Fresh from his victory on Love Island: All Stars, winner Ciaran Davies has made a startling revelation about the behind-the-scenes health struggles that plagued the show's contestants. The Welsh star, who clinched the £50,000 prize alongside partner Samie Elishi, disclosed that approximately 90 per cent of the islanders suffered from stomach problems during filming in South Africa.
A Widespread Health Issue in the Villa
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Davies described what he termed a villa-wide bout of upset stomachs that left many contestants battling digestive issues away from the cameras. "About 90 per cent of the islanders on the All Stars had stomach problems," he revealed. "I don't know whether it's just being in a different country so far away in South Africa that perhaps our bodies weren't used to the food, the drinks or anything. I'm not sure what it was, but a lot of people had an upset stomach."
The 23-year-old contestant noted that this wasn't an isolated incident, recalling similar problems from previous seasons filmed in South Africa. "I know that from previous years in South Africa, like that was the case in their series as well," he added.
Echoes of Past Outbreaks
This revelation will undoubtedly concern fans of the popular reality show, particularly following similar reports from previous contestants. 2024 All Stars winner Molly Smith had previously described what she called a "tragic" food poisoning outbreak that left her cast "bed bound" and queuing for the notoriously scarce villa bathrooms.
Paradox of Excellent Food Quality
Despite the widespread digestive issues, Davies was quick to praise the culinary offerings in the villa, insisting the food was some of the best the show has ever served. "The food tasted amazing," he enthused. "It tasted a lot better than what we had in Mallorca, I remember it clear as day. The favourite was the chicken pot pie we had, it tasted unbelievable, it was so good."
The Welsh star elaborated on the menu, describing a variety of dishes that included chicken and rice, delicious curries, and jacket potatoes. "The food tasted really good, really good," he reiterated, creating a puzzling contrast with the reported health issues.
Unexpected Weather Challenges
If the menu impressed the contestants, the weather conditions certainly did not. Davies revealed that despite the idyllic South African backdrop, the villa was plagued by unexpectedly cold evenings and biting winds. "It was freezing, it was very windy," he recalled. "There were a few nights where it was very, very cold."
Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed evidence of these conditions, as female contestants were occasionally seen visibly shivering during nighttime challenges. Davies described how the women would emerge in their evening dresses only to retreat indoors minutes later, raiding the male contestants' cupboards for jackets to combat the chill.
A Winning Romance Against the Odds
These revelations come after Davies and Elishi, 26, were crowned champions of the ITV spin-off series, which sees former islanders return to the villa for another chance at finding love. Their victory followed a particularly fraught season packed with dramatic rows, bombshell arrivals, and explosive recouplings.
The couple's romance proved among the strongest of the season, with Elishi entering the villa as a late bombshell and quickly coupling up with Davies. Despite numerous challenges and new arrivals, their connection remained steadfast throughout the competition.
Taking Things Slowly Outside the Villa
While their on-screen romance captured viewers' hearts, Davies revealed that the couple are approaching their relationship cautiously now that filming has concluded. "We're not quite boyfriend and girlfriend yet," he explained. "We want to take it at our own pace, we're seeing each other and only each other, and we're taking it step by step."
The newly crowned winner outlined their immediate plans, including a date night at a nice Italian restaurant and a weekend in South Wales. "After this call, I'm heading up to London, I'm spending from Monday to Friday up there with Samie," he said. "The plan is Samie will then be coming back to South Wales with me for the weekend, and then we've got a whole weekend planned in South Wales with everything she wants to do, and I want to do."
Future Plans and Prize Money
When asked about his plans for the £50,000 prize money, Davies revealed ambitions for an international holiday. "We're trying to organise a holiday to Nashville, and hopefully we'll be able to meet up with the Americans as well, and obviously their couples, Millie, Whitney [Adebayo] and Helena [Ford] and just have a good time out there," he said.
The couple's victory was marked by emotional scenes, with Elishi breaking down in tears as she thanked viewers for their votes. The thrilled pair shared a celebratory kiss as host Maya Jama announced them as winners, struggling to contain their shock at the outcome.
As Love Island: All Stars continues to generate headlines, Davies' revelations about the behind-the-scenes health issues add a new dimension to understanding the challenges contestants face beyond the romantic drama and competitive elements that dominate the screen.
