LOVE Island finalist Tyrique Hyde has left fans amazed with his 15-year friendship with a former show star.
Semi professional footballer Tyrique, 23, along with partner Ella Thomas, 23, came third in this week’s Love Island final – eventually won by Sammy Root, 22, and Jess Harding, also 22.
Love Island’s Tyrique Hyde has revealed his surprise ITV2 show pal
Tyrique and Toby Aromolaran are from the same area, same school’ with a friendship that is ’15 years deep’
Toby posted a throwback snap showing the pair topless – which delighted fans
The star eventually won fans over after the couple’s relationship progress was played out in front of Love Island viewers.
Yet Tyrique has a deeper connection to the ITV2 show – with a 15-year friendship with former alumni Toby Aromolaran, 24.
Toby, who starred in the 2021 matchmaking series, uploaded a pair of snaps showing the hunky duo as they are now – and as they were at school, more than a decade ago.
In his Instagram image caption he wrote: “Same area, same school, 15 years deep! Who would have thought.”
The schoolday snap saw the duo posing topless and flashing their abs, much to the delight of fans.
One wrote: “Tyrique’s really been fine his whole life loool.”
A second agreed and wrote: “Y’all been fine,” as a third commented: “The duo we never knew we needed.”
One added: “Not Ty being fine his whole life,” as another mused: “It makes sense lol they both have similar attitudes.”
A fan commented: “And u both ran ur season.”
Back in May we revealed the pair’s close friendship.
At the time, Tyrique revealed they were school friends in Essex and told ITV: “Toby Aromolaran is one of my best friends.
“We grew up together and were in the same class at school.”
Tyrique is a footballer like Toby and plays for Dartford.
Meanwhile during Ty’s time in the villa, Toby had his back.
Toby, who came second on the show with Chloe Burrows, exclusively told us the “real” reason behind Tyrique’s comments to Scott.
At the time, Ty had been branded a “bully” yet Toby insisted Ty did not “hate” rival co-star Scott, but in fact, wanted to give him “no bulls*** advice” because he had his best interests at heart.
Toby explained that some of his confrontations may appear “nasty” onscreen, but admitted he’s only being “upfront” and said it comes from a “place of love”.
Speaking exclusively to HOAR about Tyrique’s bullying accusation, Toby said: “I think those remarks are silly, number one, on a bullying thing, when I’m watching I’m seeing Ty with the Abi situation, I’m seeing he’s pushing Scott to chat to Abi because it’s the right thing to do.
“He likes Scott a lot, the fact that he’s chatting to him a lot.
“It’s one of those ones, where you care for your friend and you want the best for them, that’s what I’m seeing personally.”
Toby admitted the bullying row had been blown out of proportion, saying Tyrique valued Scott as a friend and was giving him advice, even though it might have come across as “nasty” to those at home.
Toby found fame in Love Island’s 2021 series
He recently had Ty’s back as he spoke out about ‘bullying’ claims centred on his pal
