WHEN Cape Town wildfires dashed the launch of Love Island All Stars, critics suggested it was a foreboding omen for the long-running dating show.

But far from going down in flames, the ITV2 stalwart tonight wraps on a ratings-winning run for the legends spin-off.

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Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies mop up third placeCredit: ITV
 

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Lucinda and her sweet shop owner partner Sean are backed by 28.8 per centCredit: ITV
 

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It’s not looking good for Belle Hassan and Harrison SolomonCredit: ITV
According to my exclusive poll of Sun readers, after kicking off three days late due to the fires the series has gone on to win over Love Island fans.

Now tomorrow night’s finale comes down to two Love Island professionals, Lucinda Strafford and Scott Van Der Sluis.

Lucinda’s first go was in 2019, then she went on to star on the Australian spin-off plus won international Love Island Games this summer.

Scott appeared in 2023, then in the same year took on Love Island USA and Games.

Now just one per cent separates the two in our Sun Readers poll as fans’ winner.

Lucinda and her sweet shop owner partner Sean are backed by 28.8 per cent, whilst Scott and Leanna Amaning have 27.7 per cent.

Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies mop up third place.

Ironically, though, Lucinda and Sean are named as one of the couples deemed to be “faking it” for cameras with 37 per cent lodging the opinion.

It’s not looking good for Belle Hassan and Harrison Solomon either, who are ranked biggest fakers with 42 per cent, least likely to win with only three per cent of the vote and only two per cent think they will last back in the UK.

Elsewhere the action in the villa has been ranked highly, with 35 per cent giving the series four stars, and 28 per cent giving it a five star rating.

Believe it or not, only six per cent gave it one star – and a lot of that is down to superstar host Maya Jama.

Some 75 per cent rated her work this run – the highest since she took on the job in 2023.

It’s a far cry from reality show’s fallow years, when in 2023 some 37 per cent said in our poll it should be scrapped altogether.

The boom’s been reflected in ratings too, with one modern twist.

The series has been streamed 80 million times on ITVX, where 58 per cent of its fans now tune in.

It sounds like the real winner of All Stars, though, is Maya.

Watch the Love Island All Stars live final on Monday night at 9pm on ITV2.

FRANCHISE FIRST

THE SERIES’ Villa USA twist was a global first for the franchise, as six American All Stars arrived en masse to try and turn heads.

It managed to spawn two real love stories, with Yank Yamen Sanders finding love with Brit star Whitney Adebayo and Zac Woodworth with UK champ MIlle Court.

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Whitney and Yamen are backed by only four per cent for the winCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
But our readers don’t think either couple works.

Whitney and Yamen are backed by only four per cent for the win in our Sun readers’ poll – despite only three per cent thinking they’re faking their connection.

It’s down to the long distance, as Yamen is based in Los Angeles whilst Whitney lives in London’s Camden.

Fans don’t think another transatlantic pair, Millie Court and Zac Woodworth, will make it either, as only 13 per cent reckon they will succeed on the outside.

The couples tipped to last are Samie and Ciaran with 35 per cent, then Leanne and Scott with 30 per cent.

FIREPIT SHOWDOWN

VIEWERS tonight will see the ex-Islanders return to villa to vote out one couple in an explosive firepit showdown.

And I can reveal the moment was carefully crafted by the dumped cast themselves.

A source told me: “Of course the returning cast want one last chance at stealing the spotlight but many of them felt like there were scores to settle.

“The girls in particular all felt very protective of 2025 star Lauren Wood, who Harrison was secretly dating on the outside but dumped to join All Stars – without even telling her.

“The girls had got together and planned to expose Harrison and the scene didn’t disappoint when it played out for real.”

In the trailer, AJ Bunker begins the charge, and was seen saying: “I’ve been on the outside, I’ve seen things – break-ups or not break-ups…not telling a certain person…”

Charlie Frederick went for Scott, whilst Shaq Muhammad warns Sean that Lucinda isn’t genuine.

FANS LOVE THE DRAMA

IT’S been an explosive series – attracting over 12,000 Ofcom complaints as viewers flagged concerns over rows and bust-ups.

But in my poll some 39 per cent said they “loved” the drama and added: “The more the merrier.”

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Jack Keating memorably quoted his Boyzone dad Ronan Keating’s track unironicallyCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
45 per cent said they liked a balance of drama and love, which is handy cos the series broke records for the latter too.

There were the most kisses ever – with more than 50 snogs featured in the first four days.

But my top moment belongs to Islander Jack Keating, who unironically quoted his Boyzone dad Ronan Keating‘s track Life Is A Rollercoaster in one pep talk to a pal.

One for the ages.

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A huge proportion of fans think Maya Jama is amazing as Love Island hostCredit: instagram/mayajama