ITV Love Island's Sammy Root 'moving on' after split with Jess Harding

26 October 2023 , 16:42

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Jess Harding and Sammy Root split after winning Love Island together

ITV Love Island winner Sammy Root has revealed he's "moving on" after his shock split from ex-girlfirend Jess Harding.

The 22-year-old project manager from Kent was coupled up with 23-year-old Jess Harding in the villa this year, and they went on to gain the support of the public, scooping the £50,000 prize. But it was that same support that made the break-up so difficult, when the couple split earlier this month.

Speaking to OK! magazine, Sammy said: "It was hard at first - that's an understatement. When you've got so many people invested in your relationship and you're doing it so publicly, it's a bit mad. But I've got amazing friends and family and I'm so privileged to be in this position, so I feel like I can't waste it and be stuck on one thing."

Love Island winner Sammy Root could return to his old job one day (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

He explained: "I can't change it [the breakup]. I'd rather just move on and wish all the best for Jess, and make the most of what I can for myself." Sammy says of the couple's shock split: "There was a period of about a week or so that we were talking on and off, and it was kind of just one of those things."

When he found out from the media that their relationship was over, he released a statement addressing the nature of the breakup. It read: "To be totally clear - I at least wanted a face to face conversation to see if our relationship could be saved and felt this would be a respectful way forward. We had the most incredible experience winning Love Island and I genuinely saw a future with Jess. I was committed and respectful to our relationship. Unfortunately, things don't always work out the way you'd hoped."

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Jess and Sammy won Love Island in July (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

A new relationship isn't on the cards any time soon, with Sammy saying: "I'm looking after me right now." He admitted he thought the public voted him and Jess in as winners because they could relate to them, saying: "I think me and Jess were your standard kind of people, very down to earth and very real."

He's now got the opportunity to pursue dreams he's had, including doing charity work for Dog's Trust, as well as mental health organisation Mind. But he wouldn't rule out returning to his old career as a project manager. Speaking previously to The Mirror, Sammy said: "Never say never, I was quite happy where I was. At the same time, the fashion route and sports route is something I have always been passionate about. If I could secure myself a career in one of those industries then that would be another dream come true for me."

Amelia Ward