In a cringe-worthy moment broadcast live to millions, Love Island: All Stars host Maya Jama committed a significant on-air blunder just moments before revealing the show's winners on Monday night. The 31-year-old presenter accidentally confused contestant Ciaran Davies, aged 23, with former islander Curtis Pritchard, 30, during the tense final announcement.
The Live Television Mix-Up
During the crucial live segment, Maya Jama addressed the public, stating: 'Samie and Curtis, Millie and Zac - make some noise.' The error prompted immediate laughter from finalists Samie Elishi, 26, and Ciaran Davies, who were visibly shocked by the mistaken identity. Maya quickly interrupted herself to correct the slip, saying: 'Samie and Ciaran. I'm sorry. The fridge was on my brain.'
Viewer Reactions and Social Media Commentary
Viewers rapidly took to social media platform X to comment on the embarrassing mistake, with many suggesting the confusion stemmed from Ciaran being 'unmemorable' throughout the season. One user wrote: 'Maya calling him Curtis is just proof they've been unmemorable this whole season,' while another commented: 'The boring couple have won Samie & “Curtis” maya even forgot his name.'
Additional social media reactions included: 'Curtis just cha-chad his way into the final thanks Maya,' and 'Not Maya calling Ciaran 'Curtis' live on air that's the real plot twist we needed.' The consensus among many viewers was that Maya's error revealed much about the couple's perceived lack of impact during the series.
The Winning Moment
Despite the awkward introduction, Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies were ultimately crowned champions of Love Island: All Stars 2026 following a tense public vote. The couple defeated runners-up Millie Court and Zac Woodworth to claim the £50,000 prize money. Upon hearing their victory announced, Samie broke down in tears, emotionally thanking viewers for their support before sharing a celebratory kiss with Ciaran.
Background to the Confusion
The mix-up may have been influenced by Curtis Pritchard's presence at the final. The former contestant, who exited the villa several weeks earlier after failing to develop a romance with Millie Court, returned to watch the climax of the series. His appearance in the audience likely contributed to Maya's mental slip during the high-pressure live broadcast.
The Champions' Journey
Samie and Ciaran coupled up shortly after Samie entered the villa as a bombshell contestant. Despite numerous late arrivals and dramatic twists throughout the series, their romance proved to be the strongest and most enduring of the competition. Speaking to host Maya Jama before their victory was announced, Ciaran confessed he knew Samie was 'a bit of him' mere minutes after she entered the villa.
Samie agreed with her partner's assessment, admitting that while other male bombshells entered the competition, none managed to capture her attention. She added: 'No offence to anyone who came in but they didn't even touch the sides compared to Ciaran.'
Relationship Challenges
The couple's journey wasn't entirely smooth, as Ciaran briefly coupled up with fellow contestant Lucinda after her villa entry, creating tensions between the two women. This culminated in a significant argument following the Snog, Marry, Pie show challenge. Reflecting on this period, Ciaran later said: 'Looking back at it, me and Samie have spoken about this and to see her that upset, I didn’t realise at the time how upset I made her, until two weeks after, which was really hard to hear.'
Runners-Up Plans
Before being announced as runners-up, Millie Court revealed that Zac Woodworth hoped to spend 'a month or two' with her in the United Kingdom, with Millie planning to reunite with him later in the United States. The couple expressed their commitment to continuing their relationship beyond the villa environment.
The Love Island: All Stars final delivered both dramatic tension and unexpected humor through Maya Jama's memorable blunder, creating a television moment that will likely be discussed by fans long after the series concludes. The incident highlights the pressures of live broadcasting while adding an unscripted element to the carefully produced reality competition.
