Tyrique Hyde Opens Up About Relationship with Samie Elishi
Former Love Island star Tyrique Hyde has publicly addressed the timeline of his relationship with fellow contestant Samie Elishi for the first time, while also responding to claims that their romance is merely for clout. The revelation comes after the couple was recently photographed together on a date and returned from a romantic holiday in Morocco.
Addressing the Clout Accusations
During a recent livestream with host Joe Bagg, Tyrique directly tackled the speculation that he is with Samie for publicity. "Samie's not even fully liked by the public - if I wanted to do this for clout or PR, I would go for someone who is very well-liked," he stated. He further emphasized that he does not need a public relationship for attention, noting his previous experience and current contentment.
The Dating Timeline Revealed
Tyrique confirmed that he and Samie were not communicating before she entered the Love Island All Stars villa. "I can confirm, we were not speaking whatsoever before the villa at all," he said. He admitted to attempting to pursue her earlier, but she declined at the time. Interestingly, the pair have actually known each other for six years, having first met at an event hosted by Toby Aromolaran before either appeared on Love Island.
After his split from ex-girlfriend Ella Thomas, Tyrique revealed that Samie was always his top choice from the show. However, watching her connection with Ciaran Davies on All Stars made him think the opportunity had passed. Days after Samie left the villa, mutual friends suggested she "wasn't feeling it" with Ciaran, prompting Tyrique to try again.
Background on Samie and Ciaran's Split
This development follows the surprising breakup of Samie and Ciaran Davies, who won Love Island All Stars in 2026 but ended their relationship less than three weeks later. Each cited different reasons for the split, which shocked fans. Shortly after, Samie was seen with Tyrique, and their relationship has progressed rapidly since.
Tyrique described Samie as a "special" person during the livestream, highlighting the genuine nature of their connection amidst public scrutiny.
