Love Island's Cach Mercer has revealed that he has already spent his share of the £50,000 prize money he won last year with his ex-girlfriend Toni Laities. The revelation came nearly a year after the couple's victory on the reality show.
Cach's Spending Breakdown
Speaking on the 'Cocktails and Takeaways' podcast, Cach explained: "That's gone. That was gone time ago. She [Toni] obviously won £25k and I won £25k, I gave £10k to my mum, and some went on debts. The rest of it went on the relationship at the time."
The former Love Island star entered the show during Casa Amor as a bombshell, instantly connecting with Toni, who had been getting to know Harrison Solomon. The nation watched them fall in love and eventually win the show. Since their split, Cach has opened up about his finances.
Financial Decisions
Cach revealed that when he got the call from ITV bosses, he knew he would be going on the show. As a result, he went on holiday for a month and spent the last of his savings. He added: "When I came out of the villa with that £25k, £10k had then gone back to my mum, then back to bills. The rest of it was like I'm going to take care of myself, I was getting cabs everywhere. Me and her [Toni] were going on dates all the time, booking places to stay as she had nowhere to stay."
Toni, an American bombshell, struggled to find a permanent place to live after leaving the villa due to her visa process, which prevented her from working.
Debate Over Prize Money
Fans have long questioned whether Love Island prize money should be returned if couples split, a topic recently discussed on Love Island Aftersun. Tyrique Hyde was asked if his girlfriend Samie Elishi should return the All Stars prize money she won with Ciaran Davies after they split. He replied: "It's not her fault that she won, she didn't vote for herself. If Samie wants to give it back and has to give it back, so does Casey and Gabby. Also, even if she did have to give it back, they've both spent it, it's done, it's gone."
Tyrique jokingly referenced Casey O'Gorman and Gabby Allen, another All Stars winning couple who split weeks later.
