Love Island winner makes bombshell All Stars return – and he’s already in the villa

LOVE Island’s next bombshell is heading into the villa with romance already brewing with another All Star.

The hunky lad has been tipped for the legends series from the off but has finally checked into the love nest.

Sammy Root, 23, has a past with Elma Pazar, 32, after they met on the Towie circuit so his arrival could not come at a better time for her after Ronnie Vint ditched her for Harriett Blackmore.

He’s been in holding in Cape Town for a while, but ITV2 bosses have put him in the villa at just the right time for him to rekindle early flames with Elma.

A source said: “Elma has said the attraction with Sammy was nothing more than flirtation as she’s conscious they have an age gap of nearly 10 years, but Love Island execs hope under the South African sun, love could bloom.

“Sammy is pals with a few of the lads too including Casey and Ron so will slot right in.

“He’s All Stars' second winner too, joining Ekin in that accolade.”

Sammy won series 10 of the ITV2 dating show alongside then-girlfriend Jess Harding.

However, the pair's romance didn't last, and they ended up splitting just three months after leaving the villa.

Jess told Sammy their relationship was over by phone - before news of their split leaked online while she was partying in Ibiza.

Sammy and Elma were rumoured to be dating in 2023, shortly before it was announced he was joining the cast of Towie.

The star was close friends with cast member Roman Hackett before joining the show, explaining his inclusion into the friend group.

At a dinner scene, the pair were seen enjoying flirty banter together, making it seem like sparks were flying between them.

However, Elma later shut those rumours down, exclusively revealing to The Sun he was connected to someone else.

"Sammy is getting close to Livvy, she's new and so is he," she told us.

"He's getting close to her. I've known Sammy for a little while, I've met him on a few occasions and he's a lovely boy."

She laughed: "But he's not interested in me, he doesn't love me."

By the time she entered the villa for All Stars, she was still unconvinced - citing his young age for the reason she wouldn't crack on with him.

"We were flirty and Sammy is always flirty," she told The Sun and other press.

"If he was a bombshell, he’s still quite young. I know I always say that I’m not fussed about age to a certain extent, I can flirt with Sammy but I don’t think I can see anything with Sammy.

"I want a geezer that’s going to want what I want and I don’t think I can see Sammy wanting what I want."

Love Island All Stars continues at 9pm on ITV2.