Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan were crowned winners of Winter Love Island 2023 on Monday night – beating original couple Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins for the £50,000 cash prize.
After eight weeks of drama, viewers voted the social worker and gym teacher, who fell in love in Casa Amor, as their champion.
The pair, both 24, were speechless as host Maya Jama announced the results during the live final in South Africa.
Ahead of her win, Sanam accidentally revealed that she’s in love with Kai while telling viewers to “watch this space” to make the beauty his girlfriend in the outside world.
Tom Clare and Samie Elishi took third place in the competition, while airport security officer Shaq Muhammad, 24, and Tanya Manhenga, 22, were first.
Winner! Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan have been crowned winners of Love Island 2023 – beating original couple Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins for the £50,000 cash prize
Stronger together: Ron and Lana, who were a couple from the start but had a rocky road during their stint at the Villa, just missed out on second overall
Gorgeous: Maya Jama looked incredible in a racy lilac dress with cut outs as she hosted the show live from the South African villa
After her win, Sanam told Maya, 28, “I can’t believe it,” while Kai was left speechless.
She said: “For me it was always Kai, like I always said, he was my number one. Obviously he’s a very attractive guy, but I fell in love with everything. Everything about him, I just loved it. I really didn’t think I would be here. I will cry.’
Like every romance on the show, Kai and Sanam have had a rough road – after Olivia, the gym teacher’s former love, left furious when his head was turned in Casa Amor – as did theirs.
But Kai’s decision to pair up with Sanam again has proven worthy as they have stayed strong ever since.
In her interview, the PE teacher noted that his journey on the show has been a “roller coaster” but he’s looking forward to taking Sanam away from the glamor of the South African villa.
“It was a roller coaster ride! But she literally blew me away. I think it’s the eyes. I always told her that it was the first conversation we had, she closed her eyes. But she doesn’t anymore! After the first we got closer and closer.
“She never leaves my side and I absolutely love her. It’s amazing in here and you have so many people working around you arranging the most amazing dates ever but I can’t wait to put my time and effort into her and show her how amazing she is. Outwardly she will be my friend, but I want that control. I will make it so special and I have told her so many times that on the outside she will be my friend. So keep an eye out.’
Champions: The social worker and gym teacher who fell in love during the Casa Amor trip were the bookmakers’ favorites to win the 2023 winter series
Love Island Finals: The Love Island finalists gathered to see who would be crowned the winners after eight long weeks of drama and fun in the sun
Dressed to impress: Tom Clare and Samie Elishi were all glamorous for the grand final, taking third place
Out: Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Muhammad became the first couple to be kicked out of the villa at Monday’s live final in South Africa
Love at first sight: Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins made it to the finals after meeting on day one
Presenter: Maya appeared in her element presenting the show from the villa
Before Maya announced the first couple to miss out on winning the show, footage from the last day at the villa was broadcast.
The girls enjoy one last boys free trip ahead of the Love Island ball – where many L-bombs were first dropped in emotional speeches.
After receiving a text message, the girls were asked to get ready to leave the mansion. You will be pampered with some poolside spa treatments.
“We’re leaving behind a much better version of ourselves,” Samie mused.
Sanam added, “I feel like a different version of me.”
The men, all in suits and boots, were stunned as each of their partners walked out in an array of glamorous dresses.
But first, Tom told the group: “Well guys, we’ve had a great trip. Love you all to the smallest detail, cheers to an amazing journey,” as the group toasted their time at the villa with champagne.
Sanam was the first to announce the declarations of love.
The social worker said to her physical education teacher friend Kai: “You enchanted with your smile, you always managed to make me laugh. You made me feel like a princess and the only girl in the world. I can’t wait for you to come over to my house and my mom to cook you Caribbean food. You showed me my worth.’
To which he replied: “When I came to the villa. I struggled to find love. Then I found you at Casa. The most caring, beautiful girl I have ever met. Every conversation we have brings me closer to you. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as compatible as you. My time in here was literally a dream with you. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
Kai went on to praise their similarities as well as their passion for working with children to make a difference in the world.
Fans of the ITV2 show took to Twitter after the segment, claiming her words were “perfect” and not for the first time that they found the speech “cringey”.
One wrote: “Sanam and Kai’s speech was so perfect #loveisland,” and another added: “Kai’s speech to Sanam was precious #Loveisland.”
Others wrote, “First time I really liked a graduation speech, kai and sanam #loveisland” and “Sanam & Kai’s speech was sooo cuuuuute #loveisland”.
A fifth chimed in with: “Kai and Sanam’s speeches don’t make me flinch and that’s saying enough… the only real couple #loveisland.”
More wrote, “First time I really liked a graduation speech by Kai and Sanam #LoveIsland,” and “I don’t need to hear other speeches, still not about Kai and Sanam #LoveIsland speech.”
Another concluded: “You know Kai likes Sanam because he uses so many descriptive words. This speech was as if no one else was present, bless them. #loveisland.’
Sweet: Viewers of Emotional Love Island praised Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan for their heartfelt speeches during Monday’s final episode
Loved: The gym teacher and social worker, both 24, noted their shared passion for helping children while declaring their love for one another
Delighted: Fans of the ITV2 show took to Twitter after the segment and claimed their words were ‘perfect’ and they didn’t find the speech ‘cringey’ for the first time.
Next up was Samie Elishi, who told Tom: When I entered the mansion, I saw you straight away. You are the kindest and most caring man. I can’t wait to continue our journey together. You wrote a poem for me and now it’s my turn…
Samie continued to show her love for Tom with her prose, which left Tom emotional.
He told her: “Who would have thought I was dating a North London worldly man? Honestly, you’re one in a million. I’m really not used to talking to a girl about my feelings, but you make it feel so normal. I’m so excited for our future together…” before Tom dropped the L-bomb.
Samie cried before leaving: “I love you too”.
Lana told Ron, both 25, he had the “gift of the mouth and personality to match mine” before telling her boyfriend that he was missing from her life and that they always got back together when times got tough.
“My heart never left you. I’ll never forget walking back from Casa and you were alone. In that moment, I knew you were a Guardian,” she said.
Ron said to Lana, “You are one of a kind. You are an angel who never makes a mistake. You tick every box. My life is complete’.
The Essex financial adviser went on to tell Lana: “I love you”.
Tanya and Shaq were the last to swarm over each other at the ball.
Tanya, 22, said: “When I first saw you you left me speechless. Almost losing you made me realize that I love you more. I can spend all day pouring my heart out. I want you to know, whatever battles we have out there, we’re going to get through this together. I love you friend.’
Shaq then went on to tell his girlfriend that she “blew him away right away.”
“Every day that I’m with you I feel like the luckiest guy in the world and I’m really grateful. It has always been my goal to make you happy and for as long as I can I will do everything in my power to make you happy.’
He later told Maya around the fire pit, “We’ve had a lot of ups and downs.”
It comes after Maya accidentally revealed Will Young and Jessie Wynter would be kicked out of the Love Island semifinals – ahead of the official announcement.
In a commercial for the Aftersun spin-off show that aired just minutes before the verdict, the host hinted that the couple had been sent home in a huge faux pas.
She said in the teaser: “Join me live from the villa tonight in South Africa. Dumped Islanders Will and Jessie and Casey and Rosie will share the gossip.’
The 23-year-old TikTok farmer and his girlfriend, 26, waved at the camera along with former displaced persons Casey O’Gorman, 26, and Rosie Seabrook, 24.
In an Instagram story that has since been deleted, she had already exposed the big news in advance.
In a selfie-style video, Will and Jessie could be seen in the background, but Maya quickly removed all traces of the post, which is no longer on her profile.
All dressed up: Sanam looked gorgeous in a strapless green dress with a thigh-high slit and a corset at the bust, while Lana showed off her tanned figure in a glittery mini dress
Stunning: Tanya exuded confidence as she posed in a satin white mini dress with a train
Stunning: Samie brought the glamor to life in a strapless black dress with crossover detailing on the leg
Here Come the Girls: The girls looked united as they all posed together for the finals
Dude: The boys beamed as they posed beneath the giant love heart after toasting their time together at the villa
LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS
Name: Tanya Manhenga
Age: 22
Location: Liverpool
Profession: student and model
Something not many people know about her: “I have vitiligo, which is skin pigmentation that you might not even notice.”
“It’s on my lip and I have a streak in my hair. Not many people know that, but I think it’s pretty cute.”
“I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a mood.”
Name: Lana Jenkins
Age: 25
Location: Luton
Profession: makeup artist
What not many people know about her: “I have worked with many celebrities in my work as a make-up artist.
“When I was 6 years old I lived in Spain and was an extra in an episode of Benidorm.”
Name: Tom Klara
Age: 23
Location: Barnsley
Profession: Semi-professional soccer player
What not many people know about him: I’m a fan of High School Musical
Name: Samie Elishi
Age: 22
Location: London
Profession: Senior coordinator for real estate agents
What not many people know about her: “I’m a really honest person and I don’t have a filter. I won’t take trash from anyone, especially when it comes to boys!’
Name: Kai Fagan
Age: 24
Location: Manchester
Profession: Science and physical education teacher
What not many know about him: “I am a Jamaican citizen. That’s why I played rugby 7s for Jamaica.
“I now play semi-professional rugby for Burnage RFC.”
“Technically, I have three different degrees and went to three different universities.”
Name: Ron Hall
Age: 25
Location: Essex
Profession: financial advisor
Something not many people know about him: “If you met me, you would never know that I am blind in one eye.”
“It was the result of a soccer injury when I was 8 years old. I have two different colored eyes, one blue and one green.”
Name: Shaq Muhammad
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: airport security officer
What not many people know about him: “I’m a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse.’
“Every time I see Dear John, I cry.
This is my favorite movie. Every time I’m with someone and they say, “Let’s watch a romantic movie,” I say, “How about Dear John, how does that sound?”
Name: Sanam Harrinanan
Age: 24
Location: Bedford
Occupation: social worker
Who did she have her eye on at Casa Amor? “Kai is my number one. Job wise I think we would socialize a lot and I think it’s cute!