’t was what made me think.
“The fact that I stayed and I gave 100% to the experience and found something new and something more suited towards me just goes to show that everything happens for a reason.”
Love Island fans will be treated to a special extended live edition to catch up on life after the villa and what it’s been like being with their partner on the outside.
Viewers also get the inside scoop on events in the villa that might not have aired, while Islanders will address any drama that has unfolded since, as host Laura interviews the finalists.
The 2022 Love Island reunion episode is set to air on Sunday, August 7 on ITV2.
