Jess Harding and Sammy Root have revealed the next step for their relationship.
The couple won the summer 2023 series of Love Island, after securing 34.57% of the public vote.
Elsewhere, the remaining finalists’ share of the vote were as follows: runners-up Whitney Adebayo and Lochan Nowacki (26.85%), third place Ella Thomas and Tyrique Hyde (24.21%), and fourth place Molly Marsh and Zachariah Noble (14.37%).
During their exit interview with ITV, Sammy spoke about how it felt to win the series, admitting: “It feels amazing, it’s hard to have any words for it really but it’s very surreal.”
Jess added: “I feel like it was a close call and everyone did so well. To win it is over the moon. Very positive, happy and overwhelmed.”
“When we were stood up there we looked at everyone and thought they were all worthy to win,” Sammy continued. “It was hard to work it out. When our names were called it was a shock to the system, but a nice shock.”
Speaking about her future with her beau, Jess said: “I feel like I’m ready to enjoy the outside world with Sammy, it’s been an amazing opportunity and I am grateful to start it and finish it as a winner so very happy.”
Jess revealed they’re in “no rush” to move in together, but want to travel South East Asia, saying they’re “both young and want to see the world.”
Sammy agreed, saying he also “didn’t want to rush anything”, explaining: “It’s been a very very long journey and I’ve enjoyed every step of the way, the best two months of my life. It’s exciting for us to crack on on the outside.”
Jess concluded of their Love Island experience: “I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity. It has been the best.”
“I have learned a lot about myself. Parts of myself and how I have handled situations.”
“I have matured and dealt with arguments. And trusting the process, realising if it’s meant to be it will be,” Jess continued. “Don’t chase a man, you have to trust in things.”
Meanwhile, Sammy concluded: “For me it’s a case of saying to myself I would be real the whole time. To say I have regrets, no I don’t at all.”
“Certain situations could have been better, but we were in a different environment.”
