LOVE ISLAND WINNER SAMMY ROOT REVEALED HE ASKED EX JESS TO STAY TOGETHER AS THEY “OWED IT TO THE FANS”

Love Island winner Sammy Root revealed he asked his ex Jess Harding to stay together as they “owed it to the fans”.

Chatting to hosts Bobby Norris and Ellen Coughlan on the showbiz gossip programme Access All Areas, the reality star opened up about his break up with fellow Love Islander Jess Harding: It was very mutual. I feel like we both had a feeling that it didn’t seem the same anymore. I remember that the first time we had a chat was at her house. But when we first had that chat, we said “let’s try” because we’ve just been voted to win this show and then we’re sort of breaking up straight away. Not that we owe anyone anything but for me personally I felt like I did owe the fans. Because they had voted to make us win and so to break up straight away, I felt it was out of order really. It was more me saying “come on let’s try and make this work” but further down the road it just wasn’t working. Neither of us wanted to force it. We’d rather keep it healthy and just end it rather than trying to force it and end up in tears.”

He continued: “I wouldn’t have done anything differently. We did both try to make it work when we were outside but life in the villa as opposed to life when you get out is so different and I think neither of us were expecting it to be that different. We just didn’t really adjust to each other. I made the odd mistake along the way but that’s how we learn.”

Later in the interview, the 23-year-old revealed he would like to go on Love Island: All Stars and chose the girls he would like to be in the villa with him: “Gemma Owen, that’s obvious. And Molly Smith. I’d love a nice Love Island girl playing with my curly hair. Love Island was the best experience of my life so to say no would be stupid. For me it’s definitely on the cards.”

Listen to the full episode, also featuring Kaz Bishop, here.