Seven years. It’s been seven actual years since we watched Amber Gill get "pied" by Michael Griffiths, only to swoop in and win the whole thing with a guy she’d known for exactly twelve days. In reality TV time, that’s an eternity. Most people assume that after the Boohoo deals dry up and the Instagram engagement starts to dip, these islanders just sort of... vanish into the background of mediocre DJ sets and "natural" teeth whitening ads.
But the Class of 2019 was built different. Seriously.
Looking at the Love Island UK season 5 where are they now landscape in 2026, it’s a bizarre mix of genuine A-list superstardom, surprising career pivots, and more relationship drama than we ever saw in the villa. If you thought the "Dead Ting" comment was the peak of the drama, you haven't been paying attention to what's happened since.
The Molly-Mae and Tommy Saga: A 2026 Update
You can't talk about Season 5 without starting with the "parents" of the villa. Or, as the internet dubbed them, the only reason we still believe in love. But boy, has it been a rocky road.
By now, everyone knows about the "Great Split" of 2024. It sent shockwaves through the UK. After five years, an engagement, and their daughter Bambi, the unthinkable happened. They broke up. Tommy later got incredibly honest about it, admitting his struggles with alcohol had made him a partner he didn't recognize.
Honestly? It was heavy stuff.
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Fast forward to right now, January 2026, and the news is much better. They are officially back together and, according to Molly’s latest Prime Video documentary, Behind It All, they are currently moving back in together. Tommy has been sober for over a year, and they just kicked off 2026 with a massive family trip to the Maldives. Molly-Mae hasn't put her engagement ring back on just yet—she’s being real about "working through things"—but the vibes are finally looking up.
Maura Higgins: The New Queen of Reality TV
If there is one person who truly "won" Season 5 without actually winning, it’s Maura. She’s not just a former islander anymore; she’s basically a fixture of the global franchise.
In early 2026, Maura is currently a standout contestant on Season 4 of The Traitors US. It’s a genius move for her. Her Irish "spit-fire" energy (as the US press calls it) works perfectly in a castle full of backstabbers. Beyond that, she’s still hosting Love Island USA: Aftersun.
She also finally made her acting debut in an Irish indie film called The Spin, which just hit cinemas a few months ago. From hairdressing in County Longford to becoming a genuine transatlantic TV personality—it's been a wild ride.
What Happened to the Winners?
Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea. The couple that lasted about as long as a supermarket salad.
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Greg is a married man now. In October 2025, he tied the knot with model Jeanni Mulder in Dublin. He’s completely pivoted away from the "reality star" label, focusing on ultra-marathons and adventure racing. He even went to the Olympics for rugby 7s, which is a pretty solid flex.
Amber, meanwhile, has become a bit of a polymath. She wrote a romance novel, became a regular on Loose Women, and has been very open about her sexuality, confirming in 2023 that she is "switching teams." She’s currently one of the most respected voices in the influencer space because she actually says what she thinks, which, let’s be real, is rare.
The 2026 Baby Boom and Weddings
It’s not just about the big names. The supporting cast of Season 5 has been busy.
- Amy Hart: The "half-girlfriend" who broke our hearts. She’s now happily married to Sam Rason. After some incredibly brave and public conversations about fertility and two heartbreaking miscarriages, Amy announced her second pregnancy in November 2025. She’s due later this year, in 2026.
- Lucie Donlan and Luke Mabbott: Even though they were on different seasons, they’re the Season 5 adjacent success story. They are currently planning their wedding for later this year. Lucie is still out there living her best "surfer girl" life, proving that sometimes the best match happens at an afterparty, not in a villa.
- Ovie Soko: Still the coolest man to ever step foot in Mallorca. Ovie is still playing professional basketball for the London Lions (he briefly left but resigned in 2025). He’s also a frequent pundit for Sky Sports. Basically, he stayed exactly who he was, and we love him for it.
The Anton Danyluk "Rebrand"
Then there’s Anton. He’s been in the news lately for some... questionable reasons. When it was announced that his ex, Belle Hassan, was joining the cast of Love Island: All Stars Season 3 in early 2026, Anton posted this weirdly long reaction that somehow turned into an ad for his fitness coaching business.
People on Twitter (or X, whatever) absolutely roasted him for it. He’s very focused on his "Attune You" coaching program these days and seems to have retired from the "looking for love on TV" game. Belle, on the other hand, is still iconic as ever and currently causing chaos in the All Stars villa.
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Why This Season Still Matters
The reason we are still searching for Love Island UK season 5 where are they now in 2026 is simple: the cast felt real. They weren't just there to get a PLT deal; they had personalities that clashed and resonated in a way later seasons haven't quite captured.
From the Curtis and Amy "coffee" debacle to the Ovie "Message!" shout, these people became part of the cultural furniture. Seeing them grow into parents, athletes, and actual actors is kinda satisfying.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to keep up with the Class of 2019 without falling down a three-hour Instagram rabbit hole, here is the best way to do it:
- Watch 'Molly-Mae: Behind It All' on Prime Video: It is the most unfiltered look at the reality of post-villa fame and relationship repair you'll find.
- Catch 'The Traitors US' Season 4: Watch Maura Higgins prove why she’s the smartest person to ever walk into a fire pit.
- Follow Amy Hart’s Podcast: If you want the "real" side of motherhood and life after the show, Love Island: The Morning After (which she still co-hosts) is the gold standard.
The reality is that most islanders have a shelf life of about 18 months. The fact that we're still talking about the Season 5 crew seven years later says everything you need to know about why they were the GOATs of the franchise.
Next Steps for Your Rewatch:
If this trip down memory lane has you wanting to see the "Dead Ting" era again, Season 5 is currently streaming in full on ITVX and Hulu. It's worth it just to see Ovie make breakfast one more time.