Love Island winners crowned in summer 2021 series after show’s break

Millie Court and Liam Reardon are crowned winners of Love Island at the end of the 2021 series of the dating show’s first run for 18 months.

The couple beat three other pairings to win the popular ITV2 programme’s £50,000 prize pot. Joining them in the final were Kaz Kamwi and Tyler Cruickshank, Chloe Burrows and Toby Aromolaran, and Faye Winter and Teddy Soares.

Earlier in the show, Millie, a fashion buyer’s assistant from Essex, considered breaking it off with Welsh bricklayer Liam after his unfaithfulness during Casa Amor week. But the couple decided to reunite and become exclusive.

This year’s series, lasting nearly two months, broadcasted from the villa in Spain. It is the first run of the show since its winter debut in early 2020 just before Covid.

Talking points from this year’s series

• Faye’s outburst – The fallout from Casa Amor week was particularly dramatic and volatile this year. Footage of Faye reacting aggressively to an out of context clip implying her partner Teddy cheated on her prompted record complaints. Viewers accused producers of manipulating Faye and exploiting her trust issues for dramatic effect.

• Hugo – Before the series began, there was much talk of PE teacher Hugo becoming the first physically disabled contestant. Once inside the villa he offended a number of islanders with his comments about not liking “fake” women. He later tearfully apologised, but still failed to find love. However, it is his shouting of “job done” seconds after kissing Amy that had social media recoiling in horror.

• The cheating and forgiving – All the men apart from Jake and Teddy cheated on their partners during Casa Amor week. However, all was eventually forgiven as the men were given a second chance.

• Jiberty’s heartbreak – Jake and Liberty looked like one of the season’s strongest couples. But their spark fizzled out when Liberty started to doubt Jake’s authenticity towards her. The couple dramatically split before amicably agreeing to leave the villa together.

• Laura Whitmore’s “multitasking” – The Love Island host opened up about challenges of juggling new motherhood during the pandemic while fronting the show. Some fans criticised the presenter for her infrequent appearances. In response, she says it “hasn’t been easy” fronting one of the biggest shows on TV. “The last few months have been full on” with pressures from the media, being a new mum, and Covid measures. “Just surviving each day on a manic schedule is tough”.

Causing controversy

Love Island has met a lot of controversy in recent years, owing largely to the deaths of former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis. While their deaths are not linked directly to the show, they raise questions about mental health and treatment of TV personalities. Whitmore replaced previous presenter Caroline Flack after she took her own life last February.

ITV created new protocols for duty-of-care to this year’s contestants, offering “comprehensive psychological support” and a “proactive aftercare package”.

This year’s show has not been without its own controversies too, with some of Love Island’s staple dramatic twists. Ofcom received a record number of complaints from viewers about Faye’s aggressive confrontation with Teddy after the events of Casa Amor. The episode allegedly manipulated the female islanders.

However, the show still remains a significant commercial asset for ITV with its mostly young female audience of great value to advertisers. 

Islanders can also reap huge benefits too by building large online followings and bagging themselves the opportunity of lucrative deals when they leave the villa. There is the potential to make millions from social media and brand deals.

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