logo
Why Helena and Harry's shotgun trip to The Hideaway means Love Island's rediscovered its sex factor

Why Helena and Harry's shotgun trip to The Hideaway means Love Island's rediscovered its sex factor

Scottish Sun11-06-2025
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
CALL me a voyeur, but I'm a 40-year-old, married woman who is hot under the collar at the idea lust is back on Love Island.
The Sun told yesterday how two of this year's intake enjoyed a sleepover in the private Hideaway boudoir just 56 hours after meeting.
6
Blonde cabin crew Helena Ford enjoyed a sleepover in the Hideaway
Credit: itv
6
Semi-pro footballer Harry Cooksley is now coupled up with another Islander
Credit: itv
It's even juicier because - officially - both blonde cabin crew Helena Ford and semi-pro footballer Harry Cooksley are coupled up with other Islanders.
Of course it helps that both are cut straight from the Barbie and Ken mould, with matching abs, glowing tans and designer locks.
So when I heard from my source that the pin-up pairing had snuck away on Monday to spend the night in the private bedroom, I was gleeful.
That's not because I get my kicks watching twenty-somethings frolic in a Majorcan villa - honest, Mr Cross.
It's because it was the early sign of promise that sex might just be back on Love Island after years of celibacy.
Bold choice too far
Let me lead you astray, back to 2015 when the ITV dating series first plunged a group of youngsters into a luxury villa and encouraged them to find, ahem, love.
The series' main characters were John Lee and Hannah Elizabeth, who weren't afraid to get down to it in the communal bedroom.
Despite Michelle and Stuart, then Makosi and Anthony engaging in a public PDA on Big Brother in 2004 and 2005 respectively, such bold antics felt entirely new to TV viewers and split the nation.
But nothing prepared the pearl clutchers for what happened a year on.
The entire cast let rip, with eight couples going all the way - usually in the shared bedroom - which was all fun and games until ITV bosses took two specific editorial decisions too far.
Love Island fans spot clue islander is 'faking' claim he has never shared a bed with a girl
Beauty queen Zara Holland was stripped of her Miss GB title after having sex with Alex Bowen in the Hideaway in 2016.
The judges were said to have been particularly offended by a scene which saw her visibly enjoying the act.
Then, another late night scene showed Emma-Jane Woodham on top of Terry Walsh, above the bed covers.
It was a bold choice too far - even after the 9pm watershed - and viewers rushed to Ofcom.
That was the end of sex on Love Island as we knew it and from then on, execs took the decision to instead show a shaking bedside lamp or tangled pair of feet.
And in recent years the Instagram career-focussed cast and media trained Islanders have abstained entirely.
Abi Moores told The Sun that no one hooked up in the 2023 series until the penultimate night, when the cast are allowed to spend a night away from the cameras.
6
Dejon and Meg have also locked lips
6
Helena has a three way kiss with Conor and Harry
Only TV personality Joey Essex and his girl Jessy Potts succumbed last summer - and the only clue was a wobbling champagne bucket, as they cemented their union, artfully off shot.
But this lot don't seem to be as PR-focussed.
Last night's episode, the third of this series, presented a lapdance, finger sucking, a string of snogs and even a three-way smooch.
Tommy and Megan, Dejon and Meg, Shakira and Blu and throuple Helena, Harry and Conor have all locked lips.
And the ep teased Helena and Harry's saucy sleepover, with them sharing an afternoon kiss on the Hideaway's swing and joking they would 'wait five minutes after everyone's gone to sleep then sneak in overnight.'
Frankly, it's the green shoots of recovery the long-running series needs.
The launch drew an audience of 1.4 million across all devices, which ITV proudly reported was ITV2's biggest show this year.
But it represented a drop on last year's 1.6 million and was a far cry from its heyday when 6 million tuned in.
As the series celebrates its tenth anniversary, there's still some love left for the format - all 11 series have been streamed a whopping 2billion times to date on ITVX.
This year's up-for-it cast could prove to be the Viagra the series needs.
6
Harry and Helena were in the Hideaway boudoir just 56 hours after meeting
6
Love Island's Shakira and Blu sharing a kiss
The dating show genre has upped its game in recent years, with Rylan Clark's Dating Naked asking its cast to find love entirely in the nude.
And 12 innocents even explored popping their cherries on Channel 4's Virgin Island.
But will Helena and Harry end up regretting their private night?
Zara Holland, now 29, crown for being Love Island's most talked-about bonker after her beauty pageant scandal in 2016.
After the series, she said: 'I regret massively having sex on the show.
'If I could turn back the clock, I would.
'I know I didn't do anything illegal, I was twenty at the time, there's nothing to be ashamed of but yes, you know, it was the biggest regret.'
Montana Brown's relationship with Alex Beattie only lasted a couple of weeks when they left the villa.
And Montana, now 29 and a mum of two, came to look back on their hour-long sex sessions during the 2017 series with regret.
She said: 'In hindsight, having sex on TV wasn't the best idea. My advice to the new hopefuls is not to do it.
'If I could have done it differently, I wouldn't have had sex.
'It's all everyone wants to speak about now.'
While some regret having sex on TV just once, Kem Cetinay's remorse comes from the fact he had so much.
The 2017 series winner, now 29, spoke about his amorous stay in the villa with Amber Davies.
He said: 'Maybe I shouldn't have had as much sex as I did – maybe once or twice would have been enough.
'Now I've got a business and I've got staff, and if new recruits search for me, some of the first articles that come up will be about me having sex on TV.'
There's plenty of Islanders who still love the fact they for lusty on screen.
It's as if people wanted me to be ashamed, but I'm not going to be.
Megan Barton-Hanson
Jess Shears, now 32, romped with Dom Lever on 2017's series and she reckons hooking up in the villa helped cement their relationship.
They are now married with two children.
She said: 'I don't regret having sex on TV as such, but it's a bit strange that the whole nation knows about it.
'No one normally knows about your sexual relations but then at the end of the day if that worked for Dom and I, I'm glad that we did because I'm still with him now.'
Kady McDermott, now 29, also didn't regret her on-screen sex with boyfriend Scott Thomas in the 2016 series.
The couple even stayed together for 18 months after leaving the villa.
She said: 'I personally don't regret having sex because it was with someone I was actually with and loved.'
And Megan Barton-Hanson is another who has vocally supported pursuing a physical connection on the show after hooking up with Wes Nelson in 2018.
She said: 'There is still so much stigma around women even saying they enjoy sex, let alone doing it on national TV.
'When Wes and I were interviewed afterwards, I would always be asked if I regretted having sex on TV and if my parents were embarrassed. They didn't ask Wes.
'It's as if people wanted me to be ashamed, but I'm not going to be.'
*Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rita Ora shows off her legs in red hot-pants paired with ‘I love mushrooms' tee
Rita Ora shows off her legs in red hot-pants paired with ‘I love mushrooms' tee

Scottish Sun

time11 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Rita Ora shows off her legs in red hot-pants paired with ‘I love mushrooms' tee

Rita recently returned to the music scene with single Heat RITA'S HAVING FUNGI Rita Ora shows off her legs in red hot-pants paired with 'I love mushrooms' tee Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SINGER Rita Ora looks magic in a top declaring 'I love mushrooms'. The 34-year-old paraded the statement on a T-shirt paired with red hot-pants and black boots. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Rita Ora stepped out in a T-shirt declaring, 'I love mushrooms' Credit: The Mega Agency 3 Rita was in Saint-Tropez in the French Riviera Credit: The Mega Agency Rita was in Saint-Tropez in the French Riviera with her husband, film director Taika Waititi. Rita has recently returned to the music scene with her new hit single, Heat. The raunchy song revolves around having sex, and has gone down well with fans. Talking about her new summer banger, the singer told The Sun: 'I wanted to really celebrate my sexuality and the way I am as a woman. 'My last album was so different, it was about my love life and getting married. 'But with this next lot of music I wanted it to be so carefree and back to how I was coming up in the industry. 'I wanted to celebrate everything I have become. "It's not super deep, just fun.' 'Finally a cute collection' shoppers cry as Rita Ora drops summer Primark range

Love Island fans in a frenzy as iconic Meet The Family segment RETURNS
Love Island fans in a frenzy as iconic Meet The Family segment RETURNS

Scottish Sun

time11 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Love Island fans in a frenzy as iconic Meet The Family segment RETURNS

it's back! Love Island fans in a frenzy as iconic Meet The Family segment RETURNS as Toni's mum makes her entrance Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island fans have been sent into a frenzy as a fan-favourite feature makes its long-awaited comeback. ITV has confirmed the return of the very popular Meet The Family segment, set to air in the lead-up to the final. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 1 Love Island's Meet The Family segment is returning The fan-favourite, which sees Islanders reunited with their family members and friends inside the villa, has long been a staple of the series. It often delivers emotional reunions and candid exchanges, with some families raising concerns or giving their blessing to the couples ahead of the show's conclusion. This year's family visits are expected to air in the final week of the series.

Harry and Helena break down in tears as they cut final romantic ties in emotional scenes
Harry and Helena break down in tears as they cut final romantic ties in emotional scenes

The Sun

time41 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Harry and Helena break down in tears as they cut final romantic ties in emotional scenes

Joshua Rom, Freelance Entertainment Reporter Published: Invalid Date, BOTH Harry and Helena broke down in tears multiple times as they cut their final romantic ties in emotional scenes. The duo have continued to deal with the fallout from The Grafties on the long-running ITV2 show. 6 6 6 After all the islanders watched Harry Cooksley flirt with Shakira Khan on the big screen, huge questions were asked within the villa. Later on, Harry admitted that he still had feelings for Shakira, despite being exclusive with Helena Ford. Then Shakira ended her couple partnership with Conor Phillips saying she had suppressed her feelings towards Harry. On tonight's episode of Love Island, all of the group continued to deal with the ramifications. Harry also previously told Conor that he only felt like his partnership with Helena was "more friendly." This made her absolutely devastated as she broke off her partnership with Harry tonight for the final time. "You're so selfish, you've literally broken my heart Harry. Like I cannot be your friend in here. "And I will not be your friend on the outside, I can f****** promise you that. I don't want any association with you ever again." When he suggested that the duo may eventually become friends on the outside, she shut him down once again. "I don't think we will be friends Harry. You don't possess any morals or values that I look for when I'm becoming friends with people. Love Island star Helena interrupts Harry and Shakira sharing their feelings for each other in awkward encounte "My friends don't treat me like that. I don't think you have an ounce of respect for me, you've literally ruined everything for me in here." She added: "I literally don't want anything to do with you Harry." That's when the footballers couldn't help but tear up after listening to her resounding words of rejection. Helena added: "I feel like I had something genuine in here and it's like obviously it wasn't. Love Island 2025 full lineup Harry Cooksley: A 30-year-old footballer with charm to spare. Shakira Khan: A 22-year-old Manchester-based model, ready to turn heads. Megan Moore: A payroll specialist from Southampton, looking for someone tall and stylish. Alima Gagigo: International business graduate with brains and ambition. Tommy Bradley: A gym enthusiast with a big heart. Helena Ford: A Londoner with celebrity connections, aiming to find someone funny or Northern. Ben Holbrough: A model ready to make waves. Dejon Noel-Williams: A personal trainer and semi-pro footballer, following in his footballer father's footsteps. Aaron Buckett: A towering 6'5' personal trainer. Conor Phillips: A 25-year-old Irish rugby pro. Antonia Laites: Love Island's first bombshell revealed as sexy Las Vegas pool party waitress. Yasmin Pettet: The 24-year-old bombshell hails from London and works as a commercial banking executive. Emily Moran: Bombshell Welsh brunette from the same town as Love Island 2024 alumni Nicole Samuel. Harrison Solomon: Pro footballer and model entering Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Giorgio Russo: The 30-year-old will be spending his summer in the sun, potentially his sister Alessia's successful tournament at the Euros in Switzerland. Yaz Broom: Professional DJ from Manchester who appeared on X Factor 2016 in girl group Four of Diamonds. Andrada Pop: Miss Bikini Ireland 2019 winner who hails from Dublin and works as a nail technician and personal trainer. Emma Munro: Harry Cooksley's ex who entered as a bombshell and works as a hydrogeologist. Departures: Kyle Ashman: Axed after an arrest over a machete attack emerged. He was released with no further action taken and denies any wrongdoing. Sophie Lee: A model and motivational speaker who has overcome adversity after suffering life-changing burns in an accident. Blu Chegini: A boxer with striking model looks, seeking love in the villa. Malisha Jordan: A teaching assistant from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, who entered Love Island 2025 as a bombshell. Shea Mannings: Works as a scaffolder day-to-day and plays semi-pro football on the side. Caprice Alexandra: The 26-year-old bombshell owns a nursery in Romford. Poppy Harrison: The bombshell broke up with her boyfriend after finding out she would be in the villa Will Means: The fourth fittest farmer in the UK according to Farmers' Weekly in 2023 entered the villa as a bombshell Megan Clarke: An Irish actress part of the OG line-up. Remell Mullins: Boasts over 18million likes and 500k followers on TikTok thanks to his sizzling body transformation videos. Alima Gagigo: 23-year-old personal banker from Glasgow who fancies herself as a 'good flirt'. Ryan Bannister: 27-year-old gym hunk who entered the show as a bombshell. "I just feel so stupid because you clearly haven't felt the same as I felt about you this whole time." She couldn't help but wrap her arms around his neck in a gesture of pity as she caressed his face one more time. As they let go she exclaimed: "It's where the journey ends my darling!" Later on, the pair were in the bedroom together where they wrapped their arms around one another for one final hug goodbye. I don't think you have an ounce of respect for me, you've literally ruined everything for me in here. Helena FordLove Island But that night, Helena once again broke down in tears to Meg and Dejon 6 6

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store