Harrison Solomon Opens Up About Split from Lauren Wood, Admits He Still Loves Her

Love Island star Harrison Solomon has broken his silence on his split from girlfriend Lauren Woods after The Daily Mail revealed the pair had gone their separate ways. 

After meeting in the ITV2 villa this summer, the couple have been spending less time with each other in recent weeks and now the distance between them has taken its toll. 

Harrison has opened up about the break up for the first time as he admitted he still has ‘a lot of love’ for Lauren but it had become too hard to find time for each other. 

Speaking to The Daily Mail he revealed: ‘Life’s obviously been really full-on since leaving the villa. 

‘Obviously between work, travel, and everything going on, it just became really hard to find time to really focus on each other. I didn’t want it to get to that point. I don’t think either of us did, but we just had to have a conversation.

‘We sat down, had an open and honest conversation and have decided to part ways but there’s no bad blood at all.

‘We just drifted a bit after the show which is it’s unfortunate, but we’re still on really good terms. I’ve still got a lot of love for her and I wish her all the best as well.’

Harrison confessed his best Love Island pal Harry Cooksley has been a key pillar of support after the pair struck up a firm friendship in the villa. 

‘I’ve had conversations with him about it as well and he’s been there for me. 

‘I went in obviously I found Lauren and I found H as well at the same time, as cringe as it sounds.

‘Harry has been there for me, especially now as well as when there’s been rumours and stuff of us breaking up and I feel like Harry’s been there for me as well so I appreciate that from the boy.’

Harrison caused quite a stir during his time in the villa after his explosive love triangle with Lauren and US star Toni Laites. 

Toni went on to win the show with her now boyfriend Cach Mercer and has since relocated to London. 

Yet Harrison revealed he hasn’t spoken to her since leaving the villa, ‘I’ve not seen Tone at all since leaving the villa and not spoken to her, but obviously wish her all the best and I hope she’s happy.’

Harrison dramatically quit the villa after Lauren was dumped from the villa, and came out to a furore of backlash following his treatment of the two women. 

His actions were condemned by viewers but much to his dismay, Women’s Aid also criticised his actions by releasing a damning statement claiming his behaviour ‘reinforces a culture that excuses and trivialises violence against women and girls.’

Reflecting on his actions four months later he explained: ‘I acknowledged what was said about me when I was on the show.

‘Obviously it wasn’t nice seeing any of that stuff when I, when I first came out of the show and how it affected my family and stuff like that,

‘But like I said before in previous interviews, I’ve made mistakes but I like to think that I’ve grown from them. 

‘I feel like I’m a different person now than I was six months ago, and I feel like that’s all I can really do is grow from the situation and grow from my experience in there.’

Confirming the split, Lauren said: ‘Hi everyone, Harrison and I have decided to no longer continue our relationship but will remain friends as everything was amicable and mutual.

‘We share such amazing memories together, ones that not many can relate to. Please respect our privacy whilst we navigate going our separate ways.’

In terms of the future, Harrison shut down any rumours he could be eyeing up a place on Love Island All Stars in January. 

He said: ‘I had a great time in Love Island in the summer, I feel like right now I’m just focusing on work and improving myself and I’m just thinking I’m going to be very work driven at the moment.

‘I’ve got a lot on at the moment so  it’s not really something that I’m thinking about.

‘It’s more about the work and getting my head down and being a better person as well because I feel like I’ve grown from this situation and I just wanna continue doing so at the moment I’m not thinking about that.’