The 2023 season of Winter Love Island concludes tonight (Monday, March 13) with the grand final.
While the UK has been experiencing many cold spells this winter, the hit ITV2 dating programme has been providing heat from the South African villa since mid-January.
Breakups, make-ups, chaos-causing bombshells, and double dumping drama, as well as Casa Amor fights, plenty of tears, and even a few vows of love, have all been witnessed by viewers.
With the shocking last-minute dumping of Jessie Wynter and farmer Will Young, fans will now get to see which of the four remaining couples will take home the £50,000 prize fund.
So, who couples have advanced to the Love Island finale? Let us have a look…
Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Muhammad
Tanya Manhenga, 22, from Liverpool, and Shaq Muhammad, 24, from London, initially formed a couple in the first episode.
It’s been one of the villa’s most tumultuous relationships this year, especially when the couple’s devotion was tested in Casa Amor. When Tanya returned with bombshell Martin Akinola, Shaq found himself unexpectedly single.
Tanya eventually apologised to Shaq with a speech proclaiming her love for him, and the pair reunited.
It wasn’t all plain sailing from there, as they still had to deal with Movie Night video and Shaq’s family showing up to offer their thoughts in the penultimate episode.
Tanya and Shaq are headed into the final as boyfriend and girlfriend, despite their ups and downs, after Shaq proposed a few episodes ago and Tanya said yes.
He said: ‘This whole journey that we’ve been on here together. It’s something I could never have imagined, meeting someone like you.
‘I think for me, the way I feel about you. I think it’s only right that I wanna make you my girlfriend.’
Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall
Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall, both 25, were also paired on the premiere episode.
From Luton and Essex, the two appeared like a fantastic fit from the start – and Ron seemed especially pleased to have Lana as his companion, as if he couldn’t believe his good fortune.
However, the relationship has been a roller coaster ride, from Ron discovering Lana’s ex is Hollyoaks hunk Owen Warner to the love triangle turmoil with Casey O’Gorman.
Still, they’ve been boyfriend and girlfriend since the end of February, when Ron proposed.
He told her: ‘I’ve never had a relationship or anything like that so for me it’s a massive thing.
‘And we’ve said to each other about being exclusive, but that’s not enough for me. I want the title. I want you to be my girlfriend.’
Lana grinned and said yes, thus the couple enters the final as a legitimate couple, albeit one that has had to cope with charges that Ron has a “game plan” for the programme.
Samie Elishi and Tom Clare
Tom Clare, 23, and Samie Elishi, 22, both came as surprise guests at the villa.
Barnsley-based On the second day, Tom came and met Olivia Hawkins.
He was immediately taken by another bombshell, Zara Lackenby-Brown, sparking passionate arguments between the two ladies before subsequently marrying Ellie Spence.
Meanwhile, when Londoner Samie arrived in South Africa, she was picked by Kai Fagan, despite having her sights set on Ron – but she soon developed close to Tom, and the two have been together ever since.
Despite having a’slow burn’ relationship and being a pair after ‘Terrace Tom’ had a smooch with Casa Amor newcomer Lydia Karakyriakou, which caused conflict on Movie Night.
On a recent episode, Tom dropped the L-bomb, telling Samie he’d fallen in love with her, and in the series’ penultimate episode, Samie’s family seemed to approve.
According to Oddschecker, Samie and Tom are now the favourites to win the programme.
Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan
Sanam Harrinanan, 24, from Bedford, arrived at the Casa Amor property as a Casa Amor surprise.
She piqued the interest of Manchester rugby player Kai Fagan, 24, who was dating Olivia at the time.
After the trial, he opted to join with Sanam, and amid tense circumstances, Olivia also returned from Casa Amor with a new partner, having had her head changed by Maxwell Samuda.
In Kai’s case, it proved to be the correct one, as he and Sanam have been together ever since.
Supporters have been pulling for the couple from their first kayaking date, as their chemistry was palpable.
During the penultimate episode, both of their families looked pleased with the match, with tears even falling when Sanam’s loved ones reminded her that her late father would have approved.
Winter Love Island 2023 concludes tonight at 9pm on ITVX.
Source My Celebrity Life.
