Love Island row sparks tension as 'mean' dig leads to cringeworthy split

Irish Daily Mirror

a day ago

Tension and drama surrounded Wednesday's episode of Love Island, with one couple calling it quits just days in.
Just days into the series, Ben Holbrough's jibe about partner Toni Laites made behind her back, but inevitably shared with her, led to a cringey showdown. As a row was sparked between them, it wasn't long before they appeared to call time on their 'romance' which had not even taken off.
Toni seemed to seal the deal where a split was concerned, telling an awkward Ben "good luck" before leaving things there. With spoilers revealing she would then move on and attempt to woo other men in the villa, it's clear Toni has cut things off and left Ben single.
He didn't seem too bothered to be honest, moments after telling more than one Islanders that American bombshell Toni had "given him the ick". They had just quarrelled over a remark Toni made to the group, which Ben took offence too.
He assumed it was directed at him and meant he was going to get the boot by Toni, before he stormed off when she called him out over his bizarre reaction. It had just followed the dumping of Sophie Lee, whose partner Harry Cooksley was stolen by Shakira Khan.
After more than one girl was at risk, Toni commented that it was likely to be the boys who faced being axed next time. She said: "Boys, it's your turn, just saying - I don't think you're gonna be safe."
Weirdly, Ben thought the comment was at him and she might be suggesting he isn't safe. As he asked: "Are you saying me in particular?" a baffled Toni replied: "No it's about boys, not everything is about you."
With that Ben walked off, before telling co-star Meg: "She said, 'Not everything is about you…' I just got the ick." While Meg didn't say anything, it was Ben telling former partner Shakira about the moment that led to him being exposed.
He told Shakira he had the "ick" after what had happened, and Shakira wasted no time in letting her new pal know what he'd been saying about her. Toni was stunned and decided to confront him, asking him if he said it.
She told Ben: "I don't wanna hear from other people you said I've given you the ick." They then quarrelled over who gave who the ick, and she said he was overacting.
Ben had also suggested they weren't compatible, and he was more interested in Shakira. He also said there was "nothing there", adding he didn't appreciate what she'd said before he had the showdown with her - claiming she was "p*****g him off".
Not wanting to "fake how he feels" and saying he didn't feel it, he seemed to take the topic away from what had even been said. He told Shakira of Toni: "I'm stuck with a girl I don't want to be with."
Back to the chat with Toni, she decided it wasn't worth her time and she appeared to cool things completely. "I don't think that technique is gonna work for you here," Toni said, to which he claimed a "spark had already been made".
Seemingly shocked she told him: "Good luck, pal." He said back: "That's all I've got to say really, but I don't want no bad blood." Toni was clearly taken aback and told him: "...you've got it pal."
It comes as viewers confessed they think they already know which former Love Island star is set to enter the famous second villa, Casa Amor. After Sophie's exit left fans stunned with many gutted to see her go so early on, some viewers became convinced her time on the show isn't over.
With a recent series seeing a dumped girl return to the villa for Casa Amor, viewers are now speculating Sophie will be back on the show in a matter of weeks, as a bombshell in the second villa. Taking to X, fans guessed the twist would happen with one fan writing: "I reckon Sophie will re-enter the villa as a bombshell by the end of next week at the latest or she will re-enter in Casa Amor." Another said: "Dw Sophie you'll be back in 4 weeks for Casa Amor."
A third viewer begged: "Nah bring Sophie back for Casa Amor she deserves a chance." A fourth fan agreed: "Bring her back for casa amor!!" as a fifth viewer posted: "Gutted for her and bring back Sophie as a bombshell or Casa Amor."
Love Island 2025 airs every night at 9PM on ITV2 and ITVX.