Manchester PE and science teacher Kai Fagan and social worker Sanam Harrinanan, from Bedford, were crowned the winners of winter Love Island 2023 in an emotional final on Monday night (March 13). Love bloomed late in the process for the fan favourites after Sanam stole Kai's heart in the usually dreaded Casa Amor stage of the the ITV2 dating show.
They faced the wrath of Kai's ex in the TV villa Olivia Hawkins as Kai decided to recouple. But they remained strong ever since Kai's head was turned.
Kai, whose famous cousin Dean Fagan starred in Coronation Street as Luke Britton, and Sanam scooped the £50,000 prize. In second place was Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall, Tom Clare and Samie Elishi placed third during the live final in South Africa and Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga came in fourth place.
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New Love Island host Maya Jama, who took over the role from Laura Whitmore, interviewed the finalists before announcing the winners. There was a heart-warming moment during their couple's chat as Sanam accidentally slipped up and said the 'L' word about Kai.
"Obviously he's an attractive guy," she said. And she continued: "Apart from the looks, I fell in love." As she realised what she had just said Sanam's eyes widened and she clapped her hand to her mouth as Kai pulled her in for a hug.
"What was that?" giggled Maya. And a tearful Sanam said as she continued praising her man: "You're going to make me cry." Viewers watching at home were thrilled including @2wenty4s who shouted on Twitter: "SHE FELL IN LOVE????? Y’ALL."
@santanasluvr remarked: "Sanam accidentally admitting she’s in love with kai OH IM CRHINGFHEHWJWNINO I LOVE THEM." @Margjacquieline gasped: "LOOOOOOOOL NOT SANAM TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THAT SLIP UP BLESS HER." And @TheNatAttack97 exclaimed: "Sanam dropping the l word in public omg."
Many fans said 'you can tell' that Maya was also rooting for the pair. @sauvagesyd7 observed: "You can tell Maya is one of us and she absolutely adores Kai and Sanam."
@beingremz_ tweeted: "You can tell Maya is low-key rooting for Sanam and Kai to win." @easstenders said: "No like honestly even with maya you can tell she finds everyone else boring compared to kai and sanam from her interviewing style."
@mabel_fakorede wrote: "You can tell maya loves them the most i’m creasing." @mlawelshgirl echoed: "Can tell Maya is big fans of Kai and Sanam." And @thelordbaeIish said: "You can tell these two are Maya’s fave." The host told the pair after announcing their win: "Everybody's fallen in love with you. You were meant to be together."
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