After two months of coupling up, bombshells, and head-turning, the winter series of Love Island came to an end on Monday night (March 13). And fans of the ITV2 dating show were delighted to see Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan crowned as the winners of the ninth series, but only the second-ever winter run.
The pair beat fellow couples Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall, who landed up in second place, and Samie Elishi and Tom Clare, who finished in third position, during the final episode which saw host Maya Jama return to the South African villa. Tanya Mahenga and Shaq Muhammad placed fourth following a public vote.
The last episode of the series saw the four remaining girls leave the villa for a luxurious spa day, before returning to share declarations of love with their partners. Decked out in tuxedos and elegant dresses, the contestants each gathered by the pool before standing to read to each other in front of a heart-shaped arch.
READ MORE: Love Island's Kai and Sanam crowned winners after accidental 'slip-up' as fans say 'you can tell'
Earlier in the episode, the islander congratulated each other on reaching the final, with Tom saying: "Guys, we’ve had an amazing run, an amazing journey, we are all here in the final. I love you guys to bits. Cheers to Love Island 2023 and our future together."
Following the declarations, the four couples enjoyed a final dance together at the Love Island Ball, using moves learned earlier in the day during a special dance class. The final also recapped previous scandalous moments from the series, remembering past bombshells and relationship strains.
But viewers were eagerly waiting for the results and as well as landing the Winter Love Island 2023 winners title, Kai and Sanam will share a £50,000 prize between themselves. Meanwhile, fans have also pointed out a 'fun fact' about Kai and Sanam's win in a show first.
@moeezarts said: "FunFact: Sanam is the first Casa Amor girl to win Love Island." @ambersw1fe echoed: "The first casa girl to win li." @mxyx66 tweeted: "FIRST CASA GIRL TO WIN LOVE ISLAND WE LOVE TO SEE IT #LoveIsland." @AmyDonohoe1 posted: "As far as I’m aware, Sanam is the first Casa Amor bombshell to ever win #loveisland What a queen."
@trulyhowqrd noted: "Sanam makes love island history as the first casa amor contestant to win the show #LoveIsland." @Krystalizedt shared: "First Casa girl to win, Sanam is a national treasure #loveisland #LoveIslandUK." @McKenzie_JP added: "Kai and Sanam are literally iconic. First POC couple to win and first casa contestant to win. Humble, history making legends! #loveisland."
Others, however, think they know why Kai specifically won the show after he found himself in some drama earlier in the series with former interest Olivia Hawkins. @SuperMoneyy tweeted: "I could name a few reasons why Kai deserves to win, but the main one was not apologising to Olivia."
@mani_george95 wrote: "Do you remember when Olivia said that Kai is been 3 times on bottom too." @lenz.tb said: "Olivia watching this rn after she claimed it was Kai that kept putting them in the bottom 3." @ChloeMosyakov added: "The best thing about this is when Olivia said “maybe thats why hes been in the bottom 3 times” n then him & Sanam won it#loveisland."
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