There was no shortage of drama during Friday night’s episode of Love Island with things hitting the rocks for power couple Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins.
Despite assuring Lana that he was going to shut things down with new bombshell Ellie Spence, Ron then decided to get to know her.
However, Lana insisted that she didn’t want to be part of any love triangle and took a step back from her romance with Ron, and was later seen getting to know Spencer.
Trouble brewing? There was no shortage of drama during Friday night’s episode of Love Island with things hitting the rocks for power couple Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins
Elsewhere, Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown and Olivia Hawkins’s rivalry reached new heights as they once again clashed during a game of dares.
Zara described Olivia as the ‘least trustworthy’ Islander, while Olivia picked Tom to kiss during one challenge.
With the tension mounting, MailOnline is here to answer your every question about what is going on in the villa…
Clashes: Elsewhere, Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown and Olivia Hawkins’s rivalry reached new heights as they once again clashed during a game of dares
TROUBLE IN PARADISE FOR RON AND LANA?
Ron confirmed to Lana that he sees a real future with her as he decided to ‘end things’ with bombshell Ellie.
However, things quickly hit the rocks for the pair as he later changed his mind and admitted that he needed to get to know Ellie to confirm what they had was ‘real’.
In a chat with Lana, the financial advisor, 25, said he ‘wanted to be selfish’ and focus just on the makeup artist, also 25, and said he didn’t believe Ellie had a chance of ‘swaying him’.
Mixed signals: Ron confirmed to Lana that he sees a real future with her as he decided to ‘end things’ with bombshell Ellie
Lana urged him not to feel ‘forced’ to do anything, but Ron insisted that he didn’t think Ellie would beat what they currently have.
He told her: ‘I want to be respectful, but I also want to be selfish. Carry on with us… I don’t think she has a chance of swaying me.
‘I think I’m gonna do something mad and dead it tonight. I just want to, I feel like we are too good.
‘When I spend time with you there’s no way she’s ever going to touch this.’
Getting to know each other: However, things quickly hit the rocks as he later changed his mind and admitted that he needed to get to know Ellie to confirm what they had was ‘real’
Lana is currently coupled up in a friendship pairing with Aussie Aaron Waters, while Ron was stolen by new bombshell Ellie on her arrival, who said he ‘hadn’t met his match yet’.
And Ellie has certainly stirred things up, as Ron later told her that he did in fact want to get to know her, despite telling Lana he would ‘dead’ things with her.
‘I need to at least give this a chance to see if it is better than what I have with Lana,’ he told her as they had a private chat.
‘She’s not my girlfriend, I’m not going to wife myself off,’ he added.
Close: In a chat with Lana, the financial advisor, 25, said he ‘wanted to be selfish’ and focus just on the makeup artist, also 25, and said he didn’t believe Ellie had a chance of ‘swaying him’
Ellie then asked him if he had told Lana that he planned to get to know her, to which he said: ‘Yes I’ve made her aware of the situation, I know it’s going to be hard for her.
‘I’ve got to tread carefully but at the same time I’ve got to be selfish and do what I’m going to do.’
He added: ‘I’m not going to be some sly dog who is going to say one thing to you and one to her. I don’t know why people can’t be transparent, because people are going to find out.’
Ron then went back to clear the air with Lana, saying that he planned to get to know Ellie to ‘confirm’ what they have together.
Bombshell: Ellie has certainly stirred things up, as Ron later told her that he did in fact want to get to know her, despite telling Lana he would ‘dead’ things with her
He told her: ‘I said to Ellie, I’m going to give you the respect and not bin you off. I’m still going to talk to her and whatever and just, I know how I feel with you.
‘I know I’ve said it but I really like you. If I come back to you after this, then I know that everything I’m feeling right now is dead serious.’
However, Lana said she didn’t want to be involved in any love triangle and said she planned to take a step back while he figures out what he wants.
She said: ‘I’m taking a step back now, seriously. I don’t want to be part of it, so that’s that.
Chatting: Ron then went back to clear the air with Lana, saying that he planned to get to know Ellie to ‘confirm’ what they have together
‘I’m not doing this kissing and affectionate thing when you are cracking on with someone else, so don’t expect me too. I’m not getting involved in a trio thing, I’m not second best, I’m best.’
‘I haven’t felt like this before and it does scare me. I want complete confirmation of it,’ Ron replied.
To which Lana said: ‘You can’t have the best of both worlds, so that’s me out for now.’
Going to speak to the boys, Ron admitted that he had ‘f**ked it’ and said he would have to ‘win’ Lana back after getting to know Ellie.
Stepping back: However, Lana said she didn’t want to be involved in any love triangle and said she planned to take a step back while he figures out what he wants
‘I’ve just f**ked it really. I said to Lana that I feel like I need to speak to Ellie and see if it will change anything,’ he said.
While Lana told the girls: ‘I get too kind and then they just walk all over me, do you know what I mean? I’m glad I said it and stood up for myself, I’m never going to be the second option.’
The next morning, Shaq admitted that he didn’t agree with Ron doing a full ‘360’ after telling Lana that he would shut things off with Ellie.
Shaq told him: ‘I don’t agree with what you’re saying. You’ve gone to her, said I’m investing 100 per cent of my energy into you, it’s going to take a lot for my head to turn, you said you were going to cut things off with Ellie. Then you’ve done a full 360.’
Messed up: Going to speak to the boys, Ron admitted that he had ‘f**ked it’ and said he would have to ‘win’ Lana back after getting to know Ellie
IS TOM’S HEAD TURNING?
Zara was seen catching up with new bombshell Spencer, while Tom also had a chat with newcomer Ellie.
Zara, who is currently coupled up with Tom, insisted that her head is still with Tom, gushing to Spencer about their romance.
‘I’m with Tom at the moment, I’ve never been this smitten, this close with someone this early,’ Zara said.
Newbies: Zara was seen catching up with new bombshell Spencer, while Tom also had a chat with newcomer Ellie
However, it looked like there could be another love triangle on the cards as Tom confessed that he finds new bombshell Ellie attractive.
As they chatted privately, Tom assured Ellie that he does want to get to know her, insisting that he is not ‘exclusive’ with Zara.
‘I ain’t exclusive, do you know what I mean,’ he said when Ellie asked him how to felt about Zara and Spencer talking.
When Tom said he wasn’t ‘bothered’ by it, Ellie replied: ‘That’s a bit of a red flag.’
Flirting: However, it looked like there could be another love triangle on the cards as Tom confessed that he finds new bombshell Ellie attractive
But Tom hit back with: ‘She’s not my girl, how much do you fancy me?’
A flirty Ellie then referenced Zara’s row with Olivia, saying: ‘You’ve really surprised me, you’re so funny and we just get each other’s banter. I thought after the drama you’d be like no.’
But Tom insisted that he is interesting in getting to know her and told Ellie to be ‘honest’ about it if Zara asked her about it.
‘Zara makes out like you are solid,’ Ellie said.
To which Tom said: ‘I’m only in here once and you’re fit. I want to get to know you 100 per cent.’
Upset: Tom and Zara then caught up, with Zara becoming tearful as she told him he should have pulled her for a chat
Zara was then seen catching up with Tanyel and fuming that she doesn’t want any ‘mixed signals’ from him.
‘I don’t need mixed signals, I don’t need any doubt. I don’t think I should be allowing it in here,’ she said.
But Tanyel told her that she had ‘nothing to worry about’ as she reassured her friend about the situation.
Tom and Zara then caught up, with Zara becoming tearful as she told him he should have pulled her for a chat.
Tearful: Tom went on to say that they are not ‘exclusive’ as Zara became tearful, but she said she wanted him to work on his communication
‘I haven’t had a chance to speak to you though,’ Tom hit back with, insisting they are in a ‘good place’.
Tom went on to say that they are not ‘exclusive’ as Zara became tearful, but she said she wanted him to work on his communication.
‘I do think it’s important for us to catch-up, especially when bombshells come in,’ she said, as Tom promised to do just that and they kissed and made-up.
THE HIDEAWAY OPENS
And for the first time this season, the Hideaway Retreat opened for one lucky couple to have a ‘luxury night away’.
The retreat is complete with candles and a plunge pool, providing quite the luxury getaway for one couple.
Cheeky! And for the first time this season, the Hideaway Retreat opened for one lucky couple to have a ‘luxury night away’
‘Islanders, The Hideaway Retreat is open tonight, please choose a lucky couple to spend a luxury night away #NightAwayWithBae,’ the text read.
And it was Shaq and Tanya who were chosen to have some one-on-one time in the lavish retreat, after Shaq said he could see himself ‘falling in love with her’.
They have been coupled up from day one and have continued to go from strength to strength in the villa.
Upon entering the Hideaway, Tanya and Shaq were left laughing as they found a wardrobe filled with lingerie and even handcuffs.
Steamy: And it was Shaq and Tanya who were chosen to have some one-on-one time in the lavish retreat, after Shaq said he could see himself ‘falling in love with her’
Things quickly heated up for the couple and they were seen spending some quality alone time together in the Hideaway.
As they woke up beside each other the next morning, Tanya told Shaq: ‘Being in here, makes you see like what it’s going to be like on the outside.’
To which Shaq responded: ‘I’m here for it!’
The couple then debriefed separately with the girls and boys, with Tanya joking that they ‘got down and dirty’ in a cheeky comment – before confessing they had had sex.
Heating up: Things quickly heated up for the couple and they were seen spending some quality alone time together in the Hideaway
ELLIE AND RON HEAD ON A FIRST DATE
And it looked like things could hit the rocks with Ron and Lana, as the Islanders got a text saying Ron and Ellie would be going on a date.
The pair then headed out to the treehouse to enjoy some drinks and spend some time chatting one-on-one.
‘I obviously find you attractive,’ Ron told Ellie as they got flirty on the date, with Ellie admitting that she finds him ‘handsome’.
Date: And it looked like things could hit the rocks with Ron and Lana, as the Islanders got a text saying Ron and Ellie would be going on a date
‘I’ll give you some pillow talk tonight, not too much, but a bit,’ a cheeky Ron then said.
Ellie asked Ron whether he had made a decision on what he wanted to do, but he remained non-committal on his decision between her and Lana.
However, after getting back from the date, Ron told the boys that he didn’t think there was a spark with Ellie.
‘We got to know each other a bit, found out a bit more about her and stuff. I’ll be honest mate, it’s just not there,’ he said.
Flirty: The pair then headed out to the treehouse to enjoy some drinks and spend some time chatting one-on-one
‘She’s firing a lot of digs and me and Lana,’ he added.
Meanwhile, Ellie told the girls: ‘He basically still just said he doesn’t want to make rash decisions. We didn’t end it and he was giving a definitive answer.’
Speaking in the Beach Hut, Ron then said there was nothing ‘special’ about their date, as he seemed to be swaying back towards Lana.
‘The date was fine/good, but that’s it. It wasn’t special,’ he said.
‘If the chat is a bit null and void as it was there, then I’ll say look I’m not feeling the spark.’
Decision time: Ellie asked Ron whether he had made a decision on what he wanted to do, but he remained non-committal on his decision between her and Lana
SPENCER AND OLIVIA HEAD ON THEIR FIRST DATE
Next up to head to the treehouse was Spencer and Olivia, who coupled up when the new bombshell entered the villa.
Spencer picked Olivia to couple up with after Haris was dumped from the villa, and Zara stole Tom from her in a previous re-coupling.
On their first date, Olivia admitted that she wanted to see more of his deeper side, to which Spencer replied: ‘I have to trust someone and know someone to be like that.’
Quality time: Next up to head to the treehouse was Spencer and Olivia, who coupled up when the new bombshell entered the villa
He added: ‘I feel a lot closer with you than I have with other girls. I feel I’ve known you a lot longer than a day.’
To which Olivia replied: ‘I think you’re very straight up and honest.’
Spencer then asked Olivia if she would have picked him in the last re-coupling if the decision had been in her hands.
To which she replied: ‘I would have picked you, obviously before I would have picked Tom but off his actions recently, I wouldn’t have picked him.’
New connections? Spencer picked Olivia to couple up with after Haris was dumped from the villa, and Zara stole Tom from her in a previous re-coupling
RON SHUTS THINGS DOWN WITH ELLIE… AND LANA GETS TO KNOW SPENCER
Ron grabbed Ellie for a catch-up after their date and finally shut things down, admitting his head was still with Lana.
He said: ‘I obviously want to chat to you after our date and just have a conversation about how it went and stuff and where I’m at with things.
‘For me, it was nice for you to pick me out of everyone after everything you’ve seen, I wanted to see if there was something better than me and Lana.
Shutting things down: Ron grabbed Ellie for a catch-up after their date and finally shut things down, admitting his head was still with Lana
‘I feel like after the date we’ve had, there isn’t a major spark with us that will change the way I feel about Lana. I do care for the girl.’
To which Ellie said: ‘I feel like if you gravitate back to somebody, just do that.’
And Ron confirmed: ‘If I’m going to make her my priority, that’s what I need to do.’
However, Spencer then grabbed Lana for a chat and admitted he was most attracted to her and Olivia in the villa, before asking her whether she was ‘closed off’.
Open? However, Spencer then grabbed Lana for a chat and admitted he was most attracted to her and Olivia in the villa, before asking her whether she was ‘closed off’
To which she responded: ‘I know that I like Ron, but I’m not closed off. You’re a really nice guy and I am open to getting to know you.’
Speaking in the Beach Hut, she added: ‘It won’t do any harm to see that another guy has taken an interest in me, I think he’s a bit jealous, but so he would be.’
Ron then pulled Lana for a chat where he admitted that he had ‘f**ked up’ by not being upfront with her and told her that he wanted to focus on her.
He said: ‘I’ve spoken to [Ellie] and had conversations with her, I don’t regret getting to know her, I needed it, but it didn’t feel right. You are on my mind all the time, you are my priority. I haven’t felt like this in a long time, if ever.’
Jealousy: Speaking in the Beach Hut, Lana said: ‘It won’t do any harm to see that another guy has taken an interest in me, I think he’s a bit jealous, but so he would be’
But Lana admitted that the situation had made her ‘more open’ as she shared her plans to get to know Spencer.
She said: ‘You just need to be straight about things and stop beating around the bush about it.
‘If you’re getting to know someone, you need to tell me. From this, I’m more open as well, I’m not closed.
‘I’ve spoken to Spencer tonight, and I’m open to get to know him. But I’ve said you’re my number one priority in here.’
Back together? Ron then pulled Lana for a chat where he admitted that he had ‘f**ked up’ by not being upfront with her and told her that he wanted to focus on her
Open: But Lana admitted that the situation had made her ‘more open’ as she shared her plans to get to know Spencer
CHEEKY DARES
In the evening, things got a little steamy in the villa as the Islanders played a game of dares in one of the raciest episodes yet.
And the game saw the rivalry heat up between Olivia and Zara as the pair once again came into conflict during the dramatic day.
Olivia was first dared to snog two of her co-stars she’s most attracted to and decided to pick Tom and Spencer for a kiss.
Racy: In the evening, things got a little steamy in the villa as the Islanders played a game of dares in one of the raciest episodes yet
It comes after Olivia has previously come into conflict with Zara Lackenby-Brown over flirting with Tom, who the latter is currently coupled up with.
New bombshell Spencer was then dared to snog the three girls he thinks are the sexiest in the villa, choosing Tanyel, Lana and Olivia.
Tanya then said that Will gives her ‘the ick’ because he ‘roars’, while Ellie then kissed Tom, who she deemed to be the ‘fittest’ Islander.
Smooch: Olivia was dared to snog two of her co-stars she’s most attracted to and decided to pick Tom and Spencer for a kiss
Rivalry: Lana then said the couple who had the most potential were Tanya and Shaq, before saying Zara and Tom had the least potential
Lana then said the couple who had the most potential were Tanya and Shaq, before saying Zara and Tom had the least potential.
Olivia claimed her family would want her to couple up with Tom because he is ‘respectful’ and said her ‘mum would love him’, with Zara looking unimpressed as tensions continue to rise between the pair.
‘Tom has never really left my mind,’ Olivia admitted in the Beach Hut.
Zara then kissed Lana, who she deemed to be the most trustworthy, before describing Olivia as the least trustworthy as the pair once again came into conflict.
Awkward! Zara then kissed Lana, who she deemed to be the most trustworthy, before describing Olivia as the least trustworthy as the pair once again came into conflict
Tom then had to name the three Islanders that would make up his most ideal partner, choosing Olivia for face, Zara for body and Lana for personality.
It is not the first time that Olivia and Zara have come into conflict during a challenge, as Zara previously branded Olivia as ‘two-faced’ during a game of beer pong.
MORE DRAMA FOR ZARA
The drama-filled episode came to tense close, as things look set to get even worse between Zara and Olivia during Sunday’s episode.
Raging: The drama-filled episode came to tense close, as things look set to get even worse between Zara and Olivia during Sunday’s episode
Upset: Zara could be heard raging to the other girls that Tom, who she is coupled up with, had been picked by the majority of the girls in the dares game
Zara could be heard raging to the other girls that Tom, who she is coupled up with, had been picked by the majority of the girls in the dares game.
Despite her friends trying to reassure her, Zara became angrier and fumed over Tom, while things also look set to get tenser between her and Olivia.
She said: ‘I came down tonight for no drama and you gave me the drama, if you don’t like me, move from me!’
LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Tanya Manhenga
Name: Tanya Manhenga
Age: 22
Location: Liverpool
Occupation: Student and model
Something not many people know about her: ‘I have Vitiligo, which is a skin pigmentation, you may not even notice it.’
‘It’s on my lip and I have a stripe on my hair. Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute.’
‘I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe.’
Lana Jenkins
Name: Lana Jenkins
Age: 25
Location: Luton
Occupation: Makeup artist
Something not many people know about her: ‘In my work as a makeup artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities.
‘Also, when I was 6-years-old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.’
Tanyel Revan
Name: Tanyel Revan
Age: 26
Location: North London
Occupation: Hair stylist
Something not many people know about her: ‘My celebrity crush is Channing Tatum – I don’t like pretty boys, they give me the ‘ick’ because they always have a crap personality.’
‘Channing Tatum is handsome but not too pretty. He’s manly and he can dance.’
‘If a man can dance I’m in love with him straight away.’
Olivia Hawkins
Name: Olivia Hawkins
Age: 27
Location: Brighton
Occupation: Ring girl and actress
Something not many people know about her: ‘I did a film with Jason Statham and had a nice 10-minute convo about life.’
‘I’ve been a ring girl for KSI, I played a waitress in James Bond with Daniel Craig and I’ve also been a body double for Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson.’
Tom Clare
Name: Tom Clare
Age: 23
Location: Barnsley
Occupation: Semi-Pro Footballer
Something not many people know about him: I’m a High School Musical fan
Aaron Waters
Name: Aaron Waters
Age: 25
Location: Melbourne
Occupation: Model
Something not many people know about him: He thinks his appearance on Love Island UK was ‘diving timing’
Ellie Spence
Name: Ellie Spence
Age: 25
Location: Norwich
Occupation: Business Development Executive at a law firm
Something not many people know about her: “When I was drunk I climbed over the gates of my friend’s house, fell and almost lost my leg.”
Kai Fagan
Name: Kai Fagan
Age: 24
Location: Manchester
Occupation: Science and PE teacher
Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a Jamaican citizen. Because of that I played rugby 7s for Jamaica.’
‘I play semi-professional rugby now for Burnage RFC.’
‘I’ve technically got three different degrees and went to three different unis.’
Ron Hall
Name: Ron Hall
Age: 25
Location: Essex
Occupation: Financial advisor
Something not many people know about him: ‘On meeting me, you’d never know I am blind in one eye.’
‘It was the result of a football injury when I was 8. I’ve got two different coloured eyes, one blue and one green.’
Will Young
Name: Will Young
Age: 23
Location: Buckinghamshire
Occupation: Farmer
Something not many people know about him: ‘Every night I light a candle and meditate for 20-25 minutes.’
‘A girl I was seeing told me to meditate, I tried it and loved it. I stopped seeing her and carried on meditating!
‘It’s a nice way to self reflect.’
Shaq Muhammad
Name: Shaq Muhammad
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: Airport security officer
Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse.’
‘Every time I watch Dear John I cry.
That’s my favourite film. Any time I’m with someone and they say, ‘Let’s watch a romantic film’, I’m like, ‘How about Dear John, how does that sound?’
Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown
Name: Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown
Age: 25
Location: London
Occupation: Model and property developer
Something not many people know about her: ‘I’ve gone onto do lots of modelling and dancing for music videos for UK and global artists, I’ve worked with people like Hardy Caprio, Headie One, Aitch, Tione Wayne and more.’
Jessie Wynter
Name: Jessie Wynter
Age: 26
Location: Sydney
Occupation: Personal Trainer
Something you may not know about her: She was on series two of Love Island Australia
Spencer Wilks
Name: Spencer Wilks
Age: 24
Location: Bournemouth
Occupation: E-Commerce Business Owner
Something not many people know about him: He loves Justin Bieber