It was the Welsh romance that actually felt real for a second. We all watched Ciaran Davies and Nicole Samuel storm through Love Island Series 11, surviving those explosive villa arguments only to finish as the runners-up. They were the couple you either rooted for because of their intense chemistry or worried about because of those high-octane "trust issue" moments.
But are Ciaran and Nicole still together today?
The short answer is no. Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer for the fans who thought they were the next big power couple. While they seemed like they were in it for the long haul—moving in together almost immediately after landing back in the UK—their relationship hit a wall just five months after the finale. By December 2024, the pair officially called it quits.
If you’re seeing them pop up on your feed again lately, there’s a massive reason for that: Ciaran is back on our screens. As of January 2026, he’s officially entered the villa for Love Island: All Stars, confirming to the world that he’s been single for over a year and is looking to "redeem himself" after his previous stint.
Why did Ciaran and Nicole break up?
It’s the classic post-villa curse. In the villa, they were inseparable. They were the "Welsh dream team." But once the cameras stopped rolling and the reality of laundry, bills, and constant public scrutiny set in, things shifted.
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The signs were actually there if you were looking closely enough on social media back in late 2024. Fans noticed that Nicole had started "purging" her Instagram of her highlights featuring Ciaran. Then came the awkwardness. People spotted them at their management’s Christmas party, but they supposedly traveled there separately and stayed in different hotel rooms.
Basically, the math wasn't mathing.
A representative for the couple eventually confirmed the split to The Tab on December 9, 2024, stating it was a "mutual decision." They claimed they’d remain good friends, but the "friendship" seemed a bit strained when Nicole reportedly unfollowed Ciaran shortly after.
The real world pressure
Nicole has been pretty open about how tough it was. Speaking at an event in London in early 2025, she explained that coming out into the real world is just different. "In the villa, it isn't real life," she said. She mentioned that they simply drifted apart and there was no massive, dramatic "cheating" scandal or anything like that.
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- Move-in speed: They moved into Nicole's house in South Wales within days of leaving the show.
- The timeline: They lasted roughly five months (July to December 2024).
- New chapters: Ciaran is currently 23 and filming All Stars 2026.
Where are they now?
Life didn't stop for either of them after the breakup. In fact, they both moved on relatively quickly.
Ciaran was linked to 2025 Islander Emily Moran for a while. Reports suggested they got to know each other after he reached out to her post-show. However, that clearly didn't lead to a long-term thing given his current status as a bombshell on the 2026 All Stars season. He’s gone into the new series saying he wants to be more "open-minded" this time around, which basically sounds like he isn't going to lock himself down on Day 1 like he did with Nicole.
Nicole hasn't stayed single either. She’s been dating a rugby player from South Wales named Dylan Williams. It seems she definitely has a "type." She revealed they met after he slid into her DMs—the modern way to find love, obviously. They’ve been seen on holidays in Ibiza and seem pretty happy away from the intense Love Island spotlight.
Is there any chance of a reunion?
Don't hold your breath.
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When All Stars producers reportedly reached out to Nicole to join the 2026 cast alongside her ex, she turned it down. She’s mentioned in interviews that the breakup was something she needed time to process and heal from. While Ciaran is busy trying to find a new connection in the villa, Nicole seems perfectly content living her life in Wales with Dylan.
It’s always a bit sad when a couple that "gave us everything" on TV doesn't make it, but five months in the real world is a decent run for a reality show romance.
If you're following the new season of All Stars:
Keep an eye on how Ciaran handles his new connections. He’s admitted he was a bit "closed off" during his first run. Seeing him navigate the villa as a single man after such a public relationship with Nicole is going to be one of the main storylines of the season.
Check out the latest All Stars episodes to see if the "Welsh charmer" can actually find a love that lasts longer than five months this time.