21 October 2023 , 11:00
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Love Island winner Sammy Root has revealed his dad's warning as he splashes his prize money.
The reality TV star, 22, took home £50,000 with his ex-girlfriend Jess Harding after they won the ITV2 show over the summer. Sammy has been enjoying his new-found fame since leaving the villa and has treated his family along the way. Love Island winners now have to split the money evenly down the middle, meaning both Sammy and Jess returned to the UK with a nice £25,000 each. Yet in previous years, couples were given the chance to steal the money off their partner.
Traditionally, each member of the winning couple was given a golden envelope. One had £50,000 written inside and the other had £0. The Islander who got the £50,000 envelope then had to decide whether they would share the money with their partner - or whether they would steal it all for themselves. Every year, the winning couples have decided to split the cash evenly as they choose love over money.
Sammy has admitted his dad gave him a warning about spending his cash (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Speaking to The Mirror, Sammy revealed he has received his share of the prize and has spent it wisely thanks to his dad. He confessed: "I have been careful because I am a very sensible person with my money as it is. Growing up, my dad would not let me throw it away. So not much, I brought my mum a necklace when I got out and treated the family to a meal and stuff. Other than that, I have been keeping it safe."
Sammy and Jess shocked fans when they announced they had split earlier this month after winning the dating show together back in July. He revealed the pair had split after just three months together despite being voted the most compatible of all the pairings on the show. The reality TV star claimed he was blindsided by the separation. At the time, Sammy released a statement saying: "To be totally clear - I at least wanted a face to face conversation to see if our relationship could be saved and felt this would be a respectful way forward.
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"We had the most incredible experience winning Love Island and I genuinely saw a future with Jess. I was committed and respectful to our relationship. Unfortunately things don't always work out the way you'd hoped." It was believed the couple were on track to earn millions in endorsement deals and TV shows. But Sammy appears to be doing okay on his own. The former project manager has set his sights on charity work and admitted he won't say no to another stint on TV following his rise to fame.