This year’s Love Island winners have split – just two months after receiving prize money worth £50,000.

Sammy Root from Kent and Jess Harding were voted top by the public on ITV2’s hit show earlier this year.

The 22-year-old joined the cast as a bombshell and described himself as “a catch” who is “quite easy on the eye”.

He set his sights on aesthetics practitioner Jess Harding, but was unfaithful to her during the test of Casa Amor.

Viewers watched all the highs and lows of their relationship throughout season 10 of the show.

Despite this, they were crowned the winners by presenter Maya Jama during the live final on Monday, July 31.

The MailOnline now reports that a source close to the pair says they have decided to “call it quits” and have “realised they're better off as friends”.

Sammy, who is thought to be from Dartford, took to social media to address the recent news.

He said: “Yes we had a private conversation regarding our relationship but this was left up in the air as Jess is still away and we haven't had a chance to speak in person.

“For me to then see today via the media that we had officially broken up came as a total shock.

“To be totally clear – I at least wanted a face to face conversation to see if our relationship could be saved and felt this would be the respectful way forward.

“We had the most incredible experience winning Love Island and I genuinely saw a future with Jess.

“I was committed and respectful to our relationship. Unfortunately things don't always work out the way you'd hoped.

“Despite how this has all played out today, I think Jess is an amazing woman and genuinely wish her all the best.”

The 2023 winners are not the first couple to split after the show ended.

Ella Barnes from Ashford and her partner Mitch Taylor decided to part ways at the end of August, due to the pair living at opposite ends of the country.

“I really wanted things to work out and I’m gutted that our journey has come to an end,” she wrote on Instagram.

“I wish Mitch all the best and hope he finds his happiness. It is time for both of us to start a new chapter.”