LOVE Island’s Harriett Blackmore had a boyfriend who she said “I love you” to just days before striking up a romance with Ronnie Vint in the villa last year, friends claimed.

And a former Islander suggested she could have been with him when she applied to go on the show.

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Harriett’s friends claimed the contestant said ‘I love you’ to Josh days before going on the show[/caption]

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Ronnie and Harriett only lasted a couple of months outside the villa[/caption]

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Andrew Le Page previously suggested Harriett could have had a boyfriend during the application process[/caption]

Josh Curling only found out the dancer and personal shopper was going on the show after seeing The Sun’s exclusive line-up reveal, with friends saying he was livid and hurt.

Sources who know the former couple said the self-styled “It” girl gave Josh a scrapbook of photos from their relationship together and told him: “I love you.”

It is understood she dumped him later that same evening over text, telling him: “I need time to focus on myself and what I’m doing.” 

Her friends said she wanted to tell him that she was going on the show but never did. 

The couple broke up in January following a three-year relationship but are understood to have rekindled their romance in April.

Josh had a short fling with another girl when they were separated. 

A source said: “Josh had suspicions she was going on the show. She was going up to London and saying she was being interviewed for Pretty Little Thing. 

“He asked if she was going on but at the time she said she would never go on Love Island.

“Josh feels like he’s been led down a garden path. He was in love and during their relationship they were talking about moving out and getting married. 

“They had a good relationship but it fizzled out in January when they started arguing all the time.

“But they seemed to have been working on getting back to where they were.”

Harriet took the chance to respond to the claims before she entered the villa.

She said: “We kind of broke up out of the blue but we’ve remained in contact and, and I think we’ll always be friends, there’s no bad blood there.

“You know the ex-boyfriend’s always going to have a lot to say and even if it’s not the ex-boyfriend, one of his friends…. he’s not expecting me to be on TV, so he’s probably got a lot of emotions, he’s probably got a lot of feelings.

“But I’m just gonna clarify, we’ve had conversations and we remained in contact but yeah, for me, the relationship ended in January.”

Writing on his social media account at the time, 2022 star Andrew Le Page had doubts about Harriett’s back story.

While watching at home, he wrote: “[She] just say she’s been single for four months?

“The application process is longer than that.”

Harriett ended up leaving the Love Island villa with semi-pro footballer Ronnie after a drama-filled few weeks.

Though they never called themselves boyfriend and girlfriend, they were ‘seeing’ each other for a number of months in the real world.

They split in September but have now been brought back together by Love Island All Stars.

In tonight’s show, a blindfolded Ronnie recognised Harriett’s kiss immediately during a game and rated it 10 out of 10, much to the annoyance of his current villa partner Elma Pazar.

The episode ended with them having a heart to heart on the terrace and Ronnie telling her “it’s always been you” as Elma and the rest of the girls listened in below.

Eroteme

Eroteme

Eroteme

PRIMARK has called on the Government to deliver “tangible” growth rather than “generic words” as waning confidence starts to strangle the economy.

The fashion retailer yesterday posted a 6 per cent slump in like-for-like UK and Ireland sales — its first drop since shops shut during the pandemic.

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Primark yesterday posted a 6 per cent slump in like-for-like UK and Ireland sales[/caption]

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Primark has been helped by its campaigns with Rita Ora[/caption]

Eoin Tonge, finance chief of owner Associated British Food, told The Sun: “There is a weakness in consumer confidence that we don’t see in other markets.”

He highlighted that customers were nervous about their own finances because of gloomy warnings that the Budget could impact jobs and hiring, particularly temporary workers, adding: “There is nervousness because those cut-backs will be impacting those on lower incomes.

“There has definitely been too much talking down but now there needs to be tangible talking up. It can’t be generic. We need messages about tangible growth and the route to get there.”

Overall Primark’s sales rose by 2 per cent, helped by its collaborations with Rita Ora and Christmas ranges.

However the UK, which accounts for 45 per cent of Primark’s sales, suffered in comparison with strong sales in Europe and the US.

Primark’s warnings came as Sainsbury’s yesterday announced plans to axe 3,000 jobs in the face of higher costs.

And a closely watched survey suggested Brits were bracing for “dark days ahead”.

The GfK consumer confidence index has registered steep falls in confidence in family finances and the wider economy.

It is affecting factories too — with them recording the fastest slump in orders and confidence since the pandemic, according to the CBI’s Distributive Trades Survey.

The despondency is a challenge for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has been accused of hurting the economy with gloomy warnings and then launching a business tax raid.

Lloyds boss Charlie Nunn said at the Davos World Economic Forum that there was “nervousness around the economy and negative sentiment”.

And Steve Hare, boss of FTSE 100 tech firm Sage, told The Sun: “When negativity dominates the headlines, it seeps into decision-making. Businesses hesitate to invest. People hold back from spending. Borrowing to grow feels risky. And that’s where we risk stalling progress — not because of economic fundamentals, but because of a lack of optimism.”

Mr Tonge also hit out at the plans to reform the business rates system by offsetting discounts with higher rates for bigger stores.

He said: “I don’t agree with the logic.

“It’s not good for the high street. Bigger stores typically bring footfall to smaller ones.”

CMA tech check on phones

THE UK’s competition watchdog has launched a probe into Apple and Google smartphones, just days after the regulator’s chairman was ousted for an Amazon executive.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it would investigate how the makers of iPhone and Android mobiles run their software and services.

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The CMA has launched a probe into Apple and Google smartphones[/caption]

The watchdog is testing whether the firms favour their own apps, internet browsers and operating systems at the expense of other developers.

Last week the CMA launched its first probe into Google’s dominance in web searches.

It comes after the Government forced out the CMA’s chairman, Marcus Bokkerink, and instead appointed former Amazon UK boss Doug Gurr.

The move was seen as deliberately more friendly to Big Tech.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said Mr Bokkerink had been shown the door because he didn’t “share the mission” for economic growth.

Home buy fight

AFFORDING a home is still a stretch for most Brits despite wage growth marginally exceeding house price rises, says Nationwide.

A would-be first-time buyer on an average wage, and with a 20 per cent deposit, would see mortgage payments swallow 36 per cent of their take-home pay, higher than the historical average.

First-time buyer house prices are typically five times salary.

Nationwide said high rents left four in ten first-time buyers turning to friends or family for help with a deposit.

Beauty revolting

SHARES in Revolution Beauty tumbled yesterday after a warning that its sales would fall by a quarter.

The make-up group, which has dealt with an accounting probe, the exit of its founders, and a legal settlement with its biggest ex-investor, still faces a “transformational” year.

The firm announced an overhaul of around three-quarters of its original ranges to create a “profitable foundation for future growth”.

But sales are still projected to fall by 25 per cent — which shrank shares by 22 per cent.

POLICE who nailed Rudakubana have not ruled out making more arrests.

Officers investigating the lead-up to the atrocity have revealed he tried to leave the family home armed with a knife in a taxi.

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When asked whether action will be taken against the killer’s parents, Det Chief Insp Jason Pye said: ‘It’s a live investigation so we can’t comment’[/caption]

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Rudakubana appears to have spent several years planning his attack, buying at least two knives from Amazon[/caption]

It was booked to go to his old school, sparking fears he planned a massacre there.

Dad Alphonse, 49, persuaded him back into the house.

Rudakubana appears to have spent several years planning his attack, buying at least two knives from Amazon.

A machete and a set of crossbow arrows were found in his bedroom.

He also purchased equipment which he used to make deadly poison ricin.

Neighbours say Amazon “constantly” delivered parcels for him, leading to questions on how he could buy so much without anyone being aware.

When asked whether action will be taken against his parents, Det  Chief Insp Jason Pye said: “It’s a live investigation so we can’t comment.”

 Teens aged between 13 and 17 can have their own Amazon account, using shared payment methods.

Adults can set approval options for purchases and receive notifications for all orders.

Rudakubana was born in Cardiff in  2006 after his dad and mum Laetitia, 52, moved from Rwanda to the city.

The family, including his older brother, have been moved to a secret address.

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Murdered seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe[/caption]

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Alice da Silva Aguiar, whose parents said: ‘Living without Alice is not living at all’[/caption]

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Bebe King was just six years old when she was murdered[/caption]

RIO FERDINAND broke commentary protocol to post on social media about Manchester United’s disallowed goal against Rangers.

Matthijs de Ligt had a powerful header ruled out by VAR in the first half of the Battle of Britain at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

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Rio Ferdinand was on commentary duty during Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Rangers[/caption]

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The TNT Sports pundit took to X mid-match to vent his fury at Matthijs de Ligt’s disallowed goal[/caption]

The Dutchman’s goal was chalked off as team-mate Leny Yoro was judged to have fouled Robin Propper in the build-up.

United fans galore took to social media to lament the VAR decision.

As did former Red Devils defender Ferdinand, who was on commentary duty for TNT Sports.

A frustrated Ferdinand took to X to write: “Never a foul.”

Ferdinand’s mid-match tweet didn’t go unnoticed by scores of his 11.6million followers.

One responded: “Focus on the game, mate.”

Another said: “”Commentate on the game, mate.”

And another said: “Phone away while at work, please.”

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One remarked: “Get back to work, Rio.”

Another chimed in: “Rio mate stop tweeting. You’re on commentary duty.”

United eventually broke the deadlock in the second half, with a little helping hand from Gers stopper Jack Butland.

The former Red Devils stopper calamitously punched a Christian Eriksen corner into the back of the net in the 52nd minute.

Cyriel Dessers thought he’d rescued a point for the Teddy Bears with an 88th-minute goal that stunned the Old Trafford faithful.

But United skipper Bruno Fernandes struck in the 92nd minute to seal a last-gasp 2-1 victory and send the visitors back up the road with nothing to show for their efforts.

Evil incarnate

RARELY have we encountered a murderer as irredeemably, remorselessly and purely evil as Axel Rudakubana.

Yesterday he tested even our long-held opposition to the death penalty.

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Axel Rudakubana tested even our long-held opposition to the death penalty[/caption]

His actual sentence of life with a minimum of 52 years was about as much as the judge could hand down, given a whole-life term could not legally be applied.

The case now for changing the law to deal with a beast such as Rudakubana is compelling.

The new details of the Southport atrocity are beyond shocking.

Terrified little girls at a dance class seized and butchered in a sustained frenzy of blows from a kitchen knife. Thirteen wounded, three fatally.

Rudakubana, caught at the scene looking “possessed”, then gloating to police: “I’m so glad those kids are dead, it makes me happy. So happy, six years old.”

It is hard to imagine what information, released to the public for clarity, could ever have collapsed such a case, as the CPS and Government supposedly feared.

Rudakubana’s disruptive antics in court, feigning illness and yelling for a paramedic hoping to avoid facing the music, were a last insult to the victims’ traumatised families and the mark of a self-obsessed coward.

He had no mental disorder, as his defence admitted.

Rudakubana is simply a monster, radicalised by terrorist material online, obsessed with violence, genocide and war, hell-bent on mass murder for its own sake and never safe for release.

He must die behind bars.

No EU don’t

SHACKLING ourselves once again to the stagnating EU we voted to leave is a guaranteed road to penury for an economy already in deep trouble.

The Government pretends the proposed new Europe-wide customs zone merely lubricates any frictions in our existing trade deal with Brussels.

But the EU never offers something for nothing. The price will be the adoption of its rules, overseen by its judges and designed to restrict Britain exactly as the EU and its Remainer cheerleaders always wanted.

No wonder the BBC has championed the story. It’s their dream come true.

But it would be an insane act of self-harm, especially now there is a clear alternative.

Which is not only to ally ourselves much more closely with the booming US but to ape its new mission to slash taxes, regulation and costs.

Instead we may be dragged back into Brussels’ grim embrace by a Remainer establishment which is still convinced, religiously, that Brexit was a historic error and is scornful of, and apparently terrified by, the independence we won.

Donald Trump, powered by home-grown energy costing a fraction of ours, intends in short order to leave Europe for dead in the global economic race.

Why on earth would we join the losers instead of the likely winners?

IT’S time to aim for the stars as you look for a job, with investment rocketing in the SpaceTech sector.

In the Sixties, America saw off Russia to become the first to land a man on the moon.

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Aspire for a career in space tech[/caption]

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Londoner Zamzam Hersi is a Spacecraft Controller at Inmarsat[/caption]

But this time around new countries, including India and China, are joining the space race to develop reusable rockets, create space-age defence systems and launch commercial satellites.

Industry insiders are predicting a surge in Space-Tech investment, creating tens of thousands of jobs worldwide.

At the heart of this is the UK space sector, employing 52,000 people and generates more than £7billion to UK GDP.

Elon Musk found inspiration for his low-cost rocket launches while serving on the board of small UK firm Surrey Satellite Technology.

Demand for new staff in the UK sector is growing fast.

Currently, four in five employees have a degree in a science, technology, engineering or maths background, known as STEM.

Top jobs include in-orbit servicing and satellite data analysis, spaceport operations management, software engineers and AI experts.

Londoner Zamzam Hersi is a Spacecraft Controller at Inmarsat.

Zamzam, who grew up interested in science-fiction and outer space, had been thinking about a career in medicine after her A-levels but instead took a gap year and then went to study aerospace engineering, going on to graduate from the University of Leicester.

She said: “It was the perfect choice for me as I could combine my love for problem solving and designing with a focus on space systems. To break into the space industry, you have to be proactive. I emailed 50 professors asking for work experience and eventually secured a role.

“I also used SpaceCareers.uk, UKSEDS and LinkedIn as resources for keeping in the loop of opportunities in the industry.”

There are also many more standard roles, including HR, commercial management, project managers and even space lawyers.

These don’t require STEM qualifications.

Ingmar Kamalagharan of the UK Space Agency says: “Most people are not aware of how much they use space in their everyday life, from making a bank transaction to navigating and being able to call anyone around the world or access the internet.”

Ready to launch your space career?

If so, be sure to do your research on possible roles.

The sector is developing fast, with new jobs coming on board.

For help to decide what is right for you, see Spacecareers.uk and nationalspaceacademy.org/careers/careers-advice-and-information.

If you are at school, college or are planning on changing career, then take part in competitions and challenges.

These will help you stand out on applications for jobs or work experience.

STEM.org offer challenges, and education project Esero gives opportunities to engage with space sector role models.

It’s vital to ensure you have the right skills for your chosen role.

See spaceskills.org, which offers more information on what you will need to know.

And network.

At ukspace.org you will find a calendar of events.

Manage being a leader

THIS year Gen Z are predicted to make up 27 per cent of the global workforce – but if you’re young and ambitious, you can end up managing someone much older than yourself.

Business coach and TikTok sensation Kate Waterfall Hill said: “I was promoted to MD in a marketing agency aged 29, overseeing other directors who had been on the board when I arrived as a graduate.

Vicki Knights

“It was a challenge to lead people older and more experienced than me.”

Here, Kate shares her advice:

1. EMBRACE A LEARNER’S MINDSET: Don’t come in with all the answers – come in with questions.

The temptation to prove yourself can be overwhelming when you’re a younger manager.

Resist it.

Your experienced team members often carry insights that no management book will ever capture – and you need to listen and build trust.

Show you value their experience.

2. LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE, NOT EGO: I’ve watched countless young leaders stumble not because they lacked ability, but because they felt compelled to be the expert in everything.

Your role isn’t to be the authority on all matters – it’s to be authoritative in bringing out the best in your team.

3. SHARE YOUR OWN LEARNING PROCESS OPENLY: When faced with new challenges, articulate your approach.

Say: “Here’s what I’m thinking, I’d value your perspective on this.”

It will create space for your experienced team members to contribute without feeling like they’re correcting you.

4. DRAW ON EVERYONE’S UNIQUE TALENTS: View yourself as the conductor, not the soloist.

The most effective teams are united by complementary abilities.

5. FOCUS ON PURPOSE AND VISION: When purpose is clear, experience and age become secondary.

Focus on building a narrative that draws on both innovation and experience.

6. KNOW YOURSELF: Understanding your values and strengths provides a quiet confidence.

This self-knowledge creates a natural authority that transcends age.

One to tech out

FASCINATED by AI? Then dust down those brain cells to net yourself an exciting new career.

A US-based firm has launched a scholarship for young people with innovative ideas about how to boost cybersecurity using artificial intelligence.

Vectra AI, which specialises in detecting online threats, says its scheme aims to inspire the next generation of AI leaders.

Chief Hitesh Sheth said: “The next generation will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of cybersecurity. We hope to empower young minds to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the fight against threats.”

The scheme is open to senior school pupils and graduate and undergrad students.

One winner will get $10,000 (about £8,000) to support their education.

Two runners-up will receive $5,000 each, and all three winners will be mentored by Vectra experts.

Apply by March 31 at vectra.ai/ai-scholars.

Better brains

ALMOST half of Brits want to learn new skills this year but more than two thirds admit they would find it easier to lose weight or get fit than achieve “brain gains”.

A new survey also reveals 57 per cent want to achieve career goals by switching jobs, getting a pay rise or working towards a promotion.

Now the Skills For Life campaign, which conducted the survey, has joined forces with wellbeing charity Better in a bid to boost “learning health”.

The charity runs more than 240 leisure centres nationwide.

Better’s Joseph Rham said: “We are delighted to be supporting Skills for Life in 2025 with several of our leisure centres and gyms across the country hosting free personal development – or ‘PD’ sessions – with career advisers from the National Careers Service.”

You can find out more at better.org.uk/healthy-communit ies/skills-for-life.

DOMINIC SOLANKE has been ruled out for “six weeks” with his knee injury worse than first feared.

The England striker, 27, twisted it while taking a shot on his own in training on Saturday.

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Ange Postecoglou had initially expected the blow to rule the forward out for “a few weeks” – but that has now been upgraded to a month and a half.

It puts Solanke in a race against time to be fit for the Carabao Cup final on March 16, which Tottenham will be competing in if they can see off Arne Slot’s mighty Liverpool.

He will definitely miss the second leg of their semi-final at Anfield on February 6, into which Spurs take a 1-0 lead thanks to Lucas Bergvall’s goal which Solanke set up in the initial tie.

Postecoglou said: “With Dom, the information now is that we are looking at around the six-week mark. No surgery.

“Maybe we can get him back a little bit earlier, just see how he progresses. But at this stage it’s saying around six weeks.”

Six weeks from when the injury was sustained would take him until March 1.

That time frame would see the striker miss at least eight matches.

They include Premier League games against Leicester, Brentford, Manchester United, Ipswich and Manchester City.

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The Carabao Cup semi against Liverpool, an FA Cup fourth-round at Aston Villa and next week’s Europa League tie against Elfsborg take place in that period too – plus both play-offs if Spurs somehow fail to finish in the top eight of the European table.

Solanke was the most expensive Premier League signing this summer after joining from Bournemouth for £65million.

The club-record buy has 11 goals in 29 appearances, earning an England recall with his industrious displays.

Solanke was one of FOURTEEN players missing for Spurs, due to injury or ineligibility, for the 3-2 win at Hoffenheim in the Europa League.

It put the North Londoners into fourth spot, one point clear of United in ninth.

A Son Heung-min double and an early James Maddison strike did the business, with the hosts netting through Anton Stach and sub David Mokwa.

Boss Postecoglou added: “I could not speak highly enough of the players carrying us through. They will get some help hopefully soon with some players coming back.

“We are in a real good position in Europe. Get to the knockout rounds home and away, get our players back and we will back ourselves against anyone.

“The fact that these guys have got us to this position — Madders and all the players that have carried us through — credit to them.”

BRITAIN faces being shackled to EU rules again under a plan hatched by Brussels.

No10 repeatedly refused yesterday to rule out signing up to the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention trade club — saying it will not cross any “red line”.

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Sir Keir Starmer has refused to rule out signing up to the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention trade club[/caption]

PM Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman said: “The arrangement that’s been discussed is not a customs union.

“Our red line has always been that we will never join a single market, freedom of movement, but we’re just not going to get ahead of those discussions.”

New EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic pitched the idea of Britain joining up at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, earlier this week.

The convention — which facilitates tariff-free trade between Europe and parts of the Middle East and North Africa — was turned down by the Tories while in government.

They feared it would surrender Britain’s ability to strike independent trade deals and maintain regulatory autonomy.

But in a further sign Labour is prepared to give away hard-won Brexit freedoms, Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas- Symonds has refused to exclude tying Britain to EU rules.

He also failed to guarantee European judges would be kept out of British affairs. Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel hit back, saying: “Labour’s programme of bending the knee to the EU is disgraceful.”

She said reports that ministers might “shackle” us to the EU are deeply concerning.

Ms Patel added: “Once again it is clear that Keir Starmer and his chums are all too happy to put their ideology ahead of our national interest, no matter the cost.”

The EU is also continuing to demand access to British fishing waters and freedom of movement for young people on a student scheme.

Works to boost output at IGO and Tianqi Lithium Corporation’s lithium hydroxide refinery in Kwinana have ground to a halt after flagging writedowns at the ailing operation just days ago.

Billions of dollars will be spent by California's government on rebuilding from devastating wildfires that tore through Los Angeles, killing 28 people.