"With Shocking Twists and Juicy Drama, This Is the Most Exciting Love Island in 4 Years – The Finale Will Prove It!"

FORGET the years of subpar Islanders and storylines so dry that you’ve been forced to doom scroll – this is the best series since Ekin-Su crawled across the terrace.

Fans have been officially fed in the penultimate week as the usual happy-ever-afters have been replaced with tears and tantrums on screen – delivering every last drop of drama ahead of Monday’s too-close-to-call-it final.

This series of Love Island has been the best in four years Credit: ITV The drama both inside and outside the villa has made this one of the best seasons yet Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

There’s simply not enough hours in the day to keep up with the b***hing, backstabbing and brother swapping.

Before the 13th series kicked off, I wondered if the legendary show would ever return to it’s former glory after last year’s very love-less final.

But producers pulling some brutal new tricks out of the bag is just one of the reasons the show is having it’s best run in four years.

Rewinding to the start, just three days into their free holiday, Ellie and Samraj were unexpectedly dumped from the villa – but to poor Yasmin’s horror they returned just 24 hours later with hot singles in tow.

If that wasn’t surprise enough, a brutal blow was additionally delivered: be picked by the new bombshells or pack your bags.

The clever twist infuriated the Islanders just days into the series, with a returning Ellie accusing Yasmin of being pally with her so she could steal her man.

But last night, we witnessed perhaps one of the most diligently planned new twists to date, which saw the stars watch what’s been said about them on Aftersun, aka the outside world.

In the never-before-done-format, villa mates were treated to clips of Charleen cheekily admitting to the AfterSun audience that she ‘went for the wrong brother’ and Elicia ranting on The Debrief podcast about “fake” Priya – subsequently riling her up so much she was unable to contain her fury as she hurled job-shaming insults into a void.

Not her brightest moment, but the peak reality telly moment left me wondering how much I’d pay to watch it over and over.

And coming up tonight, hottie host Maya Jama is fronting yet another show first twist – a podcast to grill the Islanders from inside the villa, with questions written by us, the viewers at home.

The Graftie Awards had the Islanders kicking off as they discovered some harsh truths Credit: ITV Aidan fumed at his brother Kavan for sharing private conversations with Jasmine Credit: ITV

There will be plenty to unpack, as this season has proven that Love Island is still hot stuff – with the old school vibes through the roof.

I blinked and as Ellie reprimanded Finley for deciding to pursue a connection with bombshell Elicia less than 24 hours after they’d slept together.

Then there’s “can I have a kiss” Aidan Murphy, who I can only describe as an absolute OG islander flirt and a complete master of chaos.

He’s been through seven couples in seven weeks – the second highest amount ever – and can’t help but spout any old b******s to any girl that will listen.

Aidan’s behaviour is uncannily like Anton Danyluk – the Love Island alum who thought it was a good idea to give his number to a cashier while out shopping for another date.

Every castmember is pulling their weight and it’s tapped back into the legendary meme culture.

With Julia clapping back “kiss my a**” in Irish, Simba saying “I told my mum you were a nurse… she smiled bares,” and Lorenzo with his ‘two Ferrero Rochers after a night out’, it’s unmatched.

Old School Love Island was completely wild with Islanders getting hot ‘n’ heavy above the sheets, physical fights and unlimited drinks.

And one sizzling scene from this year’s show that echoes this is Elicia, Aidan and Finley’s raunchy three-way trip to the Hideaway.

It wasn’t even a challenge, but the horny Islanders looked desperate to lick each other from head-to-toe – and all without any producer-set-up games.

Aiden’s testerone-heady antics in particular earn him a place in the ‘Destiny’s Childish’ league, and love them or loathe them, the Murphy brothers have made an explosive impact.

It’s the first time ever two relations have gone into the villa without them both knowing the other would be there.

While Jess and Eve Gales were two former (twin) siblings to enter the villa they don’t hold a candle to Aidan and Kavan, who have been at the centre of some of the biggest storylines.

The brother’s rows over fake romances, Kavan cracking on with Charleen and breaking Jasmine’s heart, plus Aidan’s sly behaviour exposed at this week’s Grafties have had keyboard warriors furiously posting their commentary online.

Dumped Love Islander Charleen Murphy stirred the pot on Aftersun Credit: ITV Namibia caused chaos on the outside as she spoke out on podcasts Credit: YouTube

Perhaps the only downside to the pair is the ‘incestuous’ swapping, which near the beginning of the series left me heavily contemplating if it was safe to eat dinner while watching.

One nauseating scene that won’t be forgotten in a flash was Aidan and Kavan ‘sharing the same saliva’ after kissing Charleen one right after the other – ICK.

It’s not just inside the villa that has been serving up some unmissable moments.

Those loose-lipped axed Islanders can’t seem to keep their mouths shut post-show either, thanks to Aftersun and a plethora of podcast appearances – which I can only applaud.

Milking their five-minutes of fame, they’re the real gifts of this series as their unfiltered confessions spark new beef – and has even seen co-stars and producers exposed.

Several Islanders have already dubbed show super-fan Priya the “fakest” contestant on there, Namibia and Tina have been swiping online at each other after an awkward Aftersun instalment, and Mara revealed producer whispers in islander’s ears during Casa Amor – the kind of behind-the-scenes gossip fans like me live for.

Bombshell Mara claimed that Simba only brought her back to the main villa after meddling producers told him Angelista had recoupled.

While I’m not a huge fan of going to that extreme to steer a narrative, I can’t help but think bosses have been scrolling socials and finally listening to the people.

The snooze-fest Islanders have been quicky given the chop, and die-hard fans were rewarded when they brought back the incendiary Tweet challenge for the first time in seven years.

Viewers ate it up as the infamous Jaz/ Lorenzo affair – and subsequent shipping online – came to the surface.

The chaotic challenge then left Kavan and Jasmine’s romance in tatters as he announced he wanted a break – freeing him up for his filthy Casa antics.

Now with the final upon us, it really is exciting to know that those 50 big ones could end up in anyone’s pocket.

Unlike the years of clear favourites like Dani and Jack, Millie and Liam and Paige and Finn unsurprisingly claiming victory – this year’s final is a wide open race.

Public favourite Ellie left of her own accord, and while top hunk Lorenzo is well loved, partner Julia rubbed some viewers up the wrong way in last night’s Grafties … could it potentially cost them the crown?

No Islander has had a squeaky clean ride in 2026, with the final few villa days left (sob) really giving them a chance to seal their fate.

After four dreary years of sub-par Love Island, season 13 has been a welcome respite and one ITV should use as the blueprint for future series.