Love Island’s Elma Pazar: ‘Molly-Mae Isn’t In It For The Money – She Really Likes Tommy’

Ex-islander Elma Pazar has defended influencer Molly-Mae Hague, after she was accused of competing on Love Island for the cash. During last night's challenge Online Buzz, a tweet was read out which stated the Instagram model was more interested in the £50k prize money than a relationship with her partnerTommy Fury. Molly made it clear throughout the episode that she wasn’t happy about being labelled a 'money grabber' - and Elma has backed her up, saying that her feelings towards the boxer are real.

‘I think they all are in there for genuine reasons,’ Elma told Grazia Online. ‘I mean I lived with Molly-Mae so I know that isn’t the case for her, she’s a lovely girl and I do believe she does really like Tommy. I think everyone’s in there for the right reasons, it seems that way so far. The couples are solid as of now - but obviously it’ll be scary to see what’s going to happen tonight.’ (One couple is set to be evicted tonight, and bosses will finally tease the arrival of 12 new Islanders in the return of twist Casa Amor.)

The 26-year-old has also defended the age range on the series - and said that, despite today's headlines, she didn’t lie and say she was 23 to get on the show. ‘It’s not so much a lie,’ the reality star said. ‘I didn’t lie to anyone! Obviously everyone knows that I’m 26. It’s obvious to everyone. It’s just a joke. I say to my friends I’m 23, because 23 was my best year; 23 was the age I found myself, it was my best year and I’ve just stuck at it. It’s not like I’m hiding I’m 26.’

The average age of the 19 contestants who have entered the villa so far this series has been 24. Model Tom Walker is the oldest at 29, while Tommy, Molly and Amber are all 20. But when asked if she felt there was a pressure to appear younger on the show, Elma said, ‘It’s not like I’m the oldest; 26 is like smack bang in the middle, there’s girls in there older than me, like, 28 in there. And it’s brilliant.’ She also said age doesn’t make a difference in the couplings, insisting, ‘I don’t think the age gap makes a difference, when you’re in there you don’t think so and so’s this or that age. I think you just see if you’ve got a connection in the villa.’

Elma also says she hopes ex-show partner Anton - who is currently in a friendship couple with Lucie - finds love in the villa. ‘He’s an absolute dream,' she added. 'I really do hope he finds love in the villa.'

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