Ovie Soko, 28, has been a fan favourite on Love Island 2019 since he made his debut in Casa Amor last month where he coupled up with Anna Vakili, 29. The basketball hunk has since partnered up with model India Reynolds, 28, as the pair go head-to-head in the final with three other couples tonight – Curtis Pritchard, 23 and Maura Higgins, 28, Molly-Mae Hague, 20, and Tommy Fury, 20, and Amber Gill, 21, and Greg O’Shea, 24. However, have Ovie’s chances of winning the Love Island 2019 final turned slim after being coupled with the vegan chef India? Relationship expert Hayley Quinn suggested otherwise and the couple are “stronger than ever” but this is not without some concern.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Hayley said: “This year the contest still seems wide open – anyone could win.
“Tommy and Molly-Mae have been together the longest, similar to last year’s winners Jack and Dani. However, both Amber and Ovie have strong fan bases.”
She explained: “Ovie’s chances could be cut, though, by his pairing with India who last week joked, ‘Sorry, I’m not here for the 6’7″. I’m only here for the 50k.’
“Recently she seems to have back tracked saying, ‘…there are easier ways to make £50k.’”
The relationship expert hinted the headline challenge may have limited the couple’s chances.
“Whilst after the headline challenge you can understand why India may feel some need to defend herself, she also has made the most direct references to the prize money, which indicates it’s on her mind the most,” Hayley explained.
It comes after a recent episode of the show, where viewers watched the brutal challenge as the islanders were exposed to various headlines by UK news outlets.
The islanders had to fill in the gaps and guess which contestants the showbiz stories related too which in turn ruffled some feathers.
Surprisingly, Ovie appeared most impacted after Chris Taylor, 28, and Harley Brash, 20, read out the headline: “Love Island fans accuse [BLANK] of only liking [BLANK] to win the £50k.”
The headline claimed India was only partnered with Ovie to win the £50,000 prize fund.
Speaking to his pal Amber, later that day, the basketball player said: “As an athlete, people use you…a lot.”
She reassured Ovie, saying: “From my point of view, she [India] seems like a nice girl. I don’t get that vibe from her.”
Speaking about Ovie’s character, the relationship expert said: “Ovie has consistently impressed people with his ability to remain calm and positive.
“There have been a lot of small tells of his good character: from looking after India during Anna and Jordan’s row, to being warm and affectionate towards his family.
“He is also okay with emotional vulnerability, claiming to be ‘nervous’ about meeting India’s family.”
But the dating expert has suggested her main concern is when the athlete admitted to being “used a lot” meant he became “cautious” of his romance with India.
“My only concern for Ovie isn’t to do with his ability to form relationships, but the fact he has said, ‘as an athlete, people use you…a lot,’” Hayley explained.
“Being used to being taken advantage of for his success means he felt cautious after Love Island’s infamous headline challenge.”
Meanwhile, the show’s final airs tonight where one of the remaining four couples will be crowned the winners.
The Love Island live final airs tonight at 9pm on ITV2.
Match’s dating expert, Hayley Quinn shares her expert opinion on this year’s Love Island, questioning the compatibility of certain couples and whether some are more committed than others.
