Love Island star Matthew MacNabb reveals who thinks will win tonight

Find out what really happens when the cameras stop rolling 👇

Published 23rd Aug 2021
Last updated 23rd Aug 2021

Ahead of tonight’s Love Island final, Cool FM’s Sarah McKinley pulled Downpatrick’s very own islander Matthew MacNabb for ‘a quick chat’ over zoom and some iced coffee.

He’s the 6ft 6 gentle giant, that stole the nation’s hearts this summer with his quick wit, Irish charm and talented singing voice. If you know, you know 🤩

The Co Down heartthrob was left packing his Love Island suitcase two weeks ago, after a shock decision made by bombshell contestant Priya Gopaldas.

Fans didn’t take kindly to Matthew’s dumping, later voting Priya and her new partner Brett Staniland the ‘least compatible’ couple in the villa, meaning they too had to leave.

Looking back on his time in the villa, Matthew revealed some of the banter the islanders would have behind the scenes that not everyone got to see.

“We had general craic all the time, we were always laughing, it was so much fun. All the boys in there, even the girls, Chloe is hilarious, she’s the funniest girl, even the stories she tells. The general childish high school sort of craic we had was brilliant, you couldn’t put it on TV.”

Having spent the last 10 days stuck in quarantine, Matthew has the made the most of his time at home with press calls, endless zoom meetings and even the odd episode of Love Island.

When asked about the response here at home, Matt replied: “All the comments have been amazing, they’re really positive. I think I’ve seen one or two comments that said I was boring, I’m not boring, I’m actually fun to be around.”

Matthew opened up about the tragic loss of a close friend just before entering the villa. He met with a psychologist during his time on the show as he struggled to come to terms with his loss.

Ahead of this series, ITV announced their new duty of care protocols they’ve put in place to support contestants before, during, and after their time on the hit dating show.

“At one stage I was talking with my mum, I said I just wanted to go to America and be with my friends and be there for them. But the producers, the welfare staff and the psychologists were all there, they were so supportive.

“What ITV and Love Island do for you is incredible, it is next level, I’ve got psychological support for the next two/three years. They do this for all islanders, I think they’ve really stepped up to the mark.”

Looking ahead to tonight’s final Matt will enjoy a front row seat, from the comfort of his home in Downpatrick with his proud parents. “It’s bittersweet to be honest with you, it would have been so nice to have been in there. I keep watching Love Island every night, I miss the people in there and I miss the experience itself. It’s weird I get mad FOMO!”

After Jake and Liberty made the decision to leave the villa after ending their relationship, four couples have made it to the final.

Check out more exclusive Love Island gossip here 👇

Who will be crowned the winners of Love Island 2021:

Millie Court and Liam Reardon?

Chloe Burrows and Toby Aromolaran?

Faye Winter and Teddy Soares?

Kaz Kamwi and Tyler Cruickshank?

Fans will be given until 8.45pm tonight to vote, before receiving another free vote during the final at 9pm on ITV2.

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