Shaughna Phillips reveals why Love Island's top couple won't last – and it makes sense
Former Love Island star Shaughna Phillips has insisted that she doesn't see things working out between one of the most popular couples on the ITV2 dating show despite their current chemistry in the villa.
Shaughna, 31, has said that she feels incredibly skeptical about smitten couple Toni Laites and Cach Mercer and doesn't see their romance lasting once the show is over.
The ex Love Island star, who appeared on the winter series back in 2020, told The Mirror: "I felt bad for Toni because I think she did genuinely like Cach originally, but Harrison just threw her head into a spin." It comes after pregnant Shaughna revealed her biggest regret over her romance on the show.
'She probably acted on it mainly because she had known Harrison for a longer period of time than Cach," she added about Toni.
'She probably went with what felt familiar, and she made an uninformed decision in choosing Harrison - not through her own fault. Cach is this season's Ovie. He is an absolute king, and she did mess up the first time for a boy," Shaughna said.
Despite the fact that Toni and Cach now seem on top of the world now that they are finally rid of all the love triangles, Shaughna has pointed out one major barrier for the couple in the future.
'They seem like they're going well in the villa, but sadly, I think there could be lingering animosity between the pair. I just have this feeling that although Cach hardly ever shows it, there's probably going to be a bit of tension when they get out into the real world," Shaughna said.
'Logistically as well it doesn't work – she lives in America. It's bad enough for couples who live far apart in the UK when coming out of the Love Island villa, but this is another level," she added to Card Player.
Elsewhere, Shaughna has defended Cooksley for going back to Shakira Khan despite making things exclusive with Helena Ford just two days prior.
Despite criticism online, Shaughna believes Harry's decision to pick Shakira was from the heart - not a tactical move.
'Harry is emotionally a donut, but he isn't a gameplayer,' she said. 'If he were being strategic, he would've stayed with Helena.
'If Harry had any chance of winning, it would've been with Helena, so he's messed that up. For him to now pick Shakira shows his genuine feelings, I believe. But wow… he left it late."
'I would love to say that Shakira should move on and not give Harry another chance, but I am a bit of a wet wipe, and so when I was her age, if I had even the smallest feelings for someone back then, as Shakira has for Harry, even if everyone was telling me they were bad news… if they turned to me and said, 'Let's try,' I'd be like, 'Okay, let's try again.'
"So, I feel for Shakira. I think she does genuinely like him, and she was kind of soft-launching it when she said, 'In a perfect world, they'd be together.' I don't think anyone should judge her for that."
Love Island continues Sunday at 9PM on ITV2 and ITVX.
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