Sammy Root has finally spoken out about love, loss, and life after Love Island, marking the first time he's addressed his recent split from Elma Pazar. The 23-year-old Love Island winner got real about heartbreak and staying true to himself despite the ups and downs of fame and romance, just weeks after his split.
Sammy, who rose to fame after winning Love Island 2023 alongside Jess Harding, appeared on Love Island: All Stars earlier this year, where he was re-coupled with Elma. The pair looked smitten in the villa, sparking hope among fans that Sammy had finally found lasting love.
But just months after the show wrapped, the duo called it quits — with neither party speaking publicly about what went wrong. Until now.
The "raw and emotional" scenes are said to have been filmed for the latest series of The Only Way Is Essex and are set to air later in the year. In the footage, that will air on ITV2 and ITVX, it's claimed viewers will see the split isn't "straightforward".
While Sammy didn’t name names, his reflections on love hint at a deeper emotional truth. When asked whether Love Island has changed his perception of love, the reality star said: “I will always enter every situation with the same mindset. I was brought up very old-fashioned by my parents. Like, you treat a woman like a princess, and I’ll always do that. I’ll always be the same me. And listen, sometimes it’s gonna work out, sometimes it’s not.”
Despite two stints on Love Island, a public breakup, and the pressures of fame, he remains hopeful: “Hopefully one day I’ll find that person.”
The cheeky Essex lad also dished on what really went down in the villa. From saucy games to iconic challenges, Sammy admitted he absolutely loved every second. “If we got a text that we were playing a game, I’d be gassed,” he said. “Even the heart rate challenge – the boys would be terrified, but I’d be like, ‘Yeah, let’s get going.’”
Unlike other Islanders who dread the drama of “Snog, Marry, Pie,” Sammy thrived on it. “That was probably my highlight, to be honest,” he laughed. “I love playing the games.”
Sammy first burst onto our screens during Love Island 2023, when he entered as a bombshell on day four of the series. Jess Harding the pair went on to win the series - although they split just months later.
In January 2025, Sammy returned for Love Island: All Stars, where he rekindled a spark with Elma Pazar. Though the romance fizzled post-villa, fans praised Sammy for showing more vulnerability and growth this time around.
Looking ahead, the former Islander now has his own business, The Watch Draws. While many other islanders go on to do more presenting, Sammy ventured into something that he finds “rewarding”.
“I get to give people a chance to win life-changing prizes. I recently gave away a £25,000 watch. It’s exciting for people and meaningful to me. I’ve done a lot of charity work, and honestly, I just love the feeling of doing something good. So I thought, how can I make a living and give back? It’s fun and it’s meaningful.”
And on any more TV? “I mean, it's not even so much that I don't want to be on TV anymore. It’s more just like… when I’m in my 30s or 40s, I’d want to take a step back. I'm still very young, so there’s not really a show that I wouldn’t do. I definitely lean toward the more active, game-type shows. So, yeah, like Strictly or SAS or something—even I’m A Celeb would be a great one. But I think I’d struggle because I’m absolutely terrified of spiders.”
