The Love Islanders felt the heat last week in the explosive fallout of Casa Amor – but one person who appeared to keep their cool in the wake of the drama was bubbly blonde Jess Harding.
The London-based aesthetics practitioner, 22, chose to return to the main villa single – and despite seeing her former flame Sammy Root coupled up with Amber Wise, she had nothing but kind words to say to him. “Obviously your head got turned, but I am happy for you,” she said.
Sammy – who snogged bombshells Amber and Gabby within minutes of each other during his time away from Jess – later said he couldn’t stop thinking about her during their time apart and that they had something “special”.
But fed up of being in a triangle, Jess finally decided to give Sammy an ultimatum – much to mum Sarah’s approval.
Here, Sarah tells OK! why she believes Sammy has genuine feelings for her daughter, and whether or not he’s welcome in the Harding household…
Hi, Sarah! How have you found watching Jess’s Love Island journey so far?
I am so proud of her. She’s coming across completely as herself – there’s no fakeness there. She’s just being her and it’s lovely to see.
Were you surprised at how well she handled herself at the Casa Amor recoupling?
I was a little surprised, to be honest – she went up in my estimations! What she said was really fair and very mature of her.
And Jess issued Sammy with an ultimatum…
I think it’s only fair that he had to make a decision. If it’s meant to be, they will work it out – and I’m sure they will.
Sammy said he was thinking about Jess the whole time she was in Casa Amor. Do you believe him?
I want to believe him. Like Jess, I’m a glass-half-full person and will always give someone the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise. I will always try to see the good in people and believe the nicer things. If it tuns out to be a fib, then silly me.
Has Jess ever been in a similar situation on the outside?
Yes. She’ll have a cry but is very good at letting things go. She’ll go to bed upset but then wake up and go, “Right, it’s a new day.” She’ll only take so much, though.
Do the rest of the family think Sammy is the man for her?
We’re all warming to him as time goes on. I had my reservations but I really do believe he likes her – you can tell by his face when she’s not in the room. We’re all so proud and we just laugh at all her funny sayings. Jess’s nan and grandad, who are both in their late eighties, are glued to the telly and love watching her every night.
Will Sammy be welcome in your home?
I’m full of banter like Jess, so I’d give him a grilling and a hard time. But he’d be welcome!
Do you think Jess and Sammy would last in the outside world when they leave the villa?
Only time will tell.
Is there another Islander you think would be better suited to Jess?
None of them. Mitch [Taylor] is lovely in his own way and makes us laugh, but he’s not for her. And Kodie [Murphy, from Casa Amor] is the spitting image of Jess’s brother – it’s hilarious!
Jess has been single for two years. Why do you think she hasn’t found love?
Nobody has matched up to her expectations. She says she wants a bad boy but, deep down, I don’t think that’s what she really wants. None of the guys she’s dated have been bad boys. I think it’s more about having a bad boy image than being a bad boy.
Has she ever been heartbroken?
Yes, and she gets upset when she’s not being treated nicely. She soon brushes herself off and moves on. But she will only take so much and then that’s it. She doesn’t go looking for the drama – but she won’t take any crap!
Jess is proving to be popular because of her sense of humour. Is she always so funny?
Even more so! We’ll all be sat there watching TV and she’ll just run into the room and go, “Five, six, seven, eight!” and start doing a random dance routine.
Jess owns her own business. Has she always had an entrepreneurial spirit?
When she left school, she didn’t know what she wanted to do. But she got interested in aesthetics and now she’s found her forte. She’s come out of her shell and now she’s flying. She is very good at what she does.
Are you happy for her to have a few tweakments?
Well, she’s 22 and an adult. It’s up to her. Personally, I don’t think she should at her age. But she hasn’t had much done, just some lip filler and a bit of Botox in her forehead – which she really doesn’t need!
You’ve had your own taste of fame. Tell us more…
We lived in Spain for seven years when the kids were little, and Jess and her sister were at a stage school. The school wanted extras to appear in some nightclub scenes for The Business with Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan. Hassan comes into the nightclub and gives me a kiss!
Love Island airs Sunday-Friday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
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