Love Island final: Ovie Soko praised for celebrating friendship with Amber Gill

'I met a fiery girl that backed me from day one and grew with me like a little sister'

Love Island’s Ovie Soko has been one of the most popular contestants of this year’s series – and the 6ft 7in basketball player has won the nation’s hearts yet again in Monday’s finale.

But it wasn’t the 28-year-old’s eccentric sartorial tastes or his laissez faire attitude to relationships that earned praise this time around, it was friendship.

In the final episode, Ovie delivered a speech to his partner, India Reynolds in which he declared his romantic feelings to her and reflected on his time in the Love Island villa.

As opposed to his comments about India, it was at the beginning of his speech, when Ovie mentioned fellow islander Amber Gill, with whom he has remained close friends throughout the series, that warmed the hearts of viewers.

“I came into this Love Island villa looking for something special,” the athlete began.

“I met a fiery girl that backed me from day one and grew with me like a little sister.”

It quickly became apparent that Ovie was talking about Amber, who smiled as he referenced her.

Hundreds of fans have praised Ovie for highlighting the importance of friendship on the programme, particularly in a segment where every other islander focused their speeches on romantic love.

“Ovie keeps talking about Amber being his little sister and it’s melting my heart,” tweeted one person.

Another added: "Ovie is always shouting out Amber when he talks about his #loveisland experience. I love this man".

Many people described Ovie as a "gentleman" and described his words as "adorable".

Keep up to date with all of The Independent's Love Island coverage here.