Love Island Star Matilda-June Draper and TOWIE's Roman Hackett End Year-Long Romance
In an exclusive revelation, the Daily Mail has confirmed that Matilda-June Draper, who gained fame on Love Island in 2024, has split from Roman Hackett, a star of The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE). The couple, who had been together for approximately a year, have decided to go their separate ways, though they remain on amicable terms.
From Inseparable to Parting Ways
The romance began when Matilda, aged 25, joined Roman, 24, during filming for TOWIE, following her brief relationship with Sean Stone after her stint on Love Island. Their bond deepened significantly last July when they were baptised together, a move they described as a faith-based effort to overcome shared social anxieties. An insider close to the pair stated: 'Matilda and Roman were inseparable and, despite their age, friends believed they were in it for the long haul. But they split earlier this month - there was no cheating involved, they had simply grown apart and decided to go their separate ways.'
Public Glimpses and Personal Struggles
Matilda frequently shared details of their relationship on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, including heartfelt moments from their baptism journey. In a video posted last July, she expressed: 'When everything felt hopeless, God showed up.' She elaborated on her past struggles with social anxiety, noting how it impacted her relationships and daily life, but found solace after turning to faith with Roman. The clip captured the couple sharing a passionate kiss as they committed to their religious path together.
Broader Context and Future Paths
This split comes as Matilda's ex, Sean Stone, has moved on, returning to the Love Island villa for the All Stars series and now being in a relationship with Lucinda Strafford. Despite facing criticism from fellow Islanders and viewers during filming, Sean and Lucinda have reportedly strengthened their bond since the show ended. For Matilda and Roman, their decision to part ways marks the end of a chapter that was once filled with public declarations of faith and closeness, but ultimately led to a mutual agreement to pursue individual futures.
