Priya Jaswal and Aidan Murphy, one of the most talked about couples from Love Island series 13, have confirmed they are no longer together. Both posted separate statements on their Instagram Stories on Monday, September 8, 2026, explaining that after spending time together outside the villa, they realized they are better suited as friends.
The split comes just six weeks after the series 13 final and makes them the second confirmed breakup from the 2026 cast, following Yasmin Hadlow and Tommy Stagg earlier this week. It also follows weeks of speculation about whether the pair’s post-villa romance was genuine, including public allegations from fellow cast member Carlos that both were seen flirting with other people at a party in August.
This article covers what Priya and Aidan said in their statements, the full arc of their relationship inside and outside the villa, the controversies that followed them, and where their split fits in the broader context of Love Island’s post-show breakup history.
What Priya and Aidan Said in Their Breakup Statements
Both shared individual statements on their Instagram Stories on September 8, 2026. Each confirmed the split and said the decision came down to realizing they worked better as friends than as a romantic couple.
Priya wrote that meeting Aidan was “a special part of my Love Island journey” and said she would always be grateful for the time they spent getting to know each other. She said that since leaving the villa and experiencing life outside together, they had realized they were better suited as friends.
Aidan posted a similar message, sending Priya his best wishes and describing the split as mutual and amicable.
The tone of both statements was warm and direct, with neither assigning blame or referencing any of the public controversies that had surrounded their relationship in recent weeks.
Love Island couple split days after ‘inseparable’ revelation pic.twitter.com/Y7XfH7QWZI
— The Sun (@TheSun) September 8, 2026
How Their Relationship Began: From Friendship Couple to Romance
Priya and Aidan’s relationship inside the villa followed an unusual path. For most of their time on the show, they were not romantically interested in each other. Priya, 25, a business development manager from Surrey, had initially pursued connections with Samraj Toor and Lorenzo Alessi, while Aidan, 23, a property broker from Kent, had been coupled with Ellie Chadwick.
It was only when they ended up in a friendship couple, after their other connections had faded, that a romantic spark appeared. The shift from friends to something more happened quickly in the final weeks of the show, catching both of them and the audience off guard.
Fact Box: Priya and Aidan at a Glance
| Detail | Priya Jaswal | Aidan Murphy |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 25 | 23 |
| From | Surrey | Kent |
| Job outside the villa | Business development manager | Property broker |
| Entered the villa | Week 1 bombshell | Original cast member (Day 1) |
| Instagram followers (post-show) | ~206,000 | ~230,000 |
| Placement | 6th |
The Setbacks Inside the Villa
The romance was not smooth even before it left the villa. Two incidents in particular tested the relationship during their final weeks on the show.
First, Aidan told Priya he did not have “deeper feelings” for her, a moment that aired on television and led to visible upset for both of them. They continued to spend time together after that conversation, but the uncertainty about Aidan’s emotional investment hung over the relationship.
Second, during The Grafties, a challenge segment that airs clips from the villa, footage was shown of Aidan flirting with Jasmine Muller’s sister during the family visit episode. The clip caused a public argument between the pair on screen. Aidan apologized multiple times afterward, and they reconciled, but the incident added to viewer skepticism about whether the relationship was built on a genuine foundation.
The couple were dumped from the villa shortly after, finishing in sixth place. However, during the live final broadcast, they surprised viewers by announcing they had started dating again and intended to give it a proper try on the outside.
Also Read: Lorena Isceri Found Dead in Florence After Alleged Kidnapping by Ex-Partner
Life Outside the Villa: The First Five Weeks
For the first several weeks after the final, Priya and Aidan appeared to be in a strong position. They attended the Love Island reunion wrap party together and made joint appearances on social media. They went on dates, met each other’s families, and spoke publicly about the relationship in a way that suggested genuine momentum.
In a podcast interview with Billie Faiers on the TOWIE podcast, Priya said the two had become “completely inseparable” since returning from Mallorca. She noted that while they had not yet put an official label on the relationship, they were very much together. Aidan echoed the sentiment in a separate interview with Radio Times, saying the couple were “in a good place.”
On a joint social media update earlier in August, Aidan told fans: “I always said that us leaving was gonna benefit us massively, and I think it has. I like where it’s going. Praidan is moving forward.”
Timeline: Key Moments in Priya and Aidan’s Relationship
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 2026 | Priya enters Love Island as a Week 1 bombshell; Aidan is part of the original cast |
| Late June to early July | Both pursue different connections; they are not romantically linked |
| Mid-July 2026 | End up in a friendship couple; romantic feelings develop |
| Late July 2026 | Aidan says he lacks “deeper feelings”; The Grafties clip shows him flirting with Jasmine’s sister |
| July 27, 2026 | During the live final, they reveal they are dating again |
| Late July to mid-August 2026 | Attend reunion together, go on dates, meet families; Priya calls them “inseparable” |
| Early August 2026 | Carlos alleges both were flirting with others at a party; Priya and Aidan do not respond |
| Early September 2026 | Source confirms to The Sun they have split, saying they are “better off as mates” |
| September 8, 2026 | Both post Instagram statements confirming the breakup |
The “PR Couple” Allegations From Casa Amor’s Carlos
One factor that kept the relationship under public scrutiny was a set of allegations made by fellow series 13 contestant Carlos, who had entered during Casa Amor. In early August, during a TikTok Live with fellow islander Will Bessant, Carlos claimed he had seen both Priya and Aidan flirting with other people at a recent party.
Carlos alleged that Aidan was “flirting with loads of different girls” at the event. He also claimed that Priya had been talking closely with former Casa Amor contestant Gabriel Garland, though he softened the description, saying she was not necessarily making a move. Will described the season’s pairings broadly as “all PR,” and Carlos agreed, predicting the couple would not last another two weeks.
Neither Priya nor Aidan responded publicly to Carlos’s claims. The Sun contacted both for comment but received no reply at the time. Carlos had entered Casa Amor with an interest in Priya, which she did not reciprocate, a detail some fans noted as possible context for the criticism.
The Second Series 13 Breakup in One Week
Priya and Aidan’s confirmation comes just days after Yasmin Hadlow and Tommy Stagg were reported to have split, making this the second series 13 breakup in under a week.
Series 13 Couples Status Update (as of September 8, 2026)
| Couple | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lorenzo Alessi and Julia Majchrzak | Together (exclusive) | Winners; addressed Instagram liking controversy |
| Jasmine Muller and Kavan Murphy | Together | Runners-up; strong social media presence |
| Simba Kudyiwa and Angelista Gunda | Together | Runners-up; lower public profile |
| Lola Deal and Sean Fitzgerald | Together | Sharing public relationship updates |
| Ellie Chadwick and Finley Maddock | Together | Ellie left the villa to be with Finley |
| Mica Harris and Samraj Toor | Together | Confessed love outside the villa |
| Yasmin Hadlow and Tommy Stagg | Split | Confirmed by sources; amicable |
| Priya Jaswal and Aidan Murphy | Split | Confirmed by both via Instagram statements |
The two splits share a similar timeline: both occurred roughly six weeks after the final and were described as amicable, with both parties saying the relationship did not translate from the villa to real life.
Why So Many Love Island Couples Split After Leaving
The pattern of rapid post-villa breakups is one of the most consistent features of Love Island’s 13 season history. The reasons are well documented by former contestants and media observers alike.
Inside the villa, couples spend nearly every waking hour together in a controlled environment with no phones, no jobs, no friends, and no daily responsibilities. Connections that form under those conditions are intense but untested against the realities of normal life.
Once outside, several competing pressures emerge simultaneously. Both parties face packed media schedules, brand partnerships, podcast appearances, and social media obligations. Geographic distance between their hometowns becomes a practical issue. Former co-stars are suddenly part of the same social circuit, creating opportunities for new connections. And the transition from 24/7 togetherness to scheduled visits and texting can feel like a downgrade, even for couples with strong chemistry.
Priya and Aidan’s case followed a particularly unusual path, because they never fully transitioned from friendship to committed romance inside the villa. Their relationship was still being defined when they left, which meant the outside world did not merely test their connection but required them to build it from a foundation that was still forming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Love Island’s Priya and Aidan still together?
No. Both posted Instagram statements on September 8, 2026, confirming they have split and are better off as friends.
Why did Priya and Aidan break up?
Both said they realized after leaving the villa that they were better suited as friends than as a romantic couple.
When did Priya and Aidan break up?
A source confirmed the split to The Sun in early September 2026. Both publicly confirmed it on September 8.
Were Priya and Aidan ever officially boyfriend and girlfriend?
No. Priya said on a podcast in early September that they had not put an official label on the relationship, though they had been “inseparable.”
Did Carlos from Casa Amor say Priya and Aidan were a PR couple?
Yes. In a TikTok Live in early August, Carlos alleged both were flirting with other people at a party and described the season’s pairings as “all PR.” Neither Priya nor Aidan responded publicly.
How many Love Island 2026 couples have split?
As of September 8, 2026, two: Yasmin Hadlow and Tommy Stagg, and Priya Jaswal and Aidan Murphy. Six other couples from series 13 remain together.
Where did Priya and Aidan finish on Love Island?
They finished in sixth place after being dumped from the villa in the show’s final week.
Also Read: Love Island 2026 Yasmin Hadlow and Tommy Stagg Split Six Weeks Later
Last Updated on September 8, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
