Love Island UK 2026 final sparks same complaint from furious viewers

Love Island producers opted to shake up the schedule of this year's grand finale, much to the dismay of many long-time fans.

For the last 10 years, the last episode of the season has been dedicated to showing series finalists being whisked out of the villa for flashy final dates.

Whether that be a picnic on a vineyard like Millie Court and Liam Reardon's in 2021, a candlelit seaside dinner like Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti's in 2022, or sipping champagne aboard a luxury yacht like Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea did in 2019, the episode has always honed in on showing the four final couples enjoying one another's company for the final time.

The dates have also traditionally seen finalists exchange heartfelt speeches, tell one another they are falling in love, or even make their relationships exclusive before returning to the villa for one last evening.

No dates featured in this year's final (ITV)

This all airs prior to a live segment, during which the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st place couples are announced.

This year, however, Simba Kudyiwa and Angelista Gunda, Lorenzo Alessi and Julia Majchrzak, and Kavan Murphy and Jasmine Muller featured in the live segment - hosted by presenter Maya Jama - only.

That's right, no gushy vows, no making one another exclusive at the last minute, and no more locking lips.

Instead, much of the finale was dedicated to catching up with this year's dumped Islanders, who returned to watch the final unfold from the audience. Host Maya Jama spent a significant portion of the live show chatting to former contestants about their time in the villa, standout moments from the series and what life has been like since leaving. While the reunions offered viewers an update on the ex-Islanders, many fans felt the increased focus came at the expense of the finalists themselves, who were given far less screen time together than in previous years.

The episode focussed on past islanders (ITV)

The finalists went straight from villa life into the live show, leaving many viewers feeling as though one of the programme's biggest traditions had been scrapped altogether.

And the change to the long-awaited final has not escaped the notice of a number of viewers.

One X user hit out: "#LoveislandUK so no final dates just nonesense."

Another added: "this is such an abomination of a final not one single date between the 3 of them #loveisland."

"i genuinely thought the final was tomorrow bc of how we’ve had nothing, no final dates, no baby challenge, nothing #loveisland," a third continued.

A fourth complained: "The final feels so rushed this year. No dates, no speeches, no real goodbye to the villa. #LoveIsland."

While another questioned: "The final dates are literally one of my favourite episodes every year. Why would they get rid of them? #LoveIsland."

More to follow.