The National Television Awards (NTAs) are always a glamorous affair, but this year’s afterparty sparked more than just champagne flutes—it ignited whispers of a budding romance between two Love Island stars who never crossed paths in the villa. Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Joe Garratt were caught in a flirty frenzy, laughing and cozying up in the VIP section, with onlookers buzzing about their undeniable chemistry. And here’s the juicy bit: Joe was overheard boldly asking Ekin-Su out on a date!
“They couldn’t keep their eyes off each other,” an insider dished to The Sun. “Ekin-Su and Joe were joking around, giggling non-stop, and completely lost in their own world at the afterparty. It was electric. You could feel the sparks flying from across the room.” The source didn’t stop there, revealing that Joe seized the moment to test the waters, saying he’d “always hoped they could hang out more.” Could this be the start of a new Love Island power couple?
While Ekin-Su and Joe never shared the villa, their chemistry suggests they’re more than ready to make up for lost time. Love Island has a history of sparking romances outside the show, with former Islanders finding love after the cameras stop rolling. Take Lucie Donlan and Luke Mabbott, for example—season five and six stars who are now engaged. Or Maura Higgins and Chris Taylor, who briefly dated after their time on season five. Could Ekin-Su and Joe be the next iconic duo?
Ekin-Su’s romantic journey has been a rollercoaster. She won season eight of Love Island in 2022 alongside Davide Sanclimenti, captivating fans with their fiery connection. The pair stayed together for nearly two years before parting ways. More recently, Ekin-Su competed on Love Island: All Stars, where she coupled up with Curtis Pritchard. They made it to the final but were outshone by Gabby Allen and Casey O’Gorman. Sadly, Ekin-Su and Curtis’ romance fizzled out shortly after leaving the villa.
Joe, meanwhile, has been no stranger to the dating scene. The season five Islander has been linked to TOWIE’s Frankie Sims, Too Hot to Handle’s Georgia Hassarati, and internet personality Sophie Batzloff. His last Love Island stint on All Stars saw him paired with Arabella Chi, but their connection didn’t last, with the other Islanders voting them least compatible, sending Joe packing. Before that, Joe’s time on season five was rocky, coupled with Lucie Donlan until Tommy Fury entered the villa and turned her head. Tommy, of course, ended up with Molly-Mae Hague, and the pair—now parents to a daughter—reunited after a brief split, as revealed in Molly-Mae’s NTA-winning documentary, Molly-Mae: Behind It All.
As for Ekin-Su and Joe, their flirty exchange at the NTAs has set tongues wagging. “It’s early days, but there’s something there,” the insider teased. “They’ve got that Love Island spark, and everyone’s rooting for them to take it further.” Will this secret date turn into something more? One thing’s for sure—the Love Island rumor mill is spinning, and we’re here for every second of it!