Love Island All Stars kicked off with a bang on Monday evening, as several exes came face-to-face with their former partners.
Among the awkward reunions was Liberty Poole and Jake Cornish, who struck up a romance in the seventh series.
The pair were originally favourites to win, but broke up and quit the show just days before the final after Movie Night revelations rocked their romance.
Ahead of her re-entry into the villa, Liberty, 24, admitted it might be ‘awkward’ coming across an ex-boyfriend in the South African villa and seemingly shut down the possibility of any rekindled romances.
She got a nasty surprise on the launch episode, when she was faced with her ex-boyfriend Jake, 26, walking through the door.
Love Island All Stars kicked off with a bang on Monday evening, as several exes came face-to-face with their former partners, including Liberty Poole and Jake Cornish
The pair were originally favourites to win in series seven, but broke up and quit the show just days before the final after Movie Night revelations rocked their romance (pictured in July 2021)
Ahead of her re-entry into the villa, Liberty, 24, admitted it might be ‘awkward’ coming across an ex-boyfriend in the South African villa and seemingly shut down the possibility of any rekindled romances
Liberty was left openmouthed as she revealed they hadn’t spoken for two years and could only say ‘Oh my God’ as he came bounding into the South Africa villa.
The shocks didn’t stop there, as the couple were then left paired up, after the public voted on who would be matched with who.
The pair shared a turbulent relationship on the show in 2021, with Liberty falling hard and fast for Jake, but her feelings seemingly not being reciprocated.
The couple became the first to become official in series seven, when Jake asking Liberty to be his girlfriend.
However, during the Casa Amor loyalty test, Jake was seen encouraging his male co-stars to play away from their partners.
Clips of this moment were played during the iconic Movie Night, as well as earlier conversations of him talking to the boys about his feelings for Liberty.
In one video he told the guys: ‘Her personality is mint, I can’t fault her. It’s like talking to Jake with a wig on. It’s just not that 100 per cent where I look at her and go… I haven’t got the girl there where I’m like f*** me I want to rip your clothes off.
‘I don’t want to fake any s*** you know what I mean? I don’t want to say I really do like her when I don’t, I’d be lying to myself.’
She got a nasty surprise on the launch episode, when she was faced with her ex-boyfriend Jake, 26, walking through the door, leaving her openmouthed as she revealed they hadn’t spoken for two years
The shocks didn’t stop there, as the couple were then left paired up, after the public voted on who would be matched with who
Jake was also accused of ‘gaslighting’ and demonstrating ‘toxic’ traits after he failed to compliment Liberty, and made comments on her appearance and ‘messy habits’.
Liberty was left doubting Jake’s feelings for her, and he insisted that he did love her, saying his iconic line: ‘You’re my girlfriend, you’re part of me.’
He added: ‘I am honest because I love you. I love you for you. It’s scary to say but I do love ya.’
But when Liberty excitedly told the other girls about Jake’s confession, they were doubtful that he was being genuine.
Liberty finally broke down as she realised Jake didn’t love her the way she was, saying: ‘I can tell I’m giving him the ick over little things like being messy. I’d rather walk out being me.”
‘I’m not saying Jake isn’t a genuine guy but I don’t want to stay in the villa with someone that doesn’t like me or love me.’
The pair then both decided to leave the show just three days before the final after their split, completely shocking their fellow Islanders, while Liberty was left heartbroken.
Ahead of their reunion on All Stars, Liberty said she doesn’t regret dumping ‘toxic’ Jake because she could no longer ‘fake’ their romance.
The pair shared a turbulent relationship on the show in 2021, with Liberty falling hard and fast for Jake, but her feelings seemingly not being reciprocated
During Movie Night, clips showed Jake encouraging his male co-stars to play away from their partners and admitting to not wanting to ‘rip Liberty’s clothes off’ leading to accusations of ‘gaslighting’ and demonstrating ‘toxic’ traits
Liberty finally broke down as she realised Jake didn’t love her the way she was and the pair then both decided to leave the show just three days before the final
She also said she had learned from her experience, and vowed not to fall in love so quickly this time after she confessed her feelings for Jake just weeks after they met.
In a subtle dig at her ex, Liberty said this time around she would like to leave with a ‘fit’ man who has a ‘good personality’ and a ‘good heart’ but she intends on pacing herself.
When asked if she would revisit their romance, Liberty replied: ‘I am a believer in second chances but me and Jake ended because there were incompatibilities and I didn’t regret my decision… I will be focusing on new connections.
‘One thing about me is I won’t fake anything. I am going in to find a connection but if that doesn’t happen, that’s it.
‘I am hoping for a better experience and hopefully this time I do leave with someone because that’s the point of going in. Hopefully I do leave with a fittie this time who has a good personality and a good heart.’
Liberty confirmed that she and Jake haven’t spoken in two years but she would encourage her ex to focus on pursuing a new romance in the villa and even suggests that they could become friends.
She added: ‘I haven’t spoken to him since. If he’s in there and wants a conversation then I’m happy to do that… at the time I didn’t have any regrets about my experience in the villa. I did what was right for me.
‘I wish him the best and if we were both in there together I want him to focus on finding love because that’s what I’m going to be doing.
Ahead of their reunion on All Stars, Liberty said she doesn’t regret dumping ‘toxic’ Jake because she could no longer ‘fake’ their romance
She also said she had learned from her experience, and vowed not to fall in love so quickly this time after she confessed her feelings for Jake just weeks after they met
‘I don’t want us being in the same room to take away from each other’s experiences. I will be civil… maybe we could even be mates… who knows?’
The former Dancing On Ice star had sex with Jake after they had committed to each other during their season but Liberty says she doesn’t want history repeating itself.
She said: I’m not planning on having sex this time. If you’re in a relationship and it happens in the moment then that’s not something you can prepare for because it’s just a natural progression but I’m not planning on it this time.’
Speaking about possibly being reunited with a former flame, Liberty added: ‘It’s always going to be awkward isn’t it, it’s always going to be weird seeing someone that you’ve been with getting with someone else.
‘I wish my exes nothing but the best. I’m going to be focused on my own journey so if it was to happen I won’t be worrying about them – so I’ll stay focused on my goal, which is to find love.’
Meanwhile, Jake brushed off any potential drama between the pair as he insisted there was no ‘bad blood’ between them, despite their shock on-screen break-up.
‘Well there is only one and that’s Liberty. We never ended with any bad blood between us and everything happens for a reason. We just become two different people in the end,’ he said.
Of his return, he added: ‘I have definitely matured in the two years since first being on the show. I look at things differently and respond differently.
Meanwhile, Jake brushed off any potential drama between the pair as he insisted there was no ‘bad blood’ between them, despite their shock on-screen break-up
After Liberty and Jake were coupled up again on Monday night, they were quick to shoot down any possibility of rekindling the romance when asked by host Maya Jama
‘When it comes to people’s opinions, I don’t sit on the fence anymore. That is my way of life now, so I will take that into the Villa.’
After Liberty and Jake were coupled up again on Monday night, they were quick to shoot down any possibility of rekindling the romance when asked by host Maya Jama.
Jake put his foot in his mouth, saying: ‘I don’t hate the girl’ when asked if he was happy to be paired with her.
And when Maya asked: ‘Is there any room for a rekindle do we think?’ both Liberty and Jake immediately shook their heads and in unison replied: ‘No.’
However, an insider has hinted that Jake may take the opportunity to try his luck with Liberty once again.
Speaking to The Mirror, the source said: ‘Jake is hoping to make amends second time round and will have more reason to be on guard as Liberty’s best pal Kaz Kamwi will be by her side.
‘There will be no room for messing up even if he does attempt to recouple with Liberty.
‘Liberty and Jake had an extremely awkward reunion on Aftersun at the end of their series but it will be nothing compared to discovering they will be living in the same house for weeks on end.
However, an insider has hinted that Jake may take the opportunity to try his luck with Liberty once again
Host Maya advised Liberty to follow her heart, whether it led her back to Jake or to someone new, after the presenter herself got back together with her own ex, Stormzy, last year (pictured with Stormzy in November)
‘There were rumours the pair had given things another go after the show but the truth is they’ve not seen each other for years so things are going to get very uncomfortable.’
Host Maya advised Liberty to follow her heart, whether it led her back to Jake or to someone new, after the presenter herself got back together with her own ex, Stormzy, last year.
She said: ‘I think Liberty is going to do what she wants to do. Some people are just meant to be together and some people aren’t.
‘A lot of the girlies are rooting for Lib. Maybe she’ll find a new love in there but maybe her and Jake will rekindle an old spark.
‘I actually can’t predict who is going to get together. From that line-up who would know? Some of them have probably never crossed paths and some of them will have history.’
LOVE ISLAND ALL STARS: MEET THE CAST
Liberty Poole
AGE: 24
SERIES: 7
Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? I’m a lot more confident in who I am and sure about exactly what I want from a relationship. I just want to have fun and meet a lovely boy.
How will you feel if you come across an ex in the Villa or someone you’ve dated from the show since appearing? It’s always going to be awkward isn’t it, it’s always going to be weird seeing someone that you’ve been with getting with someone else. I wish my exes nothing but the best. I’m going to be focused on my own journey.
Kaz Kamwi
AGE: 29
SERIES: 7
Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? To be totally honest, I actually really want to find love.
I had a great time last series but I want to have an even better time.
How will you feel if you come across an ex in the Villa or someone you’ve previously dated from the show? The thing is, I’m a bad b*tch so I will handle it with as much grace as I can.
Georgia Harrison
AGE: 29
SERIES: 3
Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? This is the last year of my 20s so I want to go in the Villa and have some fun and hopefully meet someone that I can fall in love with. I’m lucky in the sense that I’ve got everything in my life that I could possibly wish for, apart from love.
If you had to pick your top Islanders from Series 1 to 10 to couple up with who would they be and why? Chris Taylor, he’s hilarious and the main thing I’m attracted to is a man who can make me laugh. What a fun guy and like I said, I’m looking for someone to TikTok with so I reckon he’d be game for that sort of stuff!
Demi Jones
AGE: 25
SERIES: 6
Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? I lost a lot of confidence with my health issues over the last couple of years but I’ve been smashing the gym this year, finding my confidence again and I’ve got it back. So, let’s find a man!
How will you feel if you come across an ex in the Villa or someone you’ve dated from the show since? It will be interesting to see if old flames get reignited. Naturally with Love Island paths are very much crossed and believe me, I have some paths!
Hannah Elizabeth
AGE: 33
SERIES: 1
Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? I’m returning to the Love Island Villa because I did it eight years ago and what an opportunity I never thought I’d get again. I’m not very good at finding love but I had a ball the first time, so I’m going to have a ball again.
You got engaged on the show last time, do you think wedding bells could be on the cards again this time round? Absolutely not, not in the Villa no. Maybe when I get out, but I’d need to give it a bit of time.
Georgia Steel
AGE: 25
SERIES: 4
Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? I’m 25, I have a house, a cat, a nice car – I have everything in life but a boyfriend, so why not give it as go.
You’ve been brave and honest in opening up about being conned by a former partner. How has this experience impacted the way in which you now approach dating?
I take that experience as a really positive reflection now. I look at it as something I had to go through to make me stronger and learn things in life for me to be able to learn what I want in my next partner.
Jake Cornish
AGE: 26
SERIES: 7
How will you feel if you come across an ex in the Villa or someone you’ve dated from the show since appearing? Well there is only one and that’s Liberty. We never ended with any bad blood between us and everything happens for a reason. We just become two different people in the end.
What will you do differently this time round? When it comes to people’s opinions, I don’t sit on the fence anymore. That is my way of life now, so I will take that into the Villa.
Toby Aromolaran
AGE: 24
SERIES: 7
Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? If I’m Single and Love Island is an opportunity for me, how could you turn down the chance to find love again?!
You were in a long term relationship with Chloe Burrows, what do you think her reaction will be when she hears you are going into the Villa? I don’t know how she would take it. We will always have love for each other and I think she would wish me the best of luck, as I would certainly do the same.
Chris Taylor
AGE: 33
SERIES: 9
Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? Last time I was only there for 15 days, so I want to do it and enjoy it all again. I am 33 now and getting on a bit – I am getting ear hair! It would be nice to have a girl to keep my ears trimmed for me!
How did the Barbie Movie come about? I was invited to an afterparty by Margot Robbie and then ended up at an after party with her. I started to panic and make conversation with her, just having really stupid chats. All I can assume is that my silly chat made an impression on Margot Robbie. 18 months later I got an email from Warner Brothers asking do you want to try out for this role as Ken – it was a tumble dryer of emotions.
Luis Morrison
AGE: 29
SERIES: 1
Why are you returning to the famous Love Island Villa? It was the best experience of my life. I found love in the Villa before and who knows if I can find love in there again?
What will you do differently this time round?
I’m a lot older and wiser, so I know what I am getting myself into. I don’t have a game plan at all – I am an open book so I will go with the flow and see what happens.
Anton Danyluk
AGE: 29
SERIES: 5
Why are you returning to the Love Island Villa? For me it was a no brainer. I got the call and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and probably the best summer I have ever had in my life. Getting the chance to do it twice is going to be unbelievable.
Why do you think the Love Island Villa is the perfect place to find love?
I think this time with Love Island: All Stars, things will be different, as we all understand what it’s like to go on Love Island and the only thing now missing is finding a partner.
Mitchel Taylor
AGE: 27
SERIES: 10
Why are you returning to the Love Island villa? I think I went in with my heart on my sleeve the first time and got hurt and this time I am just going in to enjoy myself and if a connection happens, a connection happens.
In the summer you were given the name ‘Messy Mitch’, and a name that you have taken on as your own, can we expect more of the same in the series? I’ll be honest, I don’t really plan on being ‘Messy Mitch’. It just depends on what day of the week it is. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and what you see is what you get. I am very honest and very opinionated and I think that’s what people like me for. If I don’t agree with something, I’m not going to hold it back.