Love Island history was made last night when Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan were crowned winners of the second-ever winter season. Not only are they the first Casa Amor couple to ride the wave of victory, but they are also the first POC pairing to claim the win in the show's eight-year span.
The champs - who have taken the crown from Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti - were 'shook' to have come out on top, with social worker Sanam saying, 'I can't believe it. I just want to thank every single person out there who has voted for us and supported us. If I could hug every single one of you I would. That's how much love I feel.'
Teacher Kai added, 'I can't comprehend it, it's mad. Thank you everybody that voted for us. Truly, I'm so thankful.'
Official voting statistics show that Kai, 24, and Sanam, also 24, received 44 per cent of the overall vote, with runners-up Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins securing 30 per cent. Third placers Tom Clare and Samie Elishi got just under a quarter of the vote at 24 per cent, with Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga in fourth place at 2 per cent.
Prior to the results being announced, one fan of the show tweeted that Kai and Sanam had the entire UK 'in a chokehold', adding, 'I’ve not seen the nation root for a couple this much in all of Love Island history.'
So what was it about Kai and Sanam that captured the public's hearts?
Well, it is fair to say that they were one of the newer couples to make it to the final, but if anything, this made viewers more invested in their 'genuine' blossoming romance. Kai was one of the originals to enter the South African villa, having previously been coupled up with Tanyel Revan and Olivia Hawkins. But it wasn't until Sanam entered as a bombshell during the Casa Amor stage that he found his perfect match, with many noting how she had brought out his personality.
'They literally have it all,' someone tweeted in support of them. 'The looks, the personality, the character, the vibes, the love and also a lovely family who made them the people they are today.'
Others believe their professions and desire to "make a difference" contributes to their compatibility. One believed they were so "well-matched" that they bet on them to win and are now £75 better off.
Despite season nine being done and dusted, fans are excited to see how the couple's journey will progress outside the villa.
'Congratulations Kai and Sanam. Well deserved winners. You both conducted yourselves in a polite and sophisticated manner. I wish you every success with your continuing life journey as a couple,' was just one of many tweets offering their well wishes.