Love Island final – talking points: Davide and Ekin-Su crowned winners as Luca and Gemma come second

After eight weeks, plenty of grafting, lots of snogging – and even a little bit of crawling – the 2022 series of Love Island has drawn to a close.

Sunday night’s episode (31 July) saw Paige and Adam dumped from the villa ahead of the final after being voted least compatible by their fellow islanders and the public.

On Monday night (1 August), it was announced that Andrew and Tasha came in fourth place, and Dami and Indiyah came third, meaning the last two couples battling it out to bag the £50,000 prize were Davide and Ekin-Su, and Luca and Gemma.

After perhaps the longest dramatic pause in the history of reality TV, Davide and Ekin-Su were announced as the 2022 champions, taking the throne from last year’s winners, Millie and Liam.

Davide and Ekin-Su, who have spoken out for the first time after winning the series, were the bookies’ favourites to win this series. The pair’s best moments over the past couple of months have included Davide’s unconventional approach to the baby challenge, their brief separation when Ekin-Su crawled along the terrace for a covert kiss with Jay, and Davide choosing Ekin-Su’s banana pancakes as his favourite (take that Nathalia!).

Take a look back at the series highlights here. We also have a ranking of every Love Island series here and a round-up of all the previous winners here.

Read on for the biggest talking points from the final...

Ekinde’s love

The Italian stallion and the Turkish delight were by far the favourites to win this series and, in the final, their declarations to each other did not disappoint. “The first evening I entered the villa, I saw your face, and the spark was instant,” Ekin-Su told Davide. “Its been a hell of a ride for us, but things don’t come easy... Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither were we.” Davide told Ekin-Su: “It seems like we’ve known each other forever... when two souls are destined to be together they cannot escape each other… We have a world to enjoy together and I’m so excited about what the future holds for us.” Iconic.

Tasha’s superpower

Tasha uses a cochlear implant, having been born deaf and receiving her implant at the age of five. Throughout the series, she’s talked about how her deafness is “not a disability” but “a superpower”. When Andrew mentioned this was part of the reason he fell in love with her, it was simply too much to handle. Here’s the moment again...

Luca’s tears

Luca was in bits as he read his declaration to Gemma. It hasn’t been plain sailing for the pair on the series, with lots of bickering and stubborness along the way. Gemma managed to hold it together in her declaration, but Luca couldn’t keep back the tears. Apparently he has a whole day planned out for when he meets her family after they leave the villa – it’s all in a bid to get their seal of approval so he and Gemma can finally become official.

Dami’s shaking hands

Dami’s not the overtly emotional type, so it was quite something to see his hands quivering as he told Indiyah how much she means to him. Another absolute highlight from these two in the final (even though it was a flashback) was the replay of Indiyah playing recorder at the talent show. A moment that will go down in Love Island history.

Useful links

• How to vote on the ITV2 show using the app

• A look back over Love Island 2022’s best moments

• Meet the final four couples competing to win £50,000 prize

The day of the final is here at last

Monday 1 August 2022 17:37 , Ellie Harrison

Love Island 2022 is drawing to a close, meaning we can all get our lives back!

To get us in the mood – and up to date – ahead of the finale, here’s a look at what went down on Sunday night’s episode, which saw the contestants reunite with their loved ones.

Tasha’s dad went down especially well with viewers...

Love Island viewers praise Tasha’s dad after ‘meet the parents’ episode

Meet the final four couples

Monday 1 August 2022 17:59 , Ellie Harrison

With Adam and Paige booted out of the villa, there are just four couples left in the competition: Luca and Gemma, Dami and Indiyah, Ekin-Su and Davide, and Andrew and Tasha.

Read more about them here...

Meet the final couples competing to win Love Island 2022

Something for the Ekin-Su fans...

Monday 1 August 2022 18:30 , Ellie Harrison

Our deputy travel editor Lucy Thackray reckons Ekin-Su is the best contestant to have ever graced the Majorcan villa.

Find out why below...

Why Ekin-Su is the greatest Love Island contestant of all time

Just two hours to go...

Monday 1 August 2022 19:00 , Ellie Harrison

To celebrate the two-hour countdown, here is my favourite still from the series...

Davide and Ekin-Su are the favourites

Monday 1 August 2022 19:30 , Ellie Harrison

Just 90 minutes now until the finale kicks off, and according to the bookies, Davide and Ekin-Su are odds-on to win, with William Hill placing the pair at 1/10. Andrew and Tasha are currently at 10/1, Luca and Gemma are at 12/1 and Dami and Indiyah are at 20/1...

The show is being criticised ahead of the finale

Monday 1 August 2022 20:00 , Ellie Harrison

While there’s a lot of excitement for the finale, and many viewers will miss the series, many others have criticised Love Island bosses for an Aftersun montage that showed former contestant Danica being repeatedly rejected.

Read more here...

Love Island viewers criticise show for ‘embarrassing’ Danica with rejection montage

30-minute warning!

Monday 1 August 2022 20:30 , Ellie Harrison

Just half an hour to go until the Love Island 2022 finale kicks off. Here’s a throwback to the biggest moments of the series to refresh your memory...

A look back over Love Island 2022’s best moments

With Davide and Ekin-Su the favourites to win...

Monday 1 August 2022 20:59 , Ellie Harrison

... here’s some excellent Davide Dad content...

Love Island fans heap praise on Davide after his performance in the baby challenge

Monday 1 August 2022 21:03 , Ellie Harrison

Aaaaand we’re off

Monday 1 August 2022 21:06 , Ellie Harrison

It’s a champagne breakfast for the islanders on the final day... real life is going to be a shock

Monday 1 August 2022 21:06 , Ellie Harrison

The islanders have got a text - they’ll be heading off to the Summer Ball tonight

Monday 1 August 2022 21:09 , Ellie Harrison

The islanders are learning to do “spicy” Latin dancing and let’s just say some are taking to it more naturally than others

Monday 1 August 2022 21:11 , Ellie Harrison

Ekin-Su just did her best RP accent and now I’m certain a campaign is going to begin for an her to have a cameo in Bridgerton. I can see the memes already

Monday 1 August 2022 21:13 , Ellie Harrison

Lots of people are tweeting their votes out already! Here’s how you can cast yours...

How to vote for your favourite Love Island contestants

Monday 1 August 2022 21:15 , Ellie Harrison

If you just want to inhale more Love Island content in the ad break... here’s a first look at what’s to come tonight

Monday 1 August 2022 21:17 , Ellie Harrison

It must be so strange for the islanders having the villa full of people... who aren’t even wearing bikinis

Monday 1 August 2022 21:18 , Ellie Harrison

“Who needs men?” the girls ask themselves at their spa day. Hang on a minute, I thought this series was about all about finding a man to love

Monday 1 August 2022 21:19 , Ellie Harrison

“We can go as cringey as we want with these, can’t we?” asks Ekin-Su, as the girls write their final declarations for the boys. Cannot wait to hear them

Monday 1 August 2022 21:21 , Ellie Harrison

The girls look unreal. The boys look absolutely petrified

Monday 1 August 2022 21:22 , Ellie Harrison

Tasha’s got a Bond girl thing going on

Monday 1 August 2022 21:23 , Ellie Harrison

Correct:

Monday 1 August 2022 21:29 , Ellie Harrison

Wheyyy!! Banter’s already had its first mention in a Love Island declaration. Thanks Gemma

Monday 1 August 2022 21:31 , Ellie Harrison

Luca was very emotional there!

Monday 1 August 2022 21:33 , Ellie Harrison

Dami’s hands are shaking and it’s too much

Monday 1 August 2022 21:36 , Ellie Harrison

These speeches have been absolutely packed with similes and metaphors

Monday 1 August 2022 21:38 , Ellie Harrison

Tasha quoted her dad in her declaration to Andrew. Here’s some Tasha’s dad content...

Love Island viewers praise Tasha’s dad after ‘meet the parents’ episode

Monday 1 August 2022 21:39 , Ellie Harrison

OK I’m a wreck

Monday 1 August 2022 21:43 , Ellie Harrison

This:

Monday 1 August 2022 21:44 , Ellie Harrison

The vote closes in eight minutes! Get those votes in...

How to vote for your favourite Love Island contestants

Monday 1 August 2022 21:48 , Ellie Harrison

Is “I licked her tit or whatever?” the quote of the series? Yes. Yes it is

Monday 1 August 2022 21:52 , Ellie Harrison

Ahaha Indiyah’s recorder moment was iconic. Let’s see that again...

Monday 1 August 2022 21:53 , Ellie Harrison

Voting is now closed! Fourth place couple will be announced after the break...

Monday 1 August 2022 21:58 , Ellie Harrison

The results of the votes are innnnn

Monday 1 August 2022 21:59 , Ellie Harrison

The couple in fourth place is Tasha and Andrew!!!!!

Monday 1 August 2022 22:03 , Ellie Harrison

Andrew says ‘I feel like I’ve won anyway’ because he gets to leave with Tasha

Monday 1 August 2022 22:04 , Ellie Harrison

The couple in third place is............... Indiyah and Dami!!!

Monday 1 August 2022 22:05 , Ellie Harrison

Dami: “I feel like it’s been a movie, or should I say TV show...”

Monday 1 August 2022 22:08 , Ellie Harrison

Aw they were so chuffed with the parents of the year award

Monday 1 August 2022 22:09 , Ellie Harrison

The winning couple will be crowned after the break... not long now!

Monday 1 August 2022 22:14 , Ellie Harrison

The winning couple of Love Island 2022 is.......................... Rebekah Vardy’s account............................................. (just kidding)

Monday 1 August 2022 22:18 , Ellie Harrison

Pleeeeease make a show about Ekin-Su’s Italy trip

Monday 1 August 2022 22:20 , Ellie Harrison

Ekin-Su’s face here is brilliant:

Monday 1 August 2022 22:24 , Ellie Harrison

Oh Luca, the supermarket is gonna be a very different experience from here on out

Monday 1 August 2022 22:28 , Ellie Harrison

Woah:

Monday 1 August 2022 22:30 , Ellie Harrison

Right, here we go, winner announcement is imminent. No more ad breaks...

Monday 1 August 2022 22:33 , Ellie Harrison

DAVIDE AND EKIN-SU ARE THE WINNERSSSSS! What a time to be alive

Monday 1 August 2022 22:40 , Ellie Harrison

That’s it from me tonight! Closing the blog and having a much-needed glass of wine. Look out for talking points in the next few minutes...