Smitten Love Islanders Jordan Odofin and Zara Lackenby-Brown have hit out at the show for not setting them up.
The pair, who entered the villa days apart, feel “robbed” for not meeting on air, despite being perfect for each other on paper – and now having found romance on the outside.
Zara, 25, told the Sunday People : “They [the producers] knew Jordan was my type before I even walked in.
"I left the villa thinking my dream man doesn’t exist, and days after Jordan arrives. I understand they have storylines to follow but I deserved to find love.”
Senior HR adviser Jordan, 28, expected to couple up with Zara in South African villa only to find she had already jetted back to the UK.
He said: “Before going in I was asked for my top three and I said Zara was my number one, so naturally I was looking for her. It made my villa experience very different – I was in a friendship couple the whole time.”
The smitten duo were able to crack on thanks to Love Island ’s sister show, Aftersun.
They pursued their own recoupling after messaging each other simultaneously.
And they made their first public appearance together last week as they enjoyed a romantic meal at Aqua Kyoto in London’s Soho.
Zara said: “He was such a gentleman – he got me a taxi there and back and paid for the meal. I obviously don’t expect guys to do that but it was really nice of him.”
Asked if they would have another date, Jordan added: “Absolutely – we’re thinking mini-golf and drinks somewhere. We’re taking things one day at a time and getting to know each other.”
Zara left the ITV2 reality contest three weeks ago, after Tom Clare ended their romance and chose to partner with Ellie Spence.
Jordan went into the villa on February 1 but was voted off nine days later after failing to hit it off with any Islanders.
- Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2
