Why did Love Island's Montel and Leah break up?

Here's all the tea you need ahead of Montel's shock return to the villa.
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The latest bombshell has been confirmed to be returning to the Love Island villa: semi-pro footballer Montel McKenzie. He will join Harriet Blackmore as the latest bombshells entering the Love Island: All Stars villa to potentially shake up some couples.

Montel appeared on series 10 of the UK's rendition of Love Island and has history with fellow contestant Leah, but the couple sadly didn't go the distance after being dumped from the Island.

Here's everything we know about Love Island stars Montel and Leah's romance, including how and why they broke up.

How did Montel and Leah get together on Love Island?

The couple met on the summer 2023 season of Love Island, with Montel entering the villa just over two weeks in and they quickly built a connection. However, they faced something of a speed bump when Montel kissed bombshell Tink Reading at Casa Amor.

This was exposed on Movie Night, with Leah agreeing to forgive Montel after his heartfelt efforts to win her back. He even stood on the terrance and professed his love, adding that he had “embarrassed” her so in turn he was now happy to embarrass himself. Sweet.

The couple were then dumped from the Island on day 38, missing the finale.

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Why did Montel and Leah break up?

Leah and Montel sadly called their relationship quits two weeks after being dumped from the villa, deciding to “just be friends”. Their break up unfortunately happened before the Love Island final even aired.

Sadly, Leah has alluded to the fact that the break up was at least partially due to Montel's infidelity. She commented in a TikTok comment about their break up: “Yes I forgave once in the villa and was ready to move on from it but I don’t forgive twice.” Ouch. She also opened up on the Love Island reunion show about the problem.

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“There's a reason behind why it happened, what happened at Casa Amor,” Leah said. "There was quite an issue of trust. I think it was just a good thing for us [to split]."

Montel then took to TikTok in August 2023 to address rumours of him cheating on Leah. “I’ve seen my name circulating in the media a bit, a bit of bad press, a bit of rumours being spread. I thought I’d come here and address everything. First of all, they are just rumours,” he said. “I would never do that.”

He referenced a picture that was taken of him at an event with Tink and some other Islanders. “Obviously after what happened in Casa, the pictures came out and Leah wasn’t happy with the position of the pictures where people were posted," he said. "Leah wasn't happy with how people were positioned in the picture, she said it made her feel a type of way, she was unhappy, it made her feel stupid which I do understand.

“I get it. For me I was just out having a good time, we took a picture, I was with my boys and we were all just chilling and we moved on with the night. Anyone who was at the event can confirm nothing happened. I didn’t do anything, didn’t sleep with anyone, wasn’t DMing anyone. I just wanted to be with her at the time.”

Leah also opened up to OK! Magazine about why coupling up late on the show didn't help their relationship either: "We were coupled up while on the show and it was quite a new couple as well, so it's not like we had as much time as the other people in there. So we had always said the next step for us was seeing how things work in the real world.

"And coming out we went on one date but it's just one of those, it hasn't worked out."

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