logo
Love Island's Sammy Root breaks silence on Elma split as he admits hope

Love Island's Sammy Root breaks silence on Elma split as he admits hope

Daily Mirror07-07-2025
EXCLUSIVE: Love Island star Sammy Root has opened up about heartbreak and staying true to himself in his first interview since the end of his relationship with Elma Pazar
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.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Love Island star Harry makes very honest confession to Shakira as they chat after explosive Grafties and Helena split
Love Island star Harry makes very honest confession to Shakira as they chat after explosive Grafties and Helena split

Scottish Sun

time32 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Love Island star Harry makes very honest confession to Shakira as they chat after explosive Grafties and Helena split

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island star Harry Cooksley makes a very honest confession to Shakira Khan as they chat after the explosive Grafties and his split from Helena Ford. This year's edition of the ITV2 dating show has seen the three Islanders involved in a dramatic love triangle. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Love Island star Harry Cooksley makes a very honest confession to Shakira Khan Credit: ITV 5 They chat after the explosive Grafties Credit: ITV In tonight's episode, after choosing to sleep outside, Harry returns to the villa and sits down with Shakira to discuss where they stand. He tells her: 'I have really tried with her [Helena], but we [Shakira and I] 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 responds: '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. And it's a pattern.' Harry then makes his intentions clear, saying: 'Look, I'm either leaving here alone or with you.' Elsewhere, Helena remains confused by Harry's sudden shift and pulls Shakira for a chat. Shakira explains: 'Nothing's changed. There's been no miracle… I was saying I've not let myself heal over the situation and then he was like, 'Same'. I was like, 'What?' "He said, 'I've not processed how I felt towards you, I've hopped into something with Helena.' I don't understand it.' Helena replies: 'No, I don't understand it.' Love Island star demands co-star be sent home after shock comments are exposed in emotionally-charged Grafties She then pulls Harry for a separate conversation in the den, asking: 'Have you felt this way about Shakira this whole time?' Harry admits: 'I didn't, I just buried it all. I just didn't address any of my feelings and we were flying…' Helena responds emotionally: 'I thought I had something genuine in here.' Later, Shakira questions Harry's sudden change in behaviour, telling him: 'Like, how you're feeling now is not making sense from what I've seen for the past however many weeks.' When she asks, 'What are we doing?', Harry simply replies: 'I don't know.' 5 Helena ended things with Harry after the Grafties Credit: ITV 5 Fans have begged that Shakira bags a spot in the final Credit: ITV 5 A recoupling will see the boys choose the girls Credit: ITV 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. 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."

Love Island star Harry makes very honest confession to Shakira as they chat after explosive Grafties and Helena split
Love Island star Harry makes very honest confession to Shakira as they chat after explosive Grafties and Helena split

The Sun

time32 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Love Island star Harry makes very honest confession to Shakira as they chat after explosive Grafties and Helena split

LOVE Island star Harry Cooksley makes a very honest confession to Shakira Khan as they chat after the explosive Grafties and his split from Helena Ford. This year's edition of the ITV2 dating show has seen the three Islanders involved in a dramatic love triangle. 5 In tonight's episode, after choosing to sleep outside, Harry returns to the villa and sits down with Shakira to discuss where they stand. He tells her: 'I have really tried with her [Helena], but we [Shakira and I] 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 responds: '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. And it's a pattern.' Harry then makes his intentions clear, saying: 'Look, I'm either leaving here alone or with you.' Elsewhere, Helena remains confused by Harry's sudden shift and pulls Shakira for a chat. Shakira explains: 'Nothing's changed. There's been no miracle… I was saying I've not let myself heal over the situation and then he was like, 'Same'. I was like, 'What?' "He said, 'I've not processed how I felt towards you, I've hopped into something with Helena.' I don't understand it.' Helena replies: 'No, I don't understand it.' Love Island star demands co-star be sent home after shock comments are exposed in emotionally-charged Grafties She then pulls Harry for a separate conversation in the den, asking: 'Have you felt this way about Shakira this whole time?' Harry admits: 'I didn't, I just buried it all. I just didn't address any of my feelings and we were flying…' Helena responds emotionally: 'I thought I had something genuine in here.' Later, Shakira questions Harry's sudden change in behaviour, telling him: 'Like, how you're feeling now is not making sense from what I've seen for the past however many weeks.' When she asks, 'What are we doing?', Harry simply replies: 'I don't know.' 5 5 5 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. 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." Love Island 2025 full lineup Harry Cooksley: A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. Megan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition. Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart. Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. Ben Holbrough: A model ready to make waves. Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. Aaron Buckett: A towering 6'5' personal trainer. Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. Antonia Laites: Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. Yasmin Pettet: The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. Emily Moran: Bombshell Welsh brunette from the same town as Love Island 2024 alumni Nicole Samuel. Harrison Solomon: Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Giorgio Russo: The 30-year-old will be spending his summer in the sun, potentially his sister Alessia's successful tournament at the Euros in Switzerland. Yaz Broom: Professional DJ from Manchester who appeared on X Factor 2016 in girl group Four of Diamonds. Andrada Pop: Miss Bikini Ireland 2019 winner who hails from Dublin and works as a nail technician and personal trainer. Emma Munro: Harry Cooksley's ex who entered as a bombshell and works as a hydrogeologist. Departures: Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. Malisha Jordan: A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Shea Mannings: Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. Caprice Alexandra: The 26-year-old bombshell owns a nursery in Romford. Poppy Harrison: The bombshell broke up with her boyfriend after finding out she would be in the villa Will Means: The fourth fittest farmer in the UK according to Farmers' Weekly in 2023 entered the villa as a bombshell Megan Clarke: An Irish actress part of the OG line-up. Remell Mullins: Boasts over 18million likes and 500k followers on TikTok thanks to his sizzling body transformation videos. Alima Gagigo: 23-year-old personal banker from Glasgow who fancies herself as a 'good flirt'.

Love Island viewers plead ‘get her to the final no matter what' as they back Islander after explosive love triangle
Love Island viewers plead ‘get her to the final no matter what' as they back Islander after explosive love triangle

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Love Island viewers plead ‘get her to the final no matter what' as they back Islander after explosive love triangle

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

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store