LOVE Island’s Whitney Adebayo and Yamen Sanders have been keeping fans guessing over their relationship status for the past few weeks.

But it seems that their “split” was actually part of a clever plan.

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There is a shocking reason behind Whitney and Yamen split rumoursCredit: Instagram
 

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The pair started sharing cryptic posts about being single on their social mediaCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
The pair confirmed on Wednesday that they were still very much a couple as they posted loved-up snaps together while on a date night.

But now The Sun can reveal the real reason Yamen and Whitney appeared to stage a break-up.

Yamen, who filmed Netflix’s dating series Perfect Match before going on Love Island All Stars, is said to have ruffled the streaming bosses feathers after he appeared on the ITV2 show this summer, before Netflix had even aired Perfect Match.

During his time on Love Island, Yamen found love with Whitney and have been regularly posting photos and videos of each other on social media.

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The pair decided to keep their romance on the down-low in bid to do ‘damage control’Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
 

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Insiders said Whitney was not best pleased with the strategic move, but went along with it for her manCredit: Instagram
But the pair went mysteriously quiet, which prompted fans to suspect that they had called time on their relationship.

However, insiders have now said the reality hunk and girlfriend Whitney decided to keep their romance on the down-low ahead Perfect Match’s launch, all part of a “damage control” move.

A friend of Whitney’s tells The Sun: “The truth is, Whitney and Yamen had never split, but they wanted it fans to think they had.

“This is all because Yamen got into hot water with Netflix bosses for even going on Love Island in the first place, as he filmed Perfect Match before Love Island but it aired afterwards.

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“He wasn’t meant to do another dating show before Perfect Match aired, as it would give away the outcome that he didn’t meet anyone serious on the show.

“When Perfect Match launch date was announced, Yamen and Whitney deliberately posted less together on socials and went very quiet, allowing the rumour mill to take hold.”

We are told that Whitney wasn’t best pleased with the move, but went along with it for her man.

It even went as far as the pair posting quotes to give the impression that they were no longer an item.

“They even shared some misleading and cryptic captions that gave the impression they had fallen out and were no longer together,” the source told us.

“This is because they Yamen to appease Netflix by making it look to viewers who might mistakenly think Perfect Match filmed after Love Island that Yamen was single again.

“Whitney wasn’t thrilled about going along with it, but she was happy to let the speculation run rife for a bit for her man’s sake as she knows annoying a streaming giant like Netlflix is not ideal – especially as she has previously worked with them on the reality show Inside.

“Once Perfect Match had been streaming for a while and had got the buzz it needed, they quietly started posting together again and Whit flew over to LA for a holiday with him.

“It was basically a form of damage control, although it didn’t last that long.”

The couple ended fifth place, with Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies bagging the win over the other couples, this season.

However, sources had claimed the couple had called time on their long-distance relationship.

Whitney also sparked speculation among fans after sharing a cryptic clip online referencing newly single Millie Court.

While Yamen also posted a clip about him insinuating he was a single guy.

Earlier this week, the pair took to social media to hit back at the rumours with a series of gorgeous snaps of themselves.

Whitney stated in the comments: “Still my favorite type of drama,” and Yamen wrote: “Still here.”

Whitney and Yamen recently dropped hints that they were back together after all the split rumours.

American bombshell Yamen is currently appearing on Perfect Match, which was pre-filmed back in November 2025.

But due to his Netflix contract, Yamen was unable to post Whitney on his social media – but he shared a very telling clip.

Taking to TikTok, he posted a video of him sitting at a table with his phone to his ear.

He wrote in text across the clip: “Her: Long distance is hard, I miss you.”

The Sun has contacted representatives for Whitney and Yamen for comment.