Love Island: Emma and Harry's Past Relationship Explained

Graziadaily

a day ago

Love Island 2025 is well and truly underway - and as with every year, it's certainly brought the drama. 'Meg, not Mug,' Shakira and Helena's feud, and of course, a healthy dose of your ex turning up in the villa.
Following Casa Amor, a total of 12 couples were left in the Love Island villa - including new couple Emma Munro and Conor Phillips.
Of course, Conor isn't Emma's only link to the villa. Upon her arrival, viewers discovered that Emma is actually Harry Cooksley's ex-girlfriend. Yes; the same ex-girlfriend he said he was in love with and has tattooed on him.
So far, everyone has had their eye on Harry - including OG's Shakira Khan and Helena Ford, as well as Casa girl Rheo Parnell.
As for Harry, he's had his eye on, well, everyone.
With the ex's reunited, it initially seemed they were very much bringing their bad blood to Mallorca. Emma revealed that Harry had cheated on her with another woman, before the semi-professional footballer later jibed, 'It's a long way to come to throw dirt on my name.'
However, the tide has since changed. Now, it seems Emma and Harry might be rekindling their complicated romance. After asking Harry to sniff her armpits during one recent clip (hey, whatever floats your boat), Emma was heard saying, 'I don't think anyone has any gauge on how deep our relationship actually was.'
'We're so comfortable,' she added, with Harry replying, 'dangerously.'
Whether these two rekindle their clearly complex romance, only time will tell - but in the meantime, here's everything to know about Harry and Emma's relationship timeline.
If there's one thing we do know, it's that hydrogeologist Emma and semi-pro footballer Harry, both 30, dated for around three to four years. In a since deleted post, Emma shared a selfie of her and Harry cosying up in matching 'H' and 'E' baseball caps. They met in 2021 and things were serious. They met the family, lived together and Harry seemingly got 'E' tattooed on his wrist for Emma. Emma's sister commented 'Cool guy' on a picture of Harry holidaying in Egypt back in 2023. While the couple haven't removed all traces of each other on their socials, they no longer follow each other on Instagram.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, with the couple splitting in 2024. Harry explained ont he show that he'd been single for about a year, but after Emma's arrival she notably referenced a letter he sent her in January this year telling her he'd always be there for her.
Emma was quick to reveal the cause of her split with Harry during her time on Casa Amor. In conversation with her ex, she mentioned that he broke her trust by bringing girls back to their shared home after a night out. Given that Harry has been open about cheating on Emma a week into their relationship, it's no surprise the incident led the pair to breaking point.
'Harry and I had been together for four years, but unfortunately we broke up because he was misbehaving,' Emma explained, later saying to Harry 'The fact of the matter is you've brought girls into our home, and I wouldn't do that to you, because that was the rules, and you think the rules don't apply to you. It's my house, Harry. You think as soon as there's a boundary in place, cross it.'
Of course, there's nothing like Love Island to rekindle a past love. Despite their clearly messy end, Harry and Emma reunited during season 12 of Casa Amor. While they did share a kiss during Raunchy Races, the ex's didn't seem keen on rekindling anything in Casa. Emma coupled up with Conor to re-enter the villa, with Harry sticking with Helena (despite growing very close with Rheo.) During the re-coupling, Harry's treatment of Rheo was something Emma wasn't afraid to bring up - saying her ex didn't like being 'exposed' for who he really is.
Fast-forward to now, and they're having flirty chats and smelling armpits. Who said love doesn't exist?
When Emma entered, fans were initially thrilled to see someone finally putting the footballer back in his place. 'I think I'm going to like Emma, if only because of the look of disgust she makes every time Harry opens his mouth. It's about time someone humbles him,' wrote one on X (formerly Twitter). 'The producers said let's ruin this man's experience and sent in his biggest op. I fear I already have to stan,' laughed another.
Following their flirty chats, fans now have a different view. 'I need Emma to remember she's only here to make Harry look bad,' wrote one viewer, adding, 'Don't go off script, sweetie!'
'No way Emma is trying to get back with Harry after slagging him off the whole time for being a bad boyfriend,' added another.
It's some lore we're more than invested in - and with a few more weeks of villa action left, there could be plenty more of Emma and Harry to see.
Charlotte Roberts is a news and entertainment writer at Grazia UK. She spends her days covering everything celebrity, culture, and entertainment.