Love Island favourite Ron Hall may go from chilled to grilled tomorrow night when his girlfriend’s mum arrives.
Laid-back Ron, 25, will be quizzed about his rollercoaster relationship with make-up artist Lana Jenkins.
It comes in a first for the reality show as contestants’ family members, including Lana’s mum Rachel, head to the South African villa.
And Rachel, 50, a script supervisor on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, will use the chance to put the frighteners on Ron.
She said: “I’m going to tell him to look after my daughter. Every mum wants their daughter to be treated like a princess. If Ron adores her like her family does, then that’s good for me.”
Financial adviser Ron, from Essex, and Lana, 25, have gone from strength to strength and have a solid relationship, despite a rocky start.
Ron, who is blind in one eye due to a childhood football injury, was criticised for his treatment of Lana when she decided to recouple with Casey O’Gorman, 26. She was fed-up with Ron’s head being turned by new arrivals.
Rachel, from Northwich, Cheshire, has seen Lana struggling in the villa and even reduced to tears numerous times.
She said: “I just want to give her a hug, I have been wanting to do it for eight weeks. We have had quite a few crying sessions at home. She always comes out of it a little bit stronger. To progress in life we have to have those moments when we need to cry.”
But there have also been plenty of laughs in the villa, such as when Lana and Tom Clare shared tips during the baby challenge.
Rachel holds no hard feelings towards Ron and looks forward to welcoming him into the family, saying: “He’s really redeemed himself. He’s been sweet and lovely.
“I’m hoping we can celebrate a new love. When I first saw him I thought, ‘He’s a good looking lad, he’s got loads of chat, but uh-uh’, if you know what I mean? But he’s proved himself.”
One of the five remaining couples will leave tomorrow but Ron and Lana are the bookies’ third favourites to win the £50k prize on Monday.
And Rachel has defended them against claims that they are dull, saying: “If people think being chilled, peaceful and kind is boring, that’s up to them.
“It’s so lovely to see them together. They’re so sweet.
“They’re taking their time with their relationship. They’re not forcing anything. “It’s natural and organic. It’s beautiful.”
Love Island is on tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV2.
