7 couples more than 7 years apart
Thankfully, there is a useful equation to determine lowest age of a date; y= x/2 +7. Think of it as half your age plus seven. For example, the youngest person Davide should date is 20.5 years old. Someone please text that to him 😁.
- Davide Sanclimenti, 27, gave a lot of Love Island viewers the ‘ick’ when he coupled with Gemma Owens, 19, on June 8, 2022. Many fans were outraged and believed their age gap to be uncomfortable at the very least.
The age gap is uncommon on Love Island. Fans have suggested that ITV raise the minimum age to 21 years old. In the UK, 18 is the minimum legal age for adulthood and alcohol consumption.
- Jamie Clayton, 28, and Natalia Zoppa, 20, were casted for the Love Island winter series in 2020. Jamie is back to his pre-fame job as a recruitment consultant. Natalia is progressing her career as an influencer. Their villa time was short.
Naturally, each applicant agrees to the dating show’s terms and conditions. However, contestants are not required to sleep in the same bed or participate in games if they’re uncomfortable.
- Adam Farrugia, 28 and Cartier Surjan, 19, were on the Australian version. They were a favored ‘Christian Girl and Dangerous Boy’ coupling that fans supported until Adam broke up with Cartier, which led to Cartier recoupling days before the finale. Fans hoped they would rekindle after the show; they didn’t.
The average age difference between heterosexual couples internationally is 2.3 years. The present popular disgust at an age gap of more than seven years is only a social construct. These age gaps are legally right. They’re socially wrong.
- Wes Nelson, 20, and Laura Anderson, 29, are remembered for their dramatic breakup. Wes dumped Laura for Megan Barton Hanson the day before Casa Amor because he was «looking for a wife.» Megan recoupled with Alex Miller over Wes when the islanders returned. Laura placed second in the finale with Paul Knops. Wes and Megan finished fourth.
Season two of Love Island is frequently stated as a favorite among fans because of all the drama that happened. This season also had the most age gaps in the show’s history.
- Scott Thomas, 28, and Kady McDermott, 20, were an official couple and placed third in their finale. They dated on/off outside the villa for a year. Scott was arrested for allegedly assaulting Kady in September 2017. They officially broke up in December 2017. Now, there are rumors that they may have reconciled.
The couple’s connection and love story are factors for fan opinion on age gap. Based on this small sample size, fan outrage seems to be partially determined by the islander’s personality likability. If they present a good love story, fans are more likely to ignore the age gap for a more perfect story. If the islanders haven’t been in the villa for long, the fans don’t know them well enough to support. And if the on-screen characters are disliked, the fans will raise the issue of age gap like a pitchfork.
- Terry Walsh, 28, and Emma-Jane Woodham, 19, are remembered for having sex on the covers while other islanders watched in their communal bedroom. They coupled days after Malin Andersson, Terry’s then-girlfriend, was dumped from the villa. Terry openly had sex with Malin during their relationship. The producers brought Malin back to confront Terry about his infidelity and help her get closure. They did not makeup but it made for unrepeatable Love Island drama. Emma and Terry were dumped too.
There’s a heteronormative double standard that still exists with the age gap. If the man is older, he is perceived as predatory for being with a younger woman. While an older woman with a younger man is not criticized as harshly.
- Sophie Gradon, 30, and Katie Salmon, 20, are remembered as the first same-sex Love Island couple. Sophie broke up with Katie because she missed Tom Powell, who was dumped from the island. These feelings and frustration with Katie led her to leave the villa. Katie was angry about the breakup because she thought it hurt her chances at winning the show. Later, she recoupled with Adam Maxtd. They placed fourth in the finale.
Bonus: Amelia Peters, 18, is the the youngest islander ever in the franchise. She was on season three in 2017 for two days.
Loquacious 