While love (island) is in the air this winter with season 6 of ITV2’s flagship dating show bewitching the nation six nights a week, there exists no statute of limitations on drama from past iterations. As such, recent developments in the trajectories of Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham have made headlines: perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s life outside the villa walls that holds the real excitement.
The show’s most golden of golden couples won hearts (ours and each others’) in the 2018 series. Following their (very public) split in April 2019, we’d resigned ourselves to Jani-less existences. That was OK, because what felt like a million new islanders had already trooped in and out again to fill their void. Little did we know – and we weren’t the only people in the dark, though I’ll get to that – that some far more significant Life Stuff was about to hit.
Off the scale compared to recouplings or bikini comparisons, Jack had a baby, nine months after breaking up with Dani. And according to a Radio 2 interview, she only found out through his public Instagram post announcing Baby Blossom. Yikes.
So: Blossom’s mum is Jack’s long-term friend Casey Ranger. He’s been clear about their relationship, explaining that a platonic arrangement is best while they ‘figure out’ co-parenting their little girl. While navigating night feeds and nap regimes, Jack revealed that he’s had congratulatory messages from all the islanders with whom he shared the 2018 villa. Speaking to the Sun, he said 'It's been incredible. Every single member of Love Island has been in touch. Dr Alex texted me, saying he kept welling up about the news, and I've had loads of mums come and say nice things’. And Dani? 'We haven't messaged at all.'
While Dyer and her representatives have been quick to point out that she congratulated Jack very publicly indeed - over national radio and on the day he announced he was a father - I’d just like to take this opportunity to ask an ostensibly simple question: why on earth should she feel obliged to wish him anything, well or otherwise?
I mean, let’s not start cursing our happy exes. But I can certainly imagine resenting the implication that I was the one at fault for not sending a basket of muffins or whatever when someone who broke my heart had lovely news to share about how well they were doing without me. You know? Or if the girl who got the job I wanted was given a promotion, and was mad I didn’t make a speech? Or, or, or. As Jack says, the world and its wife is piling in to express their heartfelt good wishes. And while he hasn’t complained about Dani’s supposed silence per se, the inference that she’s remiss seems a little rich. I’m not Jack’s significant ex, so I can extend a very sincere congratulations indeed; but I consider Dani’s radio announcement more than enough and, actually, beyond the call of duty.
READ MORE: Dani Dyer Thinks The Government Will Use Tap Water To Kill Us All, Which Is Interesting
READ MORE: Love Island Beauty 2020
Love Island 2020 Beauty
1 of 12Sophie's Statement Lip
Oh we're all for this look. Sleek hair, red lips and a black blazer - that's a look that's never going to go out of style. The key? Concentrating on the perfect red lip application (dab on with your fingers in light layers, building up colour as you go, or start with a liner and fill in the middle with your lippy and a brush) along with keeping the rest of your make-up looking minimal.
2 of 12Leann'e Orange Shadow
Use your fingertips or a small shadow blending brush to add. dot of orange eye shadow to the inner corners of each eye like Leanne to turn your daytime make-up look into a statement-maker.
3 of 12Shaughna's Hollywood Waves
Oh Shaughna, those waves!!! They belong on a red carpet. Keen to copy? Make a grab for a large tong or wand and curl large sections away from your face, making sure you leave them to cool thoroughly before brushing out gently.
4 of 12Leanne's Lashes Though
Would you look at those beauties?! These are occasion wear lashes and then some. Ever been afraid of going a bit OTT with length and volume? Leanne is proof it can work if you the rest of your look is pretty low key.
5 of 12Paige's Subtle Glow
Add a touch of honey coloured highlighter to the tops of your cheeks to emulate Paige's glow.
6 of 12Jess' Barely There Holiday Look
The 'no make-up make-up' look is back with a vengeance here and you can bet she'll be sporting it on the island too. Reach for your favourite base, a bit of bronzer, and you're away.
7 of 12Sophie's Colour Pop Shadow
It seems orange eye shadow is having a bit of a moment! Use a small soft blending brush to shade on a single shade, building up the layers for a powerful pigment pay off.
8 of 12Siânnise's Smokey Eye
Ordinarily we'd say no smokey eye is complete without a bit of liner but Siânnise proves us all wrong! We love the soft shading of these chocolate eye shadow tones, paired with just a slick or two of mascara.
9 of 12Shaughna's Slicked Back Look
She's gone from Hollywood waves to a sleek slicked back do, proving just how versatile this islander's beauty game is. If you've got a decent pair of straighteners in your arsenal, a bit of serum and a little hair gel, this look is yours for the taking.
10 of 12Sophie's Cat Eye Flick
This cat eye flick is bold and beautiful. To copy it yourself, use a liner brush and a bit of shadow to get your perfect shape, before going in with the liner. This will give your flick a diffused look like Sophie's and hide any tiny mistakes too - winner.
11 of 12Siânnise's Sleek Down Do
We're here for Siânnise's glossy sleek look here. To emulate it, straighten your hair before giving it a sharp parting with a comb, tucking each side section behind your ears, and fixing in place by gently brushing through with a soft brush that has been sprayed with a medium hold hairspray.
12 of 12Eve's Berry Lip
A berry lip is very on trend right now, as, it would seem, Love Island's Eve knows all too well. Apply a couple of layers of your favourite shade, and dab a touch of gloss over the top to copy this islander's look.