Love Island viewers were gripped on Monday night (August 1) as the 2022 series came to an end after eight weeks of rows, head turns, emotional exits and romance. Laura Whitmore hosted the final live from the Mallorcan villa where she announced the winners of the ITV2 dating show.
Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti, Gemma Owen and Luca Bish, Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, and Indiyah Polack and Dami Hope all made it to the end of their Love Island journey. But it was Ekin-Su and Davide who were named the winning couple for this year.
The Turkish actress from Essex, 27, and Italian business owner, also 27, won over viewers with their fiery but passionate relationship that spanned most of the series. They beat Gemma and Luca in the final two, while Indiyah and Dami came in third and Tasha and Andrew placed fourth.
READ MORE: ITV Love Island fans clock Luca Bish's reaction to coming runner-up with Gemma Owen
But fans said they felt 'robbed' after Laura announced a twist minutes into the last episode of the series. ITV this year scrapped the option for one of the winning couple to steal all of the prize money for themselves meaning Ekin-Su and Davide got a fair split of the £50,000 prize money.
Upon hearing they had won, Ekin-Su burst into tears while Davide gasped and said “I can’t believe it” before they embraced their fellow finalists. Millie Court, who won the 2021 series of Love Island alongside Liam Reardon, said on Instagram: "Congrats to the gorgeous couple. My absolute pleasure to virtually hand over the crown to the well deserved winners. Love Island 2022 over and out."
Liam added: "Massive congratulations to these two and all the finalists, smashed it all the way. Best feeling going. Enjoy the celebrations." It comes just a couple of weeks after last year's winners announced they had split.
But Love Island viewers were distracted as a string of celebrity fans sent messages to the Islanders, including Black Eyed Peas icon will.i.am. He said of the show: "It's been a fantastic and brilliant year," before giving a shout out to Gemma and Paige Thorne, who was dumped from the villa the day before the final.
It comes after the pair treated their fellow Islanders to a performance of hit Black Eyed Peas track, My Humps as part of this year’s talent show in the villa. Paige, 24, and Gemma, 19, wore matching 00s outfits - donning pink cargo trousers, a black top, and matching caps with the first initial of their names on.
Rapper and The Voice UK judge will.i.am added: "My favourite part is when the girls sany My Humps. That was freakin' awesome. Congratulations to everybody, and I can't wait to see who wins." And fans were soon flocking to social media to share their confusion over his appearance.
@holly_brookes08 tweeted: "No way they’ve got will.i.am #LoveIsland." @majabxrger screamed: "HOW THE F*** DID THESE PRODUCERS GET WILL.I.AM TO RECORD A VIDEO #LoveIsland." @destinyvioletx said: "Will.i.am caught me off guard #loveisland." @soyemecampuzano commented: "#LoveIsland also, super random that Will.I.Am showed up for literally no reason."
@d0lphinluvr99 wrote: "why will.i.am how did they choose these celebs wtf hahahaha #loveisland." @teais1and asked: "Will I am ??? What’s going on #LoveIsland." @AllysaRochelle added: "This montage is wild!!! Will I Am???!?!???? #LoveIsland."
But many viewers had the same response about will.i.am's viewing habits. @CBirlison said: "No way in hell Will.I.Am has watched a second of #LoveIsland." @RuthAkosua_ tweeted: "Will.i.am has never watched this show a day in his life. Let’s not #LoveIsland." @TERRYFOXETTE echoed: "Plz will i am has not watched 1 episode #LoveIsland."
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