Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan were crowned winners of Love Island 2023 – beating original couple Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins to the £50k cash price.
The social worker and PE teacher, who fell for one another during the Casa Amor trip, melted host Maya Jama’s heart as they discussed their romance ahead of the announcement.
In their final interview, Sanam accidentally revealed she is in love with Kai, while he told viewers to ‘watch this space’ about making the beauty his girlfriend.
After their win, the beauty told Maya: ‘I can’t believe it’, while Kai was lost for words.
WINNERS: Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan were crowned winners of Love Island 2023 – beating original couple Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins to the £50k cash price
Stronger together: Ron and Lana, who have been a couple since the beginning but have had a rocky road during their stint in the villa , narrowly missed out placing second overall
Like every romance on the show, the pair have had a rough ride – with Kai’s former love interest Olivia left furious when his head was turned in Casa Amor – as was hers.
But Kai’s decision to re-couple with Sanam has proven to be a worthy one as they have remained strong ever since.
Tom Clare and Samie Elishi placed third on Love Island during the live final in South Africa on Monday.
First out was airport security officer Shaq Muhammad, 24, and Tanya Manhenga, 22. The couple had the lowest bookies odds of winning due to their rocky romance.
Coupling up on their first day, the pair had one of the most enduring romances of the series, but it nearly ended in Casa Amor when Tanya brought back Martin Akinola.
Dressed to impress: Tom Clare and Samie Elishi were all glammed up for the grand finale and came third
Gorgeous: Maya Jama looked incredible in a racy purple cut out gown as she hosted the show live from the South African villa
Meanwhile Samie, who entered the villa as a late arrival, had originally set her sights on Kai before moving onto Tom – and was left furious by his behaviour on occasion – especially after Casa Amor.
But in recent weeks the pair have settled down, and their relationship is going from strength to strength.
Before Maya announced the first couple who missed out on winning the show, footage aired of the last day in the villa.
The girls enjoy one last boy free trip ahead of the Love Island ball – where many L-bombs were dropped for the first time in emotional speeches.
After receiving a text, the girls were asked to get ready to leave the villa. They are treated to some spa treatments by the pool.
‘We are leaving a whole better version of ourselves,’ Samie reflected.
Sanam added: ‘I feel like a different version of myself.’
The men, who were all suited and booted, were stunned when each one of their partners walked out in a series of glamorous dresses.
But first Tom told the group: ‘So guys, we’ve had an amazing journey. I love you guys all to bits, cheers to an amazing journey’, with the group toasting their time in the villa with champagne.
Sanam Harrinanan, 24, was the first to kick off the declarations of love.
The social worker told her PE teacher boyfriend Kai Fagan, 24: ‘You charmed with your smile, you always managed to make me laugh. You made me feel like a princess and the only girl in the world. I can’t wait for you to come round to my house and for my mum to cook you Caribbean food. You’ve shown me my worth.’
To which he replied: ‘When I came into the villa. I struggled to find love. Then at Casa I found you. The most caring, beautiful, girl I’ve ever met. Every conversation we have draws me closer to you. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as compatible as you. My time in here is literally been in a dream with you. I can’t wait for what the future has in store for us.’
Who will win? The finalists of Love Island gathered to see who would be crowned winners after eight long weeks of drama and fun in the sun
Out: Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Muhammad were the first couple to be dumped from the villa during the live final in South Africa on Monday
Love at first sight: Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins have made it to the final after first setting eyes on each other on the first day
Host: Maya appeared in her element as she presented the show from the villa
Kai went on to praise their similarities such as their passion to work with children to want to make a difference in the world.
Taking to Twitter after the segment, fans of the ITV2 show claimed their words were ‘perfect’, and that they didn’t find the speech ‘cringey’ for the first time.
One wrote, ‘Sanam and Kai’s speech was so perfect #loveisland,’ with another adding, ‘Kai’s speech for Sanam was precious #Loveisland.’
Others penned, ‘The first time I’ve actually liked a final speech kai and sanam #loveisland,’ and, ‘Sanam & Kai’s speech was sooo cuuuuute #loveisland.’
A fifth chimed in with, ‘Kai and Sanam’s speech’s don’t make me cringe and that says enough… the only real couple #loveisland.’
More wrote: ‘The first time I’ve actually liked a final speech kai and sanam #loveisland,’ and, ‘Dont need to hear other speeches still not over Kai and Sanam’s speech #LoveIsland.’
Another concluded: ‘You know Kai likes Sanam because he’s using so many describing words. That speech was like no one else was present bless them. #loveisland.’
Cute: Emotional Love Island viewers lauded Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan for their heartfelt speeches during Monday’s finale episode
Loved-up: The PE teacher and the social worker, both 24, noted their joint passion for helping children while declaring their love for each other
Delighted: Taking to Twitter after the segment, fans of the ITV2 show claimed their words were ‘perfect’, and that they didn’t find the speech ‘cringey’ for the first time
Next up was Samie Elishi who told Tom: When I walked into the villa I spotted you straight away. You are the kindest and most caring man. I cannot wait to continue our journey together. You wrote a poem for me and now it’s my turn…
Samie went on to show her love for tom with her prose, leaving Tom emotional.
He told her: ‘Who would have thought I’d be with a worldie from North London? Honestly you are one in a million. I’m really not used to speaking how I feel towards a girl but with you it’s feels so normal. I’m so excited about our future together…’, before Tom went on drop the L-bomb.
Samie cried before going: ‘I love you too’.
Lana told Ron, both 25, he has the ‘gift of the gab and the personality that matches mine’ before telling her beau he has been missing from her life and that they always came back together when times got hard.
‘My heart never left you. I will never forgot walking back from Casa and you were alone. It was that moment I knew you were a keeper,’ she said.
Ron told Lana: ‘You are one of a kind. You are an angel that never puts a foot wrong. You tick every box. My life is complete’.
The Essex financial advisor went on to tell Lana: ‘I love you’.
Tanya and Shaq were the last to gush about one another at the ball.
Tanya, 22, said: ‘When I first saw you, you left me speechless. Nearly losing you made me realise I love you more. I can spend all day pouring my heart out. I want you to know whatever battles we face outside, we will get through together. I love you boyfriend.’
Shaq then went on tell his girlfriend she ‘instantly blew him away’.
‘Everyday I’m with you I feel like the luckiest guy in the world and I feel truly grateful. Making you happy has always been my goal and for as long as I can I will do everything in my power to make you so.’
He later told Maya round the firepit: ‘We’ve had a lot of ups and downs’.
It comes after Maya accidentally revealed Will Young and Jessie Wynter would be getting dumped from the Love Island’s semi-final – before the official announcement.
In an advert for the Aftersun spin-off show, aired just minutes ahead of the verdict, the presenter let slip that the couple had been sent home in a giant gaffe.
She said in the teaser: ‘Join me tonight in South Africa live from the villa. Dumped Islanders Will and Jessie and Casey and Rosie will be sharing the goss.’
The TikTok farmer, 23, and his girlfriend, 26, were seen waving towards the camera alongside previous evictees Casey O’Gorman, 26, and Rosie Seabrook, 24.
In a now-deleted Instagram Story, she had also exposed the big news ahead of time.
In a selfie-style video, Will and Jessie could be seen in the background but Maya was quick to remove all traces of the post, which is no longer on her profile.
All dressed up: Sanam looked gorgeous in a strapless green grown which a thigh-high slit and corset detailing on the bust, while Lana showed off her tanned figure in a glittery minidress
Stunning: Tanya exuded confidence as she struck a pose in a satin white minidress with train
Stunning: Samie brought the glamour in a strapless black gown with criss cross detailing on the leg
Here come the girls: The girls put on a united display as they all posed together for the final
Pals: The boys beamed as they posed under the huge love heart after toasting their time in the villa together
LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Name: Tanya Manhenga
Age: 22
Location: Liverpool
Occupation: Student and model
Something not many people know about her: ‘I have Vitiligo, which is a skin pigmentation, you may not even notice it.’
‘It’s on my lip and I have a stripe on my hair. Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute.’
‘I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe.’
Name: Lana Jenkins
Age: 25
Location: Luton
Occupation: Makeup artist
Something not many people know about her: ‘In my work as a makeup artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities.
‘Also, when I was 6-years-old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.’
Name: Tom Clare
Age: 23
Location: Barnsley
Occupation: Semi-Pro Footballer
Something not many people know about him: I’m a High School Musical fan
Name: Samie Elishi
Age: 22
Location: London
Occupation: Senior Estate Agent Coordinator
Something not many people know about her: ‘I’m a really honest person and I have no filter. I won’t take rubbish from anyone, especially when it comes to guys!’
Name: Kai Fagan
Age: 24
Location: Manchester
Occupation: Science and PE teacher
Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a Jamaican citizen. Because of that I played rugby 7s for Jamaica.’
‘I play semi-professional rugby now for Burnage RFC.’
‘I’ve technically got three different degrees and went to three different unis.’
Name: Ron Hall
Age: 25
Location: Essex
Occupation: Financial advisor
Something not many people know about him: ‘On meeting me, you’d never know I am blind in one eye.’
‘It was the result of a football injury when I was 8. I’ve got two different coloured eyes, one blue and one green.’
Name: Shaq Muhammad
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: Airport security officer
Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse.’
‘Every time I watch Dear John I cry.
That’s my favourite film. Any time I’m with someone and they say, ‘Let’s watch a romantic film’, I’m like, ‘How about Dear John, how does that sound?’
Name: Sanam Harrinanan
Age: 24
Location: Bedford
Occupation: Social Worker
Who did she have her eye on in Casa Amor? ‘Kai is my number one. Job wise I think that we’d connect a lot and I think he’s cute!’
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