LOVE Island star Mal Nichol has said she refused to cry over leaving Sammy Root in the villa after she was brutally dumped following a public vote.
The bombshell revealed the real reason for their awkward goodbye in her Love Island exit interview.
Love Island’s Mal, left, received the fewest public votes and was booted from the vila
Mal with the girls before leaving the villa
The couple were torn apart by the shock public vote
She said: “That connection with Sammy was just so innocent and pure, it was lovely. Short, obviously.
“From the moment I first met him to the last night, we had a very mature conversation. He’s grown so much. The most amazing thing to see in a person is growth.
“But It would be so weird if I was crying about Sammy, as I just met him. I met him last week. It would be bizarre if I was crying.
Mal even admitted that she would understand if Sammy, 22, wanted to move on with another Islander.
“I genuinely did really like him and it could have gone somewhere but we’ll never know,” she continued.
“He’s there to find a connection and I’m happy if he’s happy.”
Sammy, meanwhile, admitted he was gutted to see her go.
He told the Beach Hut after they said their goodbyes: “There was definitely something special between us.
“And it’s going to feel very different without her.”
Original Love Islander Mehdi Edno was also booted from the villa on Tuesday night after failing to secure enough public votes.
And the news was a huge shock to the other islanders, who are still coming to terms with Molly Marsh’s exit.
Fans struggled to believe the shocking twist – but she has since been pictured back in the UK and she appeared on Aftersun on Sunday night.
However, viewers had hoped Mehdi would get the boot, after he upset Whitney in the heart rate challenge.
Despite the backlash, Mehdi has revealed he had true feelings for Whitney, and hehinted he will wait for her on the outside.
He said in his Love Island exit: “I did want to explore a connection with Leah, but I was always drawn back to Whitney.
“I feel like I could’ve found love with Whitney, so it’s to be continued on that one.”
Reflecting further on their time together, he added: “I’d say it was great. We had ups and downs but if we focus on the ups they were so good.
“Obviously it’s hard for me to leave now as we had something good going on but I’m hopeful we can make things work, for now she needs to live her experience to the fullest.”
Love Island continues at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
Original Love Island Mehdi Edno was booted from the villa on Tuesday night
