She was left in tears after he admitted to fancying Megan Barton Hanson, during the early stages of their romance.
However, Love Island’s Frankie Foster has now claimed his crush on the glamour model was ‘over-hyped’ on the show, to cause more drama between him and Samira Mighty.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the fitness coach, 22, revealed his comment about Megan was ‘made into more of an issue than it was’ – as he and Samira had shared a bed from the very first night – and fiercely slammed claims his feelings for the West End star are fake.
Stirring the pot: Love Island’s Frankie Foster has claimed his crush on the glamour model was ‘over-hyped’ on the show, to cause more drama between him and Samira Mighty
Not a big deal: The 22-year-old revealed his comment about Megan (above) was ‘made into more of an issue than it was’ – as he and Samira shared a bed from the first night
Samira and Frankie are now officially boyfriend and girlfriend, after the hunk declared his feelings for her on Sunday’s episode of spin-off, After Sun.
Yet, viewers were left heartbroken last month when Samira broke down in the villa, after discovering Frankie – who was the first boy she fancied – had a crush on Megan, who she believed to be more ‘beautiful’ than her.
However, Frankie has now claimed to MailOnline that his comment was blown way out of proportion – and speculated whether producers were trying to convey Megan as the most desirable in the villa.
Devastating: Viewers were left heartbroken last month when Samira broke down in the villa, after discovering Frankie had a crush on Megan, who she believed to be more ‘beautiful’
‘It got over-hyped’: Frankie has now claimed his comment was blown out of proportion – and speculated whether producers were trying to convey Megan as the most desirable
He said of the incident: ‘I think it got over-hyped. The whole Megan thing was made into much more of a thing than it was.
‘I don’t know whether its because they wanted to show 6 new boys coming in and all fancying Megan or whatever, but that was literally on the first day when you make a guess, without really knowing anyone.’
Affirming Samira was the one he connected with from the outset, he went on: ‘The whole time I was in there Sam and I shared a bed, and after day 2 or 3 we’d already said we were going to couple up with each other.
Close: Affirming Samira was the one he connected with, he added: ‘The whole time I was there Sam and I shared a bed, and after day 2 or 3 we’d already said we were going to couple up’
‘I haven’t watched it back so I don’t know what was shown, but it really wasn’t an issue. We got on pretty much straight away from the first night.’
His comments come amid accusations the ITV2 series is fixed – with co-star Savanna Darnell revealing many of the steamy scenes from Casa Amor were cut, as well as several nights spent in the Hideaway.
Frankie and Samira’s own date night in the private bedroom was axed from the show, which the hunk admitted was ‘annoying’, as it led people to believe their romance was not real.
He said: ‘I don’t think its fixed – they’ve got 24 hours to cut into an hour, and they’re going to show the drama as they’ve got to make it exciting.
Rumours: Due to their ‘lack of air-time’, Frankie’s feelings for Samira have been questioned by viewers – with one source even claiming he had told friends he was not into her at all
‘It’s frustrating’: However, the Cheltenham native (pictured on Tuesday) was quick to blast rumours of a ‘showmance’, and simply challenged viewers to watch their relationship progress
‘Samira and I literally got on with everyone in the villa, so although we had a great time together there’s probably something more interesting than us just talking on the day bed. It’s a bit annoying, but I understand it.’
Due to their alleged lack of air-time, Frankie’s feelings for Samira have since been questioned by viewers – with one source even claiming he had told friends he was not into the brunette beauty at all.
However, the Cheltenham native was quick to blast rumours of a ‘showmance’, and simply challenged viewers to watch their relationship progress.
He said: ‘It’s frustrating, but it’s only a matter of time, as it’s all very fresh and people have got opinions.
Keeping faith: He said of his romance with Samira: ‘Just say wait and see! When I’m still with Sam in however many months time, people will just say yeah, OK, good work’
Standing by her man: The pair fell for each other in the villa, but Samira was left heartbroken when Frankie was eliminated (above) – leading her to quit the show for him two days later
‘But I just say wait and see! When I’m still with Sam in however many months time, people will just say yeah, OK, good work.
‘We’ve spent three solid weeks together, and we’re so comfortable with each other. We feel like a couple who’ve been together for 3 months not 3 weeks! So it doesn’t really matter what other people think to us. As long as we’re enjoying it.’
The pair fell for each other when Frankie arrived late into the Mallorcan mansion, while the original boys were sent to the neighboring Casa Amor.
However, the business student was eliminated soon afterwards – causing Samira to quit the show two days later, in order to pursue their romance.
Official: Frankie went on to ask Samira to be his girlfriend on Aftersun (above), and has since gushed that they feel like they’ve been together for ‘three months not three weeks’
Having made their romance official since her return to the UK, Frankie gushed that things between them were only going from strength to strength.
He said: ‘We’ve been together every day since she came out, and it’s been even better than it was in the villa, on the outside.’
Yet, he is certain in his view that Samira should not have left with him, as he wanted her to enjoy her remaining time on the show.
He said of his dumping: ‘It’s a massive show, its great fun in there, and it would only have been 3 weeks til I would have seen her. So with me leaving, I was just like look, stick it out, I’ll see you when you get out.
‘It’s great fun in there’: Yet, he is certain in his view that Samira should not have left with him, as he wanted her to enjoy her remaining time on the show
‘But I do get why she left. If you’re not going to couple up with anyone else then the show is kind of pointless to you.’
Giving his take on the remaining islanders, Frankie predicted that fan favourites Jack and Dani will reign victorious, and that controversial couple Megan and Wes will last outside the villa.
The model has faced huge amounts of backlash from fans, for seemingly ‘hopping’ between partners to stay safe in the competition.
However Frankie confirmed her feelings for Wes were genuine, stating: ‘I actually back them a lot! I think viewers will always their own opinion.
‘But the people in there – who are with these guys 24 hours a day – understood Meg’s decision to get back with Wes, as it it was clear they liked each other, and would have been stupid for her not to.
In the bag: Giving his take on the remaining islanders, Frankie predicted that fan favourites Jack and Dani will reign victorious – who have already been tipped for their own reality show
‘I back them!’: He also claimed controversial couple Megan and Wes will last outside the villa, after the model was accused of ‘jumping’ between partners to stay safe in the competition
‘She was actually a bit worried about it, she didn’t want to seem like she’s just jumped ship to make herself safe.’
He also admitted it had been obvious in the villa that Laura and Jack were not compatible as a couple, following their break-up on Tuesday night’s show.
He continued: ‘They’ve got respect for each other, but it was always a bit of a weird couple. They do get on, but they just don’t seem to fit… and I don’t really know why. You just can’t see them as a couple.’
Frankie is now planning to simply ride the wave of fame he and Samira have faced since leaving Love Island – which has scored ITV2’s highest ever viewing figures this year.
He said: ‘I wouldn’t say no to doing more TV. There’s rumours Jack and Dani might be doing more TV, so for us two to do that would be a laugh.
‘But it’s all been really positive so far and really good fun. I’ve pretty much been non-stop since I’ve got out, but I’m loving it at the moment.’
‘It’s really good fun’: Frankie is now planning to simply ride the wave of fame he and Samira have faced since leaving Love Island (pictured with a crowd of fans)