This is regularly done on reality TV shows for multiple reasons, including to stop the contestants from going rogue and spoiling the ending, and to shield them from harsh fan messages that may land in their inboxes.
However, while the on-screen drama has wrapped with the finale airing on Monday, December 15th, the post-show chaos is about to kick off online, as the Islanders are getting control of their social media accounts back very soon.
The Love Island cast in Spain after the finale. Image: Reddit.
When will the Love Island Australia 2025 cast regain access to their social media accounts?
During an appearance on the show’s official podcast Love Island Australia Officially Unpacked, Yana spilt the beans on when the cast will be able to access their social media again, confirming it’s today, December 18th!
When asked by host Eoghan McDermott how life’s been without access to social media, Jaide said that she welcomed the break.
“I personally loved it. I think it’s a good escape from all of the noise. We see everything online, and I feel like having our Instagrams on top of that as well, while the show is airing, I feel like it just would have been a lot. So, I’ve enjoyed this little break, but I’m excited to get it back for sure.”
Ross and Sharn taking a selfie in the villa. Image: Nine.
Did any of the Islanders get their social media accounts back earlier?
While the Love Island Australia finalists are yet to post anything online post-finale, it appears some of the cast who were eliminated earlier have already regained access.
On Tuesday, December 16th, Lacey went on an IG posting spree and spilled some tea about her time on the show.
During an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Instagram, she confirmed that the phones the Islanders used in the villa were offline, and that the cast had their social media accounts taken over by production.
“We didn’t have our phones in the villa. We only had the villa phones to receive texts and take pics. And yes, during the airing of the show is when we had our socials taken over,” she wrote.
Jotham and Jaide may have been the newest couple in the Love Island Australia finale, but in that time, they already locked things in and went exclusive.
However, things turned sour for the couple shortly after they left the villa, with Jaide revealing details about Jotham going back to the woman he was dating before the show.
Of course, Love Island Australia was pre-recorded, and filming wrapped months ago, so a lot of drama has gone down in that time. Scroll on to find out what happened to Jotham and Jaide’s relationship after they left the villa.
Did Jotham have a girlfriend while he was in the Love Island villa?
In a post-finale interview, Love Island winners Yana and Kye revealed that Jotham had broken up.
“I don’t think Jotham and Jaide are [together anymore],” Yana told Chattr.
Now Jaide has confirmed that she and Jotham have split and said he had a girl who he was dating on the outside while he was in the villa.
During an interview on the show’s official podcast Love Island Australia Officially Unpacked, Jaide explained that she and Jotham spent a few romantic days together in Spain after filming wrapped, but his communication dropped off when they got back to Australia.
“I think he definitely had someone before, and then it didn’t take him long to go back straight to that person again,” she said.
Jaide explained that Jotham’s decision to go on the show despite being involved with someone else made her angry.
“I was like, why are you even going on Love Island? Like you’re saying, you’re not here for clout. You’re saying you don’t want to be an influencer. You say you don’t care if you win. Like, what? What are you doing? Like, why are you even here if you’ve got someone back at home?”
Despite Jotham’s questionable actions, Jaide said she’s seen him a few times and they’re on amicable terms.
“I can’t be bothered holding grudges. I would rather, personally, kind of just leave him, and let him do his thing,” she said, adding: “Obviously, I was so hurt at the time, and it’s hard.”
Jotham was expected to appear on the podcast, but claimed he missed his flight.
Who is Jotham’s ‘secret girlfriend?
In November, Gabby was asked by TikToker Olan Tekkers why her then on-screen partner Jotham wasn’t at an event with her, and she claimed he was “at home with his girlfriend that he had the whole time throughout the whole show”.
Gabby doubled down on her claims, telling Chattr in an interview that the other male islanders told her about the woman.
“He told all the boys that he had a girl on the outside. The boys told it back to me,” she said.
When viewers watched Yana and Kye be crowned the winners of Love Island Australia 2025, the couple didn’t actually know they’d won at the time, as each pair of finalists pre-recorded a winning segment. Instead, they found out at a watch party in Sydney, which they had with their castmates, including Gabby, Isabel, Connor, and Yana’s bestie, Jamie-Lee.
That revelation explains why the couple weren’t overly excited in the aired segment, with Kye simply saying he was “shocked” and Yana adding that it was “crazy”.
However, in a post-win interview with Chattr, Yana revealed that there was another reason they were so surprised when host Sophie Monk called their name.
“It was a bit awkward,” she said. “But when Kye and I got called, we actually didn’t realise it was our turn. We thought that I was going to do Jotham and Jaide again, so it was a bit of a shock to us in a way.
“We were like, oh, it’s us now? It was definitely weird not knowing if we actually won or not,” she laughed.
Many Australian reality TV shows stage endings for all the finalists to ensure that the final vote doesn’t get spoiled. The pre-recorded ending was particularly important for Love Island Australia, which isn’t filmed live, but has the winner decided by public vote.
While the couples are still in the villa in Spain, the show records a winning ending for each finalist. Once the votes are counted, the network simply airs the pre-recorded segment for the winning couple.
Love IslandUS and UK are filmed live, and the Australian version only switched to a pre-recorded format in 2022.
During an interview on the show’s official podcast Love Island Australia Officially Unpacked, creative director Alex Mavroidakis explained that the switch to a pre-recorded format was for logistical reasons.
“Love Island Australia is commissioned by Channel Nine for November and December,” he began. “They want to shoot it in Europe, but it’s bloody freezing in Spain during those months, so we have to shoot it in the European summer. That’s the only way to make the show work.”
He added that Channel Nine only broadcasts Love Island Australia from Monday to Thursday, so if the show were aired live, there would be three extra days of content with no time slot, pointed out that “it’s either this or nothing.”
Jacqui Purvis captured Home and Away fans’ hearts with her stint on the soap as Felicity Newman, the fierce yet vulnerable character who had an epic love story with Tane Parata (Ethan Browne). When she was killed off in August 2024 with a surprise brain aneurysm, viewers were devastated to see her go, but interested to see where her acting talents would take her.
After taking some time to work on her screen career and travelling to the USA — she’s been cast in a big film Fear Is The Rider — Jacqui has made a surprising decision to return to Australia for her first professional theatre role. The actor founded her own production company NicNac Productions to “flip the script on female narratives”, and wants to create more strong female-led content.
Her new play, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea written by John Patrick Shanley, will be playing at The Old Fitz Theatre in Melbourne from January 13 until February 1, 2026. It’s a gritty, violent and romantic play featuring two characters, with the other lead played by Jacqui’s real-life boyfriend JK Kazzi.
“It’s kind of dangerous, it’s emotional, it’s kind of violent, but it’s also got romance and at the base of it, it’s love. It’s about love and connection… and I thought it was a really great time to do it at the moment, because we’ve kind of drifted from human connection,” Jacqui tells Chattr.
Jacqui chose to produce Danny and the Deep Blue Sea partly because her character, Roberta, is such a strong female character who breaks out of the boxes so many are placed in. “Everything’s put out onto the table… all your dirt, and grit, and messiness, and everything. I think that’s what I love about strong female characters, the messiness, and I don’t want to shy away from that because that is a part of us,” she explains.
When the former Home and Away star was growing up, she had a passion for sports and action films, but failed to see herself reflected in many of the roles, joking she wanted to be Matt Damon. This has influenced her ethos going forward, and it’s why she plans to make a change. “I wanted to see strong, gritty female characters on the screen and to reflect me, you know, my life growing up. So that’s a really strong driving force of mine. So everything I do is kind of motivated by that,” she says.
Jacqui Purvis, John Patrick Shanley and JK Kazzi in New York. Image: Supplied
The passionate star is laser-focused on her career and achieving her goals, and while preparing for Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, she travelled with JK to New York, as the show is set in The Bronx. While she was there, the writer John Patrick Shanley agreed to meet for coffee. He’s won Oscars, Pulitzers, Tony Awards, Golden Globes and more, so Jacqui was grateful he made the time to answer their questions.
“[It] was so surreal, because here’s this incredible writer who’s shaped modern theatre and [worked] with Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman and Viola Davis… and we actually got a lot of his insight into him writing it, why he wrote it, the characters who were very personal to him,” Jacqui recalls.
“We actually then travelled to the Bronx and went to the area that he kind of grew up and got a feel for that culture,” she adds.
Jacqui calls her new play a “massive challenge”
Going from the screen to stage is no easy feat, especially when you’ve been working with multiple co-stars and storylines that don’t revolve around your character, like Jacqui had on Home and Away. She tells Chattr she was searching for something to push her out of her comfort zone.
“I’m so used to that beautiful big ensemble at Home and Away and having so many voices, whereas here it’s literally just JK and I,” Jacqui says. “It’s so intimate, we’re on the stage 100% of the play, where we never leave the stage. For that one hour and 15 [minutes] you’ve jsut got us the whole time, so there’s no way out for us.
“It’s a massive challenge, but that’s why I wanted to do it, because it is so different from Home and Away.”
Danny and the Deep Blue Sea is playing at The Old Fitz Theatre in Melbourne from January 13 to February 1. You can purchase tickets here.
Love Island Australia winners Yana and Kye were left with a $30,000 prize after Dylan took $20,000 from the pot during the ‘Love or Money’ challenge, and Yana has revealed what the two-time Islander spent the money on.
The challenge, which took place in the final week, saw host Sophie Monk offer the remaining Islanders a cash prize of $20,000, but taking it meant they’d have to leave the villa immediately. Dylan decided to take the cash and bail, meaning his partner, Kodi, was dumped as well.
During the Truth Bike segment, which aired in the finale, Kodi was asked if Dylan had split the money with her, to which she replied “No”. Dylan jumped in and said she could expect some, but Yana has since confirmed that he chose to keep it all for himself.
“He didn’t even give her anything. He sent a photo of his new car to our group chat, showing off what he spent it on, and we all just had a crack at him being like, ‘You’re a dog,'” Yana told Chattr. “It’s also a sh**tbox.”
Yana’s revelation about Dylan is especially interesting, considering that he told 9Now that he is using the money to fly home to Ireland to see his sister,
“My sister lost her baby this year and she wants to fly home to mum. That’s all she wants to do but her and her boyfriend are getting sponsored so it’s a lot of money. I’m gonna pay for flights in February to spend three weeks at home with mum,” Dylan told the publication.
What will Kye and Yana spend their Love Island prize money on?
Kye and Yana’s portion of the prize money was considerably lower than previous seasons, thanks to Dylan’s move.
While Kye told Chattr that it was frustrating that the amount had been reduced, he understands why Dylan made the choice he did.
“It made sense for him to take it; there were three solid couples in the end, and it was probably the right decision in the moment. But, also, now that we have won, it’s a bit disappointing.”
Yana added that it’s “a bit s**t now that we’ve won.”
Kye pointed out that Yana was clearly a fan favourite this season, and for that reason, he wants the money to be spent on her.
“Yana’s now made a massive Christmas list, with a lot of Louis Vuitton on it, and I think we winning was definitely because of her, so I think I’ll treat her for Christmas this year,” he said.
All hell broke loose in the Love Island Australiavilla when Yana’s ex, Kye, entered as a bombshell during Episode 5. Yana was visibly shaken by his arrival and made it clear she was unhappy about it, however, things have since turned around for the couple, and they’re coupled up in the villa.
But, it’s been an extremely rough road for them, which has resulted in a lot of tears for Yana — particularly when Kye broke their boundaries and hooked up with bombshell Emma in Hotel Amor.
Despite the chaos, viewers saw Yana save Kye at the mass dumping that aired on December 2, and she has made it clear she’s willing to work to make a relationship work with him.
So, will they make it together as a couple in the real world? Love Island Australia 2025 is pre-recorded, so Kye and Yana already know the answer to those questions. However, read on to find out what we know so far about whether the couple are still together — and what their dating history is.
Are Love Island’s Kye and Yana together in real life?
Yes, they are! Yana and Kye confirmed in the post-win interview that they’re still going strong.
“We’re officially together, we have been the whole time [since leaving the villa],” she told Chattr.
Both Yana and Kye said their relationship has been going great outside the villa, and when asked if they could see a wedding on the cards one day, Yana responded: “Hell yeah, babies and all.”
Kye echoed Yana’s sentiments, saying he can see a life with her. “Yeah, definitely we’re on track, we’re definitely doing better than we ever have, so it’s looking good!
Yana and Kye at the finale. Image: Nine.
All the clues that Yana and Kye were still together while Love Island was airing.
The Islanders are strictly warned by production not to share their relationship status while the show is still airing, to avoid ruining the finale for viewers. However, eagle-eyed fans have managed to pick up signs about where Kye and Yana stand, and it’s not good news for people who think she should leave him.
One of Yana’s friends has dropped a major hint that she and Kye are still together. The friend Jamie-Lee shared a video on TikTok of Kye carrying Yana down a road at night.
In the comments section, a fan called Kye a “red flag” and Jamie’s response sounded as though Kye and Yana are still going strong.
“He has grown up so much. He also loves her so much,” she wrote.
On top of that, Yana attended a White Fox event in late November, and she can be seen wearing the “K and Y” bracelet Kye made and gifted her in Episode 25. If you look closely at Yana’s left hand, you can see the same black cord that Kye’s bracelet was made with.
The bracelet Kye made (left) and Yana wearing a black bracelet with beads (right). Image: Nine/TikTok.
She also posed with Kye for a photo with long-term Love Island couple, Nate and Georgia, suggesting that they’re, at very least, on good terms.
Nate, Georgia, Yana and Kye at the White Fox party. Image: Snapchat.
Another photo posted to Reddit shows Yana posing with two friends, wearing a different outfit from the White Fox party, with Kye in the background. So, while this doesn’t necessarily confirm that they’re dating, it does show they’ve been hanging out on multiple occasions since filming wrapped.
A photo of Yana with Kye in the background. Image: Reddit.
However, Yana recently threw a spanner in the works when she posted some lyrics about a man who lies and highlighted a section of the song that says, “I’m done”. Could she be hinting at being done with Kye after his Hotel Amor antics? We’ll just have to wait and see!
Yana’s post. Image: Instagram.
Love Island Australia’s Yana and Kye’s dating history
When Kye entered Love Island Australia, he picked Gabby for a date early, and she left to meet him. During their meet up, Gabby mentioned Yana by name, which is when it clicked to Kye that his ex was in the villa. Kye told Gabby that he’d dated Yana for a year and a half, and said the last time they saw each other was “a couple of months ago”.
After Kye officially entered the villa, Yana and the rest of the girls headed to a nook for a debrief, and Gabby told Yana that Kye had said their relationship had “finally ended six months ago”.
So, does the timeline of Yana and Kye’s relationship add up? Here’s everything we know about their history before the show.
It appears that Yana and Kye hard-launched their relationship in October 2023, on a group trip to Dumbogan, located about four hours north of Sydney. Yana shared a collection of snaps from the holiday, including a couple of her cuddled up with Kye.
In December 2023, Yana posted a photo of herself posing alongside a Four Wheel Drive on the beach at Scotts Head Beach, a five-hour drive from Sydney. Kye was tagged in the pic, suggesting that the pair headed off on another romantic trip together.
Kye was once again mysteriously tagged in a post by Yana in May 2023, but can’t be seen. It shows Yana competing in a surf competition in Newport on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Kye popped up again in Yana’s post in July 2024, and this time he was in front of the camera again. Yana captioned the carousel “Lil trip”, and it appears that the couple went dirt bike riding together.
October 2024 marked Kyle and Yana’s first solo couple photo on the gram, and the location was tagged as Annuka Beach Resort. However, there was some crazy foreshadowing in the comments section, with a now-deleted user writing: “He’s cheated on every gf he’s had pls beware before u txt the gfs gc broken x.”
Things appeared to still be going strong between Kye and Yana in January of this year, as Kyle was tagged in a selection of pics of Yana in Seal Rocks. However, the same user who ominously warned Yana about Kye in October was back in the comments section. “Dating a guy with a horrendous past is really embarrassing please beware,” they wrote.
Kye and Yana took things international with a trip to LA and Brazil in February 2025, but it seemed to spell the end of the couple, as the pics are the last photos posted online of them together.
March 2025
In March, Yana posted a clip to her Instagram story showing her friend running to her car, captioning it “Who needs a bf?”, which implied that she was single.
When was Love Island Australia 2025 filmed?
Unlike the UK and USA versions of Love Island, which are filmed live, the Australian iteration is pre-recorded.
While exact filming dates haven’t been released to the public, it’s understood that filming generally takes place from late July to late August. If that’s correct, it looks like Yana and Kye broke up around five months prior to filming the dating reality show.
However, Yana and Kye have since rekindled their flame on Love IslandAustralia, and headed to the hideaway together for a spicy night on November 20.
Love Island Australia airs Monday – Thursday on 9Now.
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With the Love Island Australia 2025finale wrapped, it’s safe to say this season has delivered. Think tears, heartbreaks, dramatic break-ups and even more dramatic make-ups.
But now comes the question on everyone’s lips: which couples are actually still going strong, and which ones haven’t spoken in months? Let’s get into it.
Sharn and Ross
Ross and Sharn from Love Island Australia. Image: Nine.
Sharn and Ross quickly became one of the most talked-about couples in the Love Island Villa, thanks to their instant chemistry and refreshingly real connection. The couple were coupled up from day one, and it looks like they’re still going strong.
In a post-win interview, Yana and Kye confirmed that the couple are still together.
“Sharn and Ross are together,” Yana told Chattr, with Kye explaining that they watched the finale with thier friends in Byron, which isn’t why they didn’t attend the watch party Kye and Yana had with Gabby, Connor and Isabel.
While the season was still airing, Love Island pro Olan Tekkers recently attended the TikTok Awards after party, and said Sharn and Ross were still very much together.
“Ross and Sharn are definitely still together, very much publicly declaring their love for each other. So, I don’t know if they make it to the finals or not, but they’re still together,” he said.
Sharn has also updated her LinkedIn location to the Gold Coast, which is a stone’s throw from Ross’s town of Byron Bay.
Additionally, they were pictured on dates in Adelaide and leaving the TikTok awards together, alongside Isabel and Connor.
Verdict: Still together.
Kye and Yana
Kye and Yana from Love Island Australia. Image: Nine.
Yana and Kye’s Love Island journey was a rollercoaster. What started on the outside as a relationship quickly turned into an ex status… until Kye arrived in the Love Island villa with his tongue wagging — literally, during episode 5.
At first, Yana wasn’t having a bar of it, but eventually their love prevailed, and they got back together in the villa.
In a post-finale interview, Kye and Yana confirmed that they’re still very much together in and in love.
“We’re officially together,” Yan told Chattr. Kye added that he’s planning something romantic to ask Yana to be his girlfriend again.
“I’m going to make it a big special one, I think she deserves something nice with some balloons,” he said.
Prior to the finale, Yana dropped a big clue that she was with Kye, as she wore the bracelet that Kye made and gifted her in the villa to a White Fox event.
Verdict: Still together.
Jotham and Jaide
Jotham and Jaide from Love Island Australia. Image: Nine.
They may be the newest pair in the finale lineup, but Jotham and Jaide recently locked in their relationship on the show by making it exclusive.
During a post-win interview, Yana revealed that Jotham and Jaide have split since the villa.
“I don’t think Jotham and Jaide are [together anymore],” she told Chattr.
Earlier in the season, Jotham dropped a hint during a podcast interview that suggested that they’re no longer together.
“The statement of me having a girlfriend before, on, during and after [the show] is just not true at all,” he said, and that specific reference to having no girlfriend after the show certainly raises eyebrows.
Verdict: Not together.
Mateo and Tamara
Mateo and Tamara from Love Island Australia. Image: Nine.
Mateo and Tamara split before even leaving the villa; however, Tamara revealed on the Officially Unpacked podcast that they’ve been spending some time together in Australia.
“I did spend a couple of days with him in Sydney last week, and we have been talking a lot more,” she said on December 12.
Tamara said she and Mateo weren’t in contact immediately after filming, but started talking on FaceTime when she went back to the UK.
“It was before our entrance episode, and we were kind of just checking in on each other. And then we started talking a little bit more. And then we both were just in Sydney last week, and we spent a little bit of time together,” she explained.
However, while Mateo didn’t completely rule out the possibility of getting back with Tamara, he did point out later in the interview that the former couple haven’t spent any time together one-on-one.
Verdict: Stay tuned!
Mick and Emma
Mick and Emma from Love Island Australia. Image: Nine.
Mick and Emma were dumped from the villa right before the finale, and Mick has revealed that they haven’t seen each other since they left Spain.
“I haven’t seen Emma since the villa, to be honest,” he said on the Officially Unpacked podcast.
“I think she was a really good girl, like, really fun. I think out all the girls I met in the villa, she was someone I really clicked with and had a really good time. But she lives on the Gold Coast. I live in Melbourne.”
“I think we both knew, once we got out of there, that look, we tried in there and we did form a genuine connection in there, and we did ride it out. But look, when I got out of there, I was like, okay, like, what, what do I really want right now? And I think, I want to focus on my career and doing what I want to do. And… I just think she’s probably doing the same thing right now. And I wish her the best.”
Verdict: Not together.
Kodi and Dylan
Kodi and Dylan from Love Island Australia. Image: Nine.
When the Islanders were offered a $20,000 cash prize—on the condition that taking it meant leaving the villa and automatically dumping their partner—Dylan grabbed the money and left Kodi high and dry.
Although Kodi was frustrated at Dylan during her exit interview, the preview for the Love Island Australia finale showed her walking in hand in hand with Dylan, suggesting that they may have made amends.
Verdict: Unlikely, but possible.
The Love Island Australia 2025 finale airs on Monday, December 15th on 9Now and9Go.
Yana confirmed that she and Kye are very much together, but revealed she’s still waiting for Kye to ask her to be his girlfriend.
“We’re officially together, we have been the whole time [since leaving the villa],” she told Chattr, adding: “he hasn’t asked me to be his girlfriend yet.”
While Kye also confirmed to Chattr that they’re dating, he revealed he has something in the works for when he officially pops the girlfriend question.
“I’m going to make it a big special one, I think she deserves something nice with some balloons,” he said.
Both Yana and Kye said their relationship has been going great outside the villa, and when asked if they could see a wedding on the cards one day, Yana responded: “Hell yeah, babies and all.”
Kye echoed Yana’s sentiments, saying he can see a life with her. “Yeah, definitely we’re on track, we’re definitely doing better than we ever have, so it’s looking good!”
Kye and Yana at the Love Island Australia 2025 finale. Image: Nine.
Yana added that she and Kye are grateful for their time on Love Island Australia, saying the experience taught them a lot about their relationship and that they won’t be repeating the same mistakes they made before entering the villa.
“The communication [we learnt was] the biggest one for us. And just realising each other on a deeper level, I think the villa brings us closer than we’ve ever been. We’ve both definitely matured and grown a lot in in there, and taking that out into the outside world, and everyone’s noticing it, all our families and friends.
She said she and Kye will be spending Christmas and New Year’s together and have plans to head up to the Gold Coast to visit their families. Yana added that despite her mum’s initial shock at seeing her and Kye back together during the family calls that aired in the finale, she’s now thrilled they’ve reunited.
“She’s happy now that she’s spoken to Kye and everything, she’s super stoked. And dad was so happy to see Kye, because he always loved Kye, so he was super happy to see that Kye ended up on the show as well, and we ended up together.
What are Kye and Yana planning on spending their prize money on?
In an unprecedented twist right before the finale, viewers saw the remaining Islanders offered a cash prize of $20,000, but taking it meant they’d have to leave the villa immediately.
Dylan decided to take the cash and bail, and after he made his decision, host Sophie Monk announced that the money would be deducted from the total prize, meaning that Kye and Yana only bagged $30,000 for their win.
“It’s a bit s**t now that we’ve won,” Yana laughed.
Kye added that he understood why Dylan took the money, but said it wasn’t ideal that it affected their total winnings.
“It made sense for him to take it, there were three solid couples in the end, and it was probably the right decision in the moment. But, also, now that we have won, it’s a bit disappointing.”
Yana was clearly a fan favourite this season and Kye said he believes she’s the reason they won Love Island Australia, so he wants her to enjoy the prize money.
“Yana’s now made a massive Christmas list, with a lot of Louis Vuitton on it, and I think we winning was definitely because of her, so I think I’ll treat her for Christmas this year,” he said.
Yana and Kye have officially been crowned the winners of Love Island Australia 2025.
The couple, who were in a long-term relationship before the show, entered the villa separately. After a rocky start to the season, they found their way back to each other and exchanged “I love yous” just days before the finale.
After host Sophie Monk announced that they were the winners, Kye told Sophie he was shocked, and Yana added it was “crazy”.
Ahead of the finale, Gabby told Chattr that she was backing the couple and believed Kye had what it takes to be the partner Yana needs post-villa.
“Kye is a big, soft teddy bear, and you actually don’t get to see that side of him,” she said.
Gabby explained that Yana was a lot more cautious about diving back into a relationship with Kye, and said he would gush about her in their daily conversations.
“Yana was the one who had her walls up in there with Kye, and he was just obsessed with Yana,” she told Chattr. “We would sit there at lunchtimes, and all he would talk about was her.
“You don’t get to see everyone’s full potential and the real human beings that we are.”
Are Yana and Kye still together?
It looks that way! One of Yana’s friends has dropped a major hint that she and Kye are still together. The friend Jamie-Lee shared a video on TikTok of Kye carrying Yana down a road at night.
In the comments section, a fan called Kye a “red flag” and Jamie’s response sounded as though Kye and Yana are still going strong.
“He has grown up so much. He also loves her so much,” she wrote.
On top of that, Yana attended a White Fox event in late November, and she can be seen wearing the “K and Y” bracelet Kye made and gifted her in Episode 25. If you look closely at Yana’s left hand, you can see the same black cord that Kye’s bracelet was made with.
The bracelet Kye made (left) and Yana wearing a black bracelet with beads (right). Image: Nine/TikTok.
She also posed with Kye for a photo with long-term Love Island couple, Nate and Georgia, suggesting that they’re, at very least, on good terms.
Nate, Georgia, Yana and Kye at the White Fox party. Image: Snapchat.
Another photo posted to Reddit shows Yana posing with two friends, wearing a different outfit from the White Fox party, with Kye in the background. So, while this doesn’t necessarily confirm that they’re dating, it does show they’ve been hanging out on multiple occasions since filming wrapped.
A photo of Yana with Kye in the background. Image: Reddit.
Passionate fans have made their opinions loud and clear online, and one couple has emerged as the clear frontrunner.
Which couple do fans think will win Love Island Australia?
A Love Island Australia Facebook fan group poll has drawn hundreds of responses, and if it reflects the wider public vote, this season’s winner is a shoo-in.
At the time of writing, Kye and Yana were leading the poll with 79% of the vote, while Ross and Sharn sat a distant second on 13%, and Jotham and Jaide trailed further behind with just 8%.
Love Island Australia Facebook poll. Image: Facebook.
However, while many viewers voted for former exes Yana and Kye, much of the support appeared to be for Yana individually, rather than for the couple as a pair. That’s likely to do with the fact that Kye betrayed Yana during Hotel Amor when he hooked up with Emma.
However, despite Kye’s wandering eye, their villa-bestie Gabby believes he has what it takes to step up and be the man Yana needs in the real world.
“Kye is a big, soft teddy bear, and you actually don’t get to see that side of him,” she told Chattr.
“Yana was the one who had her walls up in there with Kye, and he was just obsessed with Yana,” she said. “We would sit there at lunchtimes, and all he would talk about was her.
“You don’t get to see everyone’s full potential and the real human beings that we are.”
Yana and Kye. Image: Nine.
How to vote for the Love Island Australia 2025 winner
The finale is just a matter of hours away, but there’s still time to vote for your favourite couple!
To do so, simply head to the official Love Island website here and choose the pair you want to win. However, you’ll have to be quick as voting closes on Monday, December 15 2024, 9.32pm (AEDT).
Good luck to all the Love Island Australia 2025 finalists!
The Love Island Australia 2025 finale airs on Monday, December 15th at 8:30pm AEDT on 9Now.
However, despite exchanging “I love yous” in a recent episode, fans remain wary of Kye’s treatment of Yana — and her villa bestie Gabby has weighed in on whether he can really be the man she needs.
During an interview with Chattr, Gabby confirmed that she “100%” believes Kye will be a good partner to Yana post-villa, adding that there was a lot that viewers didn’t get to see.
“Kye is a big, soft teddy bear, and you actually don’t get to see that side of him,” she said.
Gabby explained that Yana was a lot more cautious about diving back into a relationship with Kye, and said he would gush about her in their daily conversations.
“Yana was the one who had her walls up in there with Kye, and he was just obsessed with Yana,” she told Chattr. “We would sit there at lunchtimes, and all he would talk about was her.
“You don’t get to see everyone’s full potential and the real human beings that we are.”
Why Gabby backed Yana and Kye getting back together post Hotel Amor
Gabby and Yana grew extremely close in the Love Island villa, and fans have questioned why Gabby encouraged her bestie to get back with Kye after he strayed in Hotel Amor with Emma.
However, Gabby explained that Yana and Kye hadn’t agreed to be exclusive before their nights away separately, and said they’d only just started exploring the idea.
“I’ve been so supportive of them because Kye is going to Hotel Amor, they weren’t anything like they had only just opened up the idea of getting back together and all those sorts of things. So I think that she’s been able to move on [and continue their relationship now], because they weren’t actually together.”
Gabby added that she’s still really close to Yana and Kye, telling Chattr that they have her vote to win the finale.
The Love Island Australia 2025 finale airs on Monday, December 15th on 9Now.
The singles have been mingling on Love Island Australia2025, but — with only so many beds available, and a whole lot of hot new bombshells to come — not all of the OG Islanders can stick around.
The first episode of Love Island Australia 2025 saw five women and five men enter the villa. But it wasn’t long before the first bombshell, Gabby, popped up. To make things even, Mick followed in her footsteps as the first male bombshell.
As the general premise of the show goes, the men and women take turns to pick their love interest at the fire pit. The islanders who aren’t selected in the recoupling ceremony are unceremoniously dumped from the villa.
Read on to find out who’s been eliminated from Love Island Australia 2025 so far.
Sophie Monk and the Love Island contestants at a recoupling ceremony. Image: Nine.
Who’s been eliminated from Love Island Australia 2025 so far?
Mick and Emma
Mick and Emma narrowly missed out on the Love Island Australia finale, as they were the last couple dumped before the big event.
After Dylan took the money and ran, the Superfans voted for their favourite three couples, and Mick and Emma didn’t make the cut.
Dylan and Kodi
When the Islanders were offered a $20,000 cash prize — on the condition that taking it meant leaving the villa and automatically dumping their partner — Dylan grabbed the money and left. That meant that Kodi was yeeted out of Love Island Australia as well.
Gabby and Josh
Day one bombshell — and one of the main characters of the season — Gabby self-eliminated from Love Island in the final moments of Episode 27.
She’d been picked by new bombshell Josh in the previous episode, but didn’t find much of a connection. So, when the remaining six couples were gathered at the fire pit and informed by text that they must choose between them which couple would leave, Gabby volunteered.
“Guys, I think I’m just gonna say a few words. I think that f**k the vote. You know, let’s cut bulls**t. I keep it real around here. I think that you five deserve to go to the finale, all of you equally,” she began.
Gabby told her fellow Islanders that she’s been having a rough time since she and Jotham split after Hotel Amor.
“I think that I’ve reflected on my journey, and I think my Love Island experience definitely came to an end when you walked through the doors after Hotel Amor, and it’s been a f**king struggle since then. But I love you all, and I hope I taught you guys that baddies get saddies, and it’s okay to wear your heart on your sleeve,” she finished.
Unfortunately for Josh, that meant that he was eliminated by default, too.
Tamara and Mateo
Tamara and Mateo had a rather bizarre dumping, in comparison to previous Love Island eliminations. Rather than being voted out by the Superfans or their fellow Islanders, they were simply brought to the front of the fire pit by host Sophie Monk and told they were going home.
“Tamara and Mateo, you failed to build on a connection with each other, you failed to be chosen by the final two bombs, sorry guys, but your time in the villa is now up,” she told them.
Bailey, Boston, Mia and Alex
Mia, Bailey, Alex and Boston. Images: Nine.
The December 2 episode of Love Island Australia 2025 saw a mass exodus of Islanders, with four sent packing.
The six Islanders who had been in the villa the longest had the power to choose their partners, and it was Mia, Bailey, Alex, Boston, Tamara and Mateo who weren’t chosen. However, Tamara was saved when the OG Islanders were allowed to pick one of the singles, and she chose to couple up with Mateo, who also remained in the villa.
Isabel and Conor
Connor and Isabel. Image: Nine.
In a shock elimination ceremony, Isabel was voted least favourite contestant by the Love Island Superfans, and was dumped from the villa.
However, it wasn’t all heartbreak for the 27-year-old; her partner, Connor, decided to leave the villa too, despite not being voted off, making a first for the show.
“You know that never in the history of Love Island Australia has anyone ever left with someone,” host Sophie Monk announced when Connor decided to go with Isabel.
But, Isabel still wasn’t happy about the Superfans’ decision.
“I feel like we’ve been the most authentic in here and our connection has been the most authentic, so if they can’t f**king see that, they get f**ked,” she told Sophie.
Lacey
Lacey. Image: Nine
Lacey was sent home after Sophie Monk gave Ross, Mateo and Jotham the chance to choose one female to leave. It came down to Gabby, Yana and Lacey, before she left in tears.
Lacey didn’t want to leave Kye, who she felt like she had a genuine connection with.
On Instagram, Lacey said she was grateful to have her Love Island Australia experience. “Came in hot, stirred the pot, and served main character energy all season long. My back’s still sore and recovering from carrying the season,” she joked.
“Beyond all the chaos, laughter, crying, and drama, the villa truly felt like family. I’m so grateful for every connection, experience, lesson and every heart I met along the way.”
Cooper
Cooper and Kye. Image: Nine.
Cooper had a rough trot in the Love Island Australia villa, and his departure was no exception. The Islanders were called to the firepit, where Sophie Monk revealed one boy would be leaving.
The Islanders paired off until it was just Yana left standing. She had to choose between her ex, Kye, or Cooper, whom she’d originally coupled up with, but didn’t find a connection. She opted for her ex, and Cooper had a tantrum before leaving the villa (hopefully) forever.
Zac and Bailey
Bailey. Image: Nine.Zac. Image: Nine.
Zac and Bailey were the first two Islanders to be sent home from Love Island Australia 2025, a bittersweet twist, given they’d coupled up on the very first day in the villa.
However, the pair didn’t leave as a couple, with things fizzling out after Zac pulled away from the Canadian model upon learning she didn’t want to have kids.
After breaking things off with Bailey, Zac pursued Sharn, who was initially interested but, after getting to know Zac, decided she wanted to focus on her current partner, Ross.
Bailey moved on from Zac with bomb Mick, but Mick was more interested in Yana, and picked her at the recoupling ceremony.
Unlike previous years, Zac and Bailey weren’t the last Islanders left standing as the other singles picked their match. Instead, bombs Mick and Gabby had their first picks, and then the remaining islanders had to band together by gender, and choose someone of the opposite sex from the remaining pool to send home.
It’s been a wild ride in the Love Island Australia villa, but with the finale just around the corner, we’ll soon know who will be crowned the 2025 winners.
Between the tears, screaming fights and bouncing blankets, some of the couples look to have found a long-lasting connection on the show.
So, which of those couples will take out the crown — and when will it all play out? Read on to find out everything we know about the Love Island Australia 2025 finale.
Love Island host Sophie Monk. Image: Nine.
When is the Love Island Australia finale?
The Love Island Australia 2025 finale will air at 8:30pm on Monday, December 15, on 9GO, and then it will air on 9Now afterwards.
Who’s in the Love Island 2025 finale?
There’s been a mass exodus of Islanders in recent episodes, and only three couples remain in the running to win Love Island 2025. They are:
Ross and Sharn are the only day one Love Island couple still standing. Image: Nine.
This week we’ve seen Gabby, Josh, Kodi, Dylan, Matteo, Tamara, Mick and Emma all leave the villa.
How to vote for the winner of Love Island 2025
Unlike the international versions, Love Island Australia isn’t filmed live, so for the majority of the season, the public vote aspect is handed to the Superfans. The Superfans are a group of people selected by production who vote on dumpings and other challenges throughout the season.
However, the public regains power for the finale, with fans voting for the winner. To vote for your favourite couple, head to the official Love Island website here.
Not only did Love Island Australia 2025 welcome a whole new bunch of Islanders to the villa, but it also introduced a brand-new hard seltzer to the show.
Throughout the season, the Besa Mi Vino hard seltzers have appeared again and again, and fans have been desperately Googling for information on how to try them for themselves.
So, we’ve popped together a guide that includes everything you need to know about the seltzers — and how you can get your hands on them in time for the festive season.
Gabby and Josh with the Love Island seltzers. Image: Nine.
What are the seltzers the cast drink on Love Island Australia?
The hard seltzers are made by Besa Mi Vino and crafted with Australian wine. But with an alcohol content of 8%, they’re not for the faint-hearted — each can contains more than two standard drinks.
They come in standard flavours of watermelon and peach, and a third passionfruit flavour was made specifically for Love Island Australia. Fortunately, it’s also available for us mere mortals to buy.
The selzter flavours. Image: Besa.
Where to buy the Love Island Australia seltzers
While you may not have come across the Besa Mi Vino hard seltzers at your local bottle-o, they’re available at selected stores across Australia.
The Love Island Australia cast has an alcohol limit; however, Season 4 runner-up Callum Hole told Chattr that the limit increases towards the tail end of the show.
“Love Island, your maximum drink allowance is two drinks a night,” he said. “If you get to the final, they allow you to have maybe three [drinks].”
Mick and Emma on the daybed with seltzers. Image: Nine.
In an interview for the show’s podcast Officially Unpacked, the show’s creative director, Alex Mavroidakis, elaborated on why the limit is in place.
“First of all, people don’t look as good when they’re drunk, and Love Island is about people who look good,” he said. “Second of all, most importantly, people make stupid decisions when they’re drunk. We are so red hot on duty of care and consent.”
Executive producer Josie Steele explained that the strength of Besa Mi Vino hard seltzers had the production team reevaluate how much alcohol the Islanders were allowed.
“It used to be one. And now we have, this year we had an alcohol sponsor, Besa and those cans that those drinks come in are like two standard drinks, so we had heaps of meetings around whether that was going to be okay.”
The Love Island Australia 2025 finale airs on Monday, December 15th on 9Now and 9Go.
As we hurtle towards the finale of Love Island Australia 2025, the question on many fans’ minds remains: why exactly is the Australian version of the beloved reality show pre-recorded, rather than broadcast live?
One of the show’s executive producers, Alex Mavroidakis, answered this very question on Love Island Australia Officially Unpacked, the show’s official podcast, where its producers addressed Love Island Australia fans’ burning questions.
Responding to a question about why the show is recorded in advance, he essentially said the answer comes down to… the weather. “Love Island Australia is commissioned by Channel Nine for November and December,” he begins. “They want to shoot it in Europe, but it’s bloody freezing in Spain during those months, so we have to shoot it in the European summer. That’s the only way to make the show work.”
He added that Channel Nine only broadcasts Love Island Australia from Monday to Thursday, meaning that the islanders would be left twiddling their thumbs for the remaining three days of the week. Mavroidakis stressed that “it’s either this or nothing”, pointing out that many other versions of the show, including those filmed in Norway, Sweden, Spain and Greece, do the same thing.
Of course, the main issue with the pre-recorded episodes is that fans of the show can’t vote, to which Alex responded: “It’s a shame… but so many of those comments I’m reading come from the UK and the US who can’t vote anyway. Come on guys, seriously.”
But fortunately for passionate Love Island fans, the 2025 winner will be decided by the public. Viewers can back their favourite of the final three couples, Sharn and Ross, Yana and Kye or Jotham and Jaide via the Love Island website.
Alex Mavroidakis and Sophie Monk on set of Love Island Australia. Image: Nine.
Are Love Island Australia’s Superfans Real?
Many Love Island Australia fans are understandably bummed out that they’re unable to vote for their favourite islanders as the season progresses, due to the show not being live.
Instead, it’s the show’s controversial Superfans who call the shots, from who’s made vulnerable to who scores a date with a bombshell, and even who is sent home.
And while speculation abounds that these Superfans are fake, the producers have stressed on an earlier episode of the podcast that they’re the real deal.
“The Superfans are real,” Josie Steele, another of the show’s producers, said. “I wish they were fake sometimes, because it’s really hard managing them.”
“I’m gonna tell you right now, pinky swear. I’ll do this to my kids. The Superfans are real, and I don’t pinky swear lightly,” Alex said, adding that the reason that we don’t see any Love Island Australia Superfans is because they’ve all signed NDAs.
Love Island Australia 2025 airs Monday – Thursday on 9Now.
Rumours that Jotham Russell had a girlfriend during Love Island Australia 2025 took off after Gabby claimed that he was involved with someone on the outside while dating her in the villa, and Reddit users believe they’ve found the girl involved.
In November, Gabby was asked by TikToker Olan Tekkers why her then on-screen partner Jotham wasn’t at an event with her, and she claimed he was “at home with his girlfriend that he had the whole time throughout the whole show”.
Shortly after, Gabby told Chattr that her fellow male Islanders recently told her that he had a girlfriend while he was on the show.
Jotham and Gabby on Love Island Australia. Image: Nine.
“He told all the boys that he had a girl on the outside. The boys told it back to me,” she said.
After the news went viral, Jotham claimed in an interview with TV Week that he never had a “secret girlfriend,” however, he did acknowledge that he was seeing someone before.
“I was definitely talking to someone before the villa – to a few people. Some I was seeing more than others. But it was pretty much just that. I barely even went on dates. I haven’t really been much of a dater on the outside. I don’t do dinner dates,” he said.
Who is Jotham from Love Island’s secret girlfriend?
Reddit users have put their detective hats on, and many are convinced they’ve uncovered the woman Jotham was allegedly involved with, named Bhodi.
It’s important to note that the woman hasn’t publicly claimed to be Jotham’s girlfriend, nor has she said so anywhere on social media. However, story posts in her highlights have shown that she went to Japan with Jotham earlier this year, along with his brother Tynna and his girlfriend Jorgee.
Jotham, Bhodi, Tynna and Jorgee in Japan. Image: Instagram.Jotham, Bhodi and Jorgee in Japan. Image: Instagram.
Jotham has also liked a LOT of Bhodi’s photos this year, and can be found in the comments section of many of them.
One Reddit user pointed out that, despite the fact that Jotham may not have put a label on their relationship, it clearly looks as though Jotham and Bhodi are a couple.
“I mean come on… a YEARS long situationship that you travel with and take on family vacations??… If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. That is basically his girlfriend that he just won’t officially call his gf so that he can f**k around. I really don’t think Gabby is too far off by saying [that’s] his gf,” they wrote.
Jotham and Bhodi in Japan. Image: Instagram.Jotham, Bhodi, Tynna and Jorgee in Japan. Image: Instagram.
Somewhere on the Gold Coast, Gabby is probably feeling pretty vindicated right now.
Love Island Australia 2025 airs Monday – Thursday on 9Now.
Married at First Sight (MAFS) star Dave Hand has confirmed that he’s well and truly alive after a bunch of viral TikToks picked up traction claiming that he died in a car accident.
The bizarre videos — which are likely created with AI and began in September — all feature cover images suggesting that Dave has passed away.
A search of Dave Hand’s name on TikTok shows these videos. Image: TikTok.
Fortunately, the MAFS 2024 groom has confirmed that the videos are a hoax, but said he was shocked when people started sending him them.
“It was pretty strange to be fair, not sure what’s going on, but I found it hilarious that there are so many videos,” Dave told Chattr.
“Surely it’s an AI/bot situation because anyone spending time making these needs a job. Actually, I could hire them to do some caulking. I’m super busy this time of year,” he laughed. “But honestly, it’s weird. My inbox was full of the TikTok vids, it was actually crazy.”
While the clips have been making the rounds on TikTok, it appears that most MAFS fans haven’t been falling for Dave’s death hoax.
“He didn’t die.. I work with his mum,” one person wrote, while another questioned the video. “Why would they say he died?”
There have been rumours circulating that Dave will be joining the next season of Netflix’s Perfect Match. Dave’s MAFS ex Jamie Marinos has also confirmed to Chattr that she was asked to join the series, but turned the opportunity down.
“I was approached earlier this year, which was flattering, but it didn’t align with where I’m at personally or professionally. When I applied for MAFS – and throughout the entire process – I was completely authentic and genuinely hoping to build a real relationship. Maintaining that authenticity matters to me, and stepping into a dating environment that didn’t reflect that intention didn’t feel right,” she said.
Jamie said she’s now focused on future opportunities and while she’s open to love, she’s not looking on reality TV.
“Right now, my focus is on my mental health, my career, and opportunities that align with the direction I’m moving in. For me, it was the best decision not to be involved,” she continued.
Stream MAFS 2024 on 9Now.
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Warning: Spoilers below, so if you haven’t watched Love Island Australia Episode 26 and don’t want to know what happens, look away now!
Gabby’s exit from the Love Island Australia villa was nothing short of dramatic, staying true to the main character energy she’s been giving all season long.
During the episode that aired on December 10, the remaining 12 Islanders gathered at the firepit, where they were informed by text that one couple would be leaving, and the group would choose who that was. However, Gabby stood up and told the rest of the cast she’d leave, so they could all stay — which meant her partner new Bombshell Josh was automatically dumped too.
Gabby made her entrance as the very first Bombshell on Love Island Australia 2025, arriving in Episode 1. Since then, she’s been at the centre of countless dramas and has split viewers with her fierce personality. But love her or hate her, there’s no denying the 21-year-old delivers top-tier reality TV.
Looking back on her time in the Love Island villa, Gabby told Chattr that her time on the show taught her so much about herself.
“I think spending so much time with yourself and your thoughts and your emotions, my feelings, — was like, wow. I have a lot to work on. Like, I have a lot of like, underlying things from my past or my childhood,” she said.
Gabby and Yana at Love Island Australia movie night. Image: Nine.
“I think I’ve really become a lot more self-aware since the experience, and obviously, like, I came out with so many best friends. I’m just so grateful and appreciative for all of it,” she added.
The villa certainly won’t be the same without Gabby, so would she consider returning for another Love Island season?
“I would definitely go back and do it all again,” she said.
Gabby shares why she’s so grateful for her Love Island Australia experience
Gabby found a connection with both Jotham and Dylan, but, unfortunately for her, neither coupling ended up working out.
However, she told Chattr that she’s so appreciative of the female friendships she made in the villa.
“I’m so grateful. We had a group of, like, five of us. It was me, Yana, Tamara, Sharn and Izzy, and we’re all super close still. Also, I made really good friends with Mia, Boston, and all of those girls. I mean, it’s a trauma bond that we’ll have for life,” she laughed.
Love Island’s Yana, Sharn, Gabby, Izzy, Hannah and Tamara. Image: Nine.
But, when it came to the men of the villa, Gabby could only name a few who she’s still on good terms with.
“I’m really close with Kye,” Gabby told Chattr. “I love Kye, and I am friends with Mick. I’m super close to Connor as well. Mick’s a bit of a shit stirrer, but you love him like a brother at the end.
“I have so much love for Kye, Connor and Mick,” she added.
Love Island Australia 2025 airs Monday – Thursday on 9Now.
Big Brother Australia was a massive success, with Channel 10 restoring the reality TV show to its former glory. Along with live nominations and evictions, fans were also treated to 24/7 streaming of the chaos in the house.
Of course, there were times when the cameras would cut to the fish tanks or washing machines for far too long, but audiences were able to see the social experiment play out in real time.
So, will Big Brother Australia return for 2026? Host Mel Tracina didn’t announce anything at the grand finale, but a fan with inside knowledge has spilled some details on a popular fan Facebook group.
“Mel stopped just short of announcing [Big Brother Australia] would be back. They should have announced it then and opened casting up. I had heard from someone closely involved they were looking at an 82 day version from April,” they wrote.
“I hope it works out. I’d like a bit later in the year to have a concurrent run with Big Brother UK and finally do a housemate swap.”
Fans were excited by this potential extended season, with one saying it would be “awesome”.
“I loved this series, Mel was an awesome host,” another added.
“Bring back Friday night games next year,” a third said.
The Big Brother housemates. Image: 10
What has Mel Tracina said about Big Brother Australia 2026?
While host Mel didn’t confirm Big Brother Australia 2026, it sounds like it’s definitely on the cards. “So, what do you reckon, do you want to do it again next year?” she asked the screaming crowd at Dreamworld during the finale.
Casting for Big Brother Australia 2026 is not yet open, but the show has seen huge ratings for Channel 10. The show’s grand finale was the biggest since 2021, and was the network’s biggest reality show since 2023.
Big Brother Australia racked up 161 million total social media views across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, and the TV show reached 6.6 million total viewers. It seems like a no-brainer for 2026!
Stream Big Brother Australia 2025 on 10Play.
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Is the future of Home and Away at stake? Following in the footsteps of Neighbours, Channel 5 in the UK has removed the Aussie soap from its daytime slot, and viewers will only be able to watch it on streaming during the day.
Fans will remember that Channel 5 dropped Neighbours in 2022, which ultimately led to its cancellation (before being revived by Amazon FreeVee in 2023 and then finishing again in 2025).
“[The show is] moving exclusively to streaming for daytime viewing,” a Channel 5 spokesperson told Digital Spy. This will take place in January, so loyal daytime watchers will need to use the network’s streaming app instead.
“Moving daytime episodes exclusively to streaming is a natural next step, reflecting how audiences want to engage with their favourite content,” Channel 5’s Commissioning Editor Greg Barnett said. “Home and Away has been a phenomenal success for us on streaming.”
However, there’s one difference between Home and Away and Neighbours. Summer Bay fans will still be able to get their fix in the UK on 5Star, with new episodes still airing at 6.30pm each night. Plus, unlike Neighbours, Home and Away relies primarily on Australian viewers and funding from Channel Seven.
It was also previously revealed by Channel 5’s Director of Programmes that Home and Away has a “life-of-series deal”, meaning the channel will continue to air it as long as it is produced.
“I think it will be interesting to see what we do with it as we evolve. There might be somewhere else to put it in the [Channel] 5 spectrum. But it’s a life-of-series deal, so it’s not going anywhere until the makers decide to cancel it,” Ben Frow told Radio Times magazine in 2022.
Marilyn and Alf. Image: Seven
Home and Away fans react to the ‘bad news’
When Channel 5’s decision was shared on a popular Home and Away Facebook group, many were worried about the soap’s future.
“Gosh… I hope that isn’t a move towards ending it showing in [the] UK,” one person said.
“That is bad news for the UK following Home and Away,” another added.
“That’s alright if you can stream it but [not] everyone can,” an annoyed fan wrote.
“That’s mean, just glad I’ve got a new TV so can stil watch it,” another chimed in.
Home and Away airs Mondays – Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.
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