Love Island's Sammy Root breaks silence on Elma split as he admits hope
Sammy Root has finally spoken out about love, loss, and life after Love Island, marking the first time he's addressed his recent split from Elma Pazar. The 23-year-old Love Island winner got real about heartbreak and staying true to himself despite the ups and downs of fame and romance, just weeks after his split.
Sammy, who rose to fame after winning Love Island 2023 alongside Jess Harding, appeared on Love Island: All Stars earlier this year, where he was re-coupled with Elma. The pair looked smitten in the villa, sparking hope among fans that Sammy had finally found lasting love.
But just months after the show wrapped, the duo called it quits — with neither party speaking publicly about what went wrong. Until now.
The "raw and emotional" scenes are said to have been filmed for the latest series of The Only Way Is Essex and are set to air later in the year. In the footage, that will air on ITV2 and ITVX, it's claimed viewers will see the split isn't "straightforward".
While Sammy didn't name names, his reflections on love hint at a deeper emotional truth. When asked whether Love Island has changed his perception of love, the reality star said: 'I will always enter every situation with the same mindset. I was brought up very old-fashioned by my parents. Like, you treat a woman like a princess, and I'll always do that. I'll always be the same me. And listen, sometimes it's gonna work out, sometimes it's not.'
Despite two stints on Love Island, a public breakup, and the pressures of fame, he remains hopeful: 'Hopefully one day I'll find that person.'
The cheeky Essex lad also dished on what really went down in the villa. From saucy games to iconic challenges, Sammy admitted he absolutely loved every second. 'If we got a text that we were playing a game, I'd be gassed,' he said. 'Even the heart rate challenge – the boys would be terrified, but I'd be like, 'Yeah, let's get going.''
Unlike other Islanders who dread the drama of 'Snog, Marry, Pie,' Sammy thrived on it. 'That was probably my highlight, to be honest,' he laughed. 'I love playing the games.'
Sammy first burst onto our screens during Love Island 2023, when he entered as a bombshell on day four of the series. Jess Harding the pair went on to win the series - although they split just months later.
In January 2025, Sammy returned for Love Island: All Stars, where he rekindled a spark with Elma Pazar. Though the romance fizzled post-villa, fans praised Sammy for showing more vulnerability and growth this time around.
Looking ahead, the former Islander now has his own business, The Watch Draws. While many other islanders go on to do more presenting, Sammy ventured into something that he finds 'rewarding'.
'I get to give people a chance to win life-changing prizes. I recently gave away a £25,000 watch. It's exciting for people and meaningful to me. I've done a lot of charity work, and honestly, I just love the feeling of doing something good. So I thought, how can I make a living and give back? It's fun and it's meaningful.'
And on any more TV? 'I mean, it's not even so much that I don't want to be on TV anymore. It's more just like… when I'm in my 30s or 40s, I'd want to take a step back. I'm still very young, so there's not really a show that I wouldn't do. I definitely lean toward the more active, game-type shows. So, yeah, like Strictly or SAS or something—even I'm A Celeb would be a great one. But I think I'd struggle because I'm absolutely terrified of spiders.'
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Scottish Sun
32 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
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The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
Love Island star Harry makes very honest confession to Shakira as they chat after explosive Grafties and Helena split
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Scottish Sun
an hour ago
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Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island viewers have pleaded 'get her to the final no matter what' as they back an Islander after an explosive love triangle. This year's edition of the ITV2 dating show has seen Helena Ford, Shakira Khan and Harry Cooksley involved in a dramatic love triangle. 5 Love Island viewers have pleaded 'get her to the final no matter what' as they back an Islander after an explosive love triangle Credit: ITV 5 Fans have begged that Shakira bags a spot in the final Credit: ITV 5 Harry issues Shakira with an ultimatum Credit: ITV And it came to a bitter end on Friday night after the Grafties exposed Harry's behaviour, leading Helena to split with him, and Harry to tell Conor he saw Helena as 'more of a friend.' Now, amid the chaos, some fans have speculated that Harry and Shakira could well get back together, especially with the impending recouple which will see the boys choose the girl they want to couple up with. Whether or not they reignite their romantic spark, fans have begged that Shakira bags a spot in the final 'no matter what.' On social media, one person wrote: 'I just want to see Shakira in the final she can break up with harry outside at this point, idc. My girl deserves the final.' A second penned: "Like this post if you will still vote Shakira to make the final or win even if she is coupled up with harry.' And a third said: 'HEAR ME OUT (I don't like harry) but this is the first time he's talking serious, even being serious and it could get our Shakira to the final, so…' Another person echoed: 'Whatever you choose to do, Shakira I fully support you princess. Let's get you to the final.' On Sunday night's episode, viewers will watch as Harry and Shakira get chance to chat after the explosive Grafties. Sitting together inside, Harry and Shakira debrief about how they're feeling. Love Island star demands co-star be sent home after shock comments are exposed in emotionally-charged Grafties Harry says: 'I have really tried with her [Helena], but we [Shakira and Harry] had like a week and it was, for me, the feelings were obviously way stronger and still are. I'm sorry I never like tried again. I really thought the door was just, like, slammed.' Shakira replies: 'Do you want some home truths… it's obviously the way you go about it and the steps you take in between to come to these conclusions obviously hurt people along the way. 'It's all well and good you saying 'hold my hands up guys, sorry' but you still hurt people.' Shakira adds: 'And it's a pattern.' Harry then says: 'Look, I'm either leaving here alone or with you.' On Friday night, Helena was furious as she watched clips of Harry flirting with exes Emma Munro and Shakira Khan - while they were coupled up. She branded Harry a "f*****g joke" and added: "Shakira doesn't want you, I don't wanr you." Fellow OG Islander Conor told Harry later: "Remember what you have first, with Helena. "I think it's quite rare, to be honest, what you do have with her." Harry replied: "I'll be honest mate - and I know you're probably gonna tell her this. "I think it's more friendly, for me." He added: "I just feel like, with Shakira it was way more natural in my opinion. "It was more relationship-focused, more emotional. I feel like I was way more into her." 5 A recoupling will see the boys choose the girls Credit: ITV
