Ovie Soko, the beloved Love Island season 5 star, has announced his retirement from professional basketball at age 35, while also hinting at a secret marriage. The former Casa Amor bombshell, who finished third in the 2019 series with India Reynolds, has since transitioned into television and modelling.
Retirement from Basketball
Soko's team, the London Lions, confirmed his departure with a heartfelt tribute. The club stated: "Ovie Soko gave everything for this club and helped create moments that will live with London Lions fans forever. More than that, he helped shine a brighter spotlight on British basketball - inspiring a new generation of fans and bringing fresh eyes to the game." The Lions added: "Thank you for the passion, the leadership, the energy and the unforgettable moments. Your impact reaches far beyond the box score."
Television Career
Since Love Island, Soko has appeared on shows including Stand Up to Cancer's Great British Celebrity Bake Off and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. During his Celebrity SAS stint, he accidentally dislocated rugby star Chris Robshaw's shoulder during a boxing task, forcing Robshaw to leave the show. Soko also presented a BBC documentary, Ovie: Life After Reality TV, exploring the pressures of sudden fame, featuring interviews with TOWIE's Mario Falcone and fellow Love Islanders Alex and Olivia Bowen.
Modelling and Design
More recently, Soko has pursued modelling and brands himself as a "designer" and "creative mind."
Personal Life: A Secret 'Wife'
Soko has kept his personal life private, but during a Twitch stream earlier this year with fellow Islander Tyrique Hyde, he revealed he is "in a good situation." When Hyde pressed, asking if there was "a little something at home," Soko replied: "No, it's not a little something. It's a good situation." Hyde then asked: "So it's a big something at home?" to which Soko declared: "A wife."
Love Island Legacy
Soko appeared in season 5 alongside Tommy Fury, Molly-Mae Hague, Curtis Pritchard, and Maura Higgins. He reached the final with India Reynolds, finishing third behind winners Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea. Soko and Reynolds split months after the show. Meanwhile, Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague, who came second, welcomed their second child in June 2026.
