Sizzling Love Island has gripped the nation and taken us on a roller coaster ride of emotions as we watched its romances and rows.
So with tomorrow night's live final expected to net a record audience of over 6 million, spare a thought for how the contestants’ protective mums have been feeling...
As the sun sets on this year’s series, they have told of how they wept while seeing their children suffer heartbreak in the villa – and admitted they cringed at the “noise” of them snogging.
Beautician Amber Gill was devastated when her partner, fireman Michael Griffiths, dumped her for another girl.
Amber , 21, walked into the villa to the sight of Michael coupled up with someone else – after she had stayed faithful to him during a few days apart.
Mum Vanessa Waugh said she cried over her ordeal, saying: “She was obviously embarrassed and hurting to be dumped so publicly. However, the way she handled that situation made me proud to be her mum. She was so dignified and eloquent in how she handled it.
“She showed everyone she’s a strong, mature, independent woman. Although I was heartbroken for her, I was bursting with pride.
“It was difficult to watch her break down and cry.
“I wanted to take her out of the villa and give her a hug and tell her everything is going to be OK. But she needed to cry to get it out of her system.”
Maura Higgins’ mum Sharon said she got “tearful” when the boxing ring girl wept after her own split.
She said: “She’s such a bubbly girl so it can be upsetting to see her upset.”
Maura, 28, is with 23-year-old dancer Curtis Pritchard – and Sharon says she “cringes” whenever the lovebirds kiss “because of the noise of it”.
But she adds: “Hopefully, she has found love.”
Curtis’s mum, Debi, admits she also felt “tearful” at her son breaking up with Amy Hart, 26 – who quit the show, saying she was “heartbroken” by his actions.
Debi says: “The most difficult moment to watch was Curtis telling Amy how he felt. We were tearful with him and yet at the same time very proud.”
Curtis later rowed with ex-contestant Anna Vakili, 29, who branded him a “narcissist”. “It was hard to watch,” said Debi.
“He was making a genuine apology.”
Last night, the Islanders’ families entered the villa to give their verdict on their fledgling relationships.
The mum of 19-year-old model Molly-Mae Hague joked she wants her boyfriend, boxer Tommy Fury, 20, for herself.
And she told Tommy’s mum off for not teaching him to cook after he struggled to make peppermint tea and prepared a ketchup sandwich for a meal.
Amber was delighted her folks approved of Greg O’Shea, 24, praising him for “making Amber smile again”.
And Actor Tamer Hassan said he wanted to have “the chat” with 21-year-old daughter Belle’s partner, Anton Danyluk, 24.
The couple were dumped from the show last night and said they want Amber and Greg to win.
Anton added that being repeatedly rejected before hooking up with Belle “definitely humbled” him.
Ratings for Tuesday and Wednesday’s episodes last week consolidated at 4.6 million and 4.7 million respectively – ITV2’s biggest audiences yet. Across TV, PC, tablet and mobile, the viewing figures hit 6.1million and 6.2million.
- Tomorrow night’s live final is on ITV2 at 9pm
