Love Island’s Sammy speaks for the first time about split with Jess – before cosying up to another ex Islander
LOVE Island winner Sammy Root has opened up about his “tough” split with Jess Harding – while being comforted by Abi Moores.
Sammy, 22, was spotted sharing his heartache with the Love Island bombshell on Thursday night, just 48 hours after his breakup was confirmed.
With Jess thousands of miles away in Ibiza, Sammy told The Sun Online he was planning on having “fun” after turning up to Thorpe Park’s Fright Nights 2023 launch event without her.
And Abi just happened to be on hand to join him.
Speaking at the event in Surrey, Sammy told The Sun Online: “It’s been a really tough week.
“I can’t really speak about the split but everyone just keeps asking me questions.
“I just want to have a fun night and try and enjoy myself.”
Minutes later, Sammy was seen talking to Abi as they sipped on drinks from the bar.
They were joined by fellow Love Island alumni Tom Clare, Casey O’Gorman and Joseph Garratt.
Sammy later braved Thorpe Park’s fastest thrill ride Stealth – a 205ft high rollercoaster that travels from 0-80mph in less than two seconds – with Abi watching.
Once he got off, the 25-year-old flight attendant rushed up to Sammy and asked: “Oh my God, are you alright?!”
Sammy and Jess scooped £50,000 after winning Love Island in August.
However, on Monday news broke that they have split.
Jess was thought to be telling people they are “better off as friends”, while sources close to Sammy say he has felt “blindsided”.
An insider told us: “Sammy feels blindsided by the entire situation.
“He hasn’t had any time to process Jess’ decision privately and she didn’t even give him the respect to speak face-to-face about her decision to end the relationship.
“Sammy was absolutely under the impression they could work things out once seeing each other in person again.
“He is completely gutted about the split.”
Jess and Sammy beat Love Island 2023 fan favourites Whitney Adebayo and Lochan Nowacki to the £50,000 prize.