When and Ciaran Davies lifted the trophy last month, fans were convinced they were witnessing the beginning of a genuine love story.
But in a twist that has left viewers stunned, their whirlwind romance has since unravelled.
It took only three weeks for the newly crowned champions, who took home the £50,000 prize money in February, to announce they were calling it quits and were better off as friends.
Since then, a rumoured new beau has quickly taken centre-stage in Samie’s life.
Eagle-eyed fans have noticed a growing bond between the 26-year-old influencer, who first appeared on the ninth season of Love Island in 2023, and fellow alum , from season ten.
And now insiders tell me Samie’s connection with Essex-born semi-professional footballer Tyrique may have been brewing long before she ever decided to try her luck again on the All Stars version of the show.
Love Island alumni Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies, who lifted the season three All Stars trophy last month but have since called it quits
Indeed, according to a source close to the situation, the cracks between Samie and Ciaran appeared almost immediately after the show wrapped.
Samie, who is from Islington in north London, worked as a senior estate agent coordinator prior to the show while Cieran hailed from the rural town of Pencoed in South Wales – and the cultural differences became impossible to ignore. Meanwhile, Tyrique, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, was already embedded in Samie’s social circle and aligned in terms of lifestyle and outlook.
‘Samie and Ciaran came out of Love Island and ,’ the source said.
‘When they got there, Samie decided Ciaran wasn’t for her as he came from a small town. She realised their lives were too different.’
It was a stark realisation for a couple who, on screen, had appeared aligned in both ambition and affection. But thousands of miles away from the South African villa where All Stars was shot, reality quickly set in and the pace of their lives and upbringings reportedly clashed.
‘She came back from Wales, and went on a date with Tyrique,’ I’m told.
‘And the pair have been spending a lot of time together. They have even booked a trip in a few weeks’ time to see if they get on well.’
The revelation has raised eyebrows among fans, particularly given Tyrique’s very public admiration for Samie in the months leading up to her All Stars appearance.
Long before rumours of their romance surfaced, Tyrique had made no secret of his attraction.
It was a stark realisation for Sami and Ciaran who, on screen and out drinking in London shortly after the show, had appeared aligned in both ambition and affection
Samie's rumoured new beau and fellow alum from season nine and Love Island games, semi-professional footballer Tyrique Hyde
In an online clip months before Samie entered the villa, when asked hypothetically who he would most like to share a bed with, Tyrique didn’t hesitate: ‘Samie, she’s very good looking.’
Then, days before the latest All Stars season started, he admitted: ‘I rate Samie. She’s a good-looking girl. I’ve seen her in real life and I have been around her at events and she is so cool.’
In another small but telling gesture the 26-year-old went on to comment ‘Happy New Year’ under Samie’s Instagram post on January 5 alongside a heart emoji.
Even casual interactions at the beginning of this year hinted at his interest. When invited to lunch by fellow Love Islander Whitney Adebayo, his first question was reportedly: ‘Is Samie going to be there?’
For some, these moments suggest Tyrique’s feelings were not only genuine but long-standing. And for others, they add fuel to speculation that Samie may have been aware of his interest all along.
‘Tyrique made his feelings clear before she even went in the villa,’ the insider claimed. ‘Some close circles are wondering if this was her game plan all along.’
Samie was photographed on Monday night at a Baller League match with Tyrique following months of him complimenting her online
Last week Tyrique confirmed that ‘Samie is a special person in my life right now'
Still, Tyrique himself has been quick to shut down suggestions that he played any role in Samie and Ciaran’s split.
Last week he confirmed that ‘Samie is a special person in my life right now,’ and later said: ‘She supports my rights and wrongs. I just want to finish up here so that I can FaceTime her.’
