Love Island fans shocked over 'pathetic' budget in-villa final dates as they question whether islanders 'deserve' lavish experiences after 'loveless' season
Previous seasons of the ITV2 dating show saw contestants whisked off to idyllic locations outside of the villa, with lavish experiences including champagne-filled yacht rides and romantic candlelit castle courtyards strewn with rose petals.
However, this year, the budget seems to have been cut, with host Iain Sterling remarking that the couples were 'staying home' and revealing that it was down to the boys to prepare the dates in and around the Mallorca villa.
The episode saw the boys head to the local market to purchase gifts for the girls before heading back to whip up a meal for their partners.
But while the girls seemed impressed with bowls of pasta in the garden and a breakfast bar adorned with cushions and candles, viewers at home were far from enamoured.
Taking to X, fans were quick to air their views, with some even suggesting the islanders don't 'deserve' fancy dates due to the 'loveless' season.
This year, the budget seems to have been cut, with host Iain Sterling remarking that the couples were 'staying home' and revealing that it was down to the boys to prepare the dates
They penned: 'What even are these final dates tho defo on extreme cut backs this year'
'So the real budget went to Tinie Tempah and Katy B?? We used to have proper final dates aaah recession everywhere.'
'Are ITV broke? The lack of challenges and this pathetic final date say it all. Bring back the yachts and nighttime castles with a piano soundtrack.'
'The final dates used to be so extravagant, but these lot don't deserve it because it has been such a loveless season'
'Does #LoveIsland need some money? Boys preparing final dates?! Back in the day you could tell the producers fave couple because they'd get the Yacht date and the least fave would get a table and chairs in the middle of a town square.'
'The way the producers think non of these people deserve expensive yacht dates and 100s of roses'
'These dates are simply pathetic? Where's the budget this year?'
And during the underwhelming dates, fan favourites Megan Moore and Conor Phillips were brutally dumped from the villa.
The episode saw the boys head to the local market to purchase gifts for the girls before heading back to whip up a meal for their partners
Taking to X, fans were quick to air their views, with some even suggesting the islanders don't 'deserve' fancy dates due to the 'loveless' season
The couple became the latest Islanders to get axed just days ahead of the final on Monday as the final days in the villa get well and truly underway.
Their exit was announced while the remaining couples were still on their final dates in a savage twist, and viewers were left stunned by the verdict.
Megan and Conor's relationship was cut short when she was dumped however the couple got a second chance when she re-entered the villa last week.
That wasn't the only surprise of the night as a teaser at the end of the episode revealed that the dumped Islanders would be returning.
Sunday night will see previous contestants reenter the villa with 'big choices' to be made by the cast.
The couple became the latest Islanders to get axed just days ahead of the final on Monday as the final days in the villa get well and truly underway
Sharing their thoughts on X after Megan and Conor were dumped, fans wrote: 'Am I the only one who wasn't expecting that Conor and Megan dumping idk ???';
'I don't even like Megan and Conor but even i can admit that they were very compatible as a couple...'; 'Erm why didn't they show Megan and Conor being dumped instead of Meg and Dejon arguing again?';
'Ngl I probs woulda voted Megan and Conor to win'; 'How is the UK so bad at voting? Conor and Megan actually liked each other and had more chemistry then 75% of those left?';
'Conor and Megan shouldn't have left'; 'Not Megan and Conor! I loved them!'; 'Meg and Conor???? Really????? Why are people stupid???????'
Dejon Noel Williams
NAME: Dejon Noel Williams
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy
CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice.
NAME: Megan Moore
AGE: 25
FROM: Southampton
OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits!
NAME: Helena Ford
AGE: 29
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract.
NAME: Shakira Khan
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they're all frogs. It's a busy love life but I've not found 'the husband', I'm looking for 'the one'. I'm looking for the ring.
NAME: Harry Cooksley
AGE: 30
FROM: Guildford
OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don't think I'd go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl.
CLAIM TO FAME? I'm the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You'll never see my face, but you'll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing.
NAME: Conor Phillips
AGE: 23
FROM: Limerick
OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don't mind a dominant woman.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn't work, but it gets them laughing. It's an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course!
NAME: Toni Laites
AGE: 24
FROM: Connecticut
OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh - I'm super outgoing. And someone that's quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together.
I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE... I've lived in three different states and I'm still single. It's time to try something new! I have some British friends and they're pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners.
NAME: Yasmin Pettet
AGE: 24
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Commercial Banking Executive
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm looking for a guy who is fit, has a nice body and who is funny with a bit of banter.
WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? A guy that's stingy
NAME: Megan Moore
AGE: 24
FROM: Dublin
OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus.
I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothé e Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a 'dad bod'. I'm 5ft1 so any height really.
CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton.
Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I've also done Panto.
NAME: Blu Chegini
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She'd fire me, but I've got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting!
Jamie
NAME: Jamie Rhodes
AGE: 26
OCCUPATION: Electric Engineer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Bubbly, cheeky, outgoing, good face card and a nice bum.
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? I'll be in amongst the drama! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, I'm gonna take it by the horns and go for it.
NAME: Ty Isherwood
AGE: 23
OCCUPATION: Site Engineer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I go off energy, if we vibe. I've typically dated brunettes, tanned, nice teeth with a nice smile.
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? A head turner! I get along with lads easily and like to make people laugh.
NAME: Cacherel 'Cach' Mercer
AGE: 24
OCCUPATION: Professional Dancer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who's emotionally intelligent, beautiful, charismatic, caring, affectionate, and I'd say an intro extrovert.
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? I think I'm gonna get into trouble, I feel like I'll be the joker of the group! I'll also be the person people come to for advice… and a bit of eye candy at the same time.
.........................................................................................................................
Angel
NAME: Angel Swift
AGE: 26
OCCUPATION: Aesthetics Practitioner and Salon Owner
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I'm ready to make memories with someone, go travelling with them and fall in love
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU'LL BE? I feel like people have been getting their heads turned very easily. I do feel like I have quite a good chance of turning someone's head.
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