As Mitch and Ella B call time on their romance – does Love Island have a 5th place curse?

Just four weeks after leaving ITV2's Love Island in fifth place, and narrowly missing out on the final, contestants Mitch Taylor and Ella Barnes announced that they have called time on their romance.

Sharing a statement to her Instagram, the latter said she was 'gutted' over the split, while her former beau blamed busy schedules and distance for the relationship breakdown.

The split appears to follow a trend from the dating show, which often sees the couple who come in 5th place being the first to break-up. This curse was seen in 2022 with former islanders such as Paige Thorne and Adam Collard, who parted ways two months after the show had ended.

While 2019's fifth place stars Belle Hassan and Anton Danyluk also lasted a mere five weeks after the show, and in 2017, Montana Brown made her relationship with Alex Beattie official during one of the final episodes, but split just two weeks after going home before the final.

Announcing the news of her and Mitch's split last week, Ella wrote to Instagram: "Hi guys, Just wanted to come on here and keep you all updated, as you deserve to know as I wouldn't be where I am without you.

"Unfortunately myself and Mitch have decided to end our relationship. I really wanted things to work out and I'm gutted that our journey has come to an end."

She continued: "I wish Mitch all he best and hope he finds his happiness. It's time for both of us to start a new chapter.

"Thank you so much for all the love and support, it means the world to me. Lots of love, Ella xx"

While Mitch also took to his own followers as he explained: "Morning everyone, as you have most likely seen Ella's post sadly our relationship has come to an end.

"We had no intentions of ending, but with our busy life's at this moment and living the other side of the country made it extremely hard for it to work. Mitch continued: "I wish Ella nothing but the best as she is a lovely girl and deserves the world".

Despite the track record not looking great, there is one couple who have managed to brush off the curse and prove their love is lasting the test of time. Winter Love Island's Will Young and Jessie Farmer exited the South African villa in early 2023 as ffith place stars, and have been smitten ever since.

The duo are currently living on Will's family farm, and exclusively told OK! they are saving for their own home, before looking to marriage and kids.

"For me, I know what I want and that's babies, marriage and living with Jessie for the rest of my life. It is going to happen," said Will.

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