Last year’s Love Island series captured audiences with a storyline that went beyond typical romantic entanglements.

Rather than focusing on budding relationships or speculating which couples might endure beyond the villa, viewers were engrossed in a fierce rivalry among the female cast.

This compelling drama featured a division between two distinct groups: on one side were Megan Moore, Helena Ford, Angel Swift, and Lauren Wood; on the opposing side stood Shakira Khan, Yasmin Pettet, and Toni Laites.

Throughout the season, tensions simmered, with snide remarks and heated exchanges setting a stark contrast to the idyllic, sun-drenched backdrop of the ITV2 reality show.

Once the Islanders returned to their everyday lives, many of the women swiftly attempted to play down the intensity of their on-screen conflicts.

When the Islanders finally returned to the real world, many of the girls were quick to downplay the drama.

They insisted that while there had been a divide, ‘the feud wasn’t as bad as it looked’ on screen.

But, months on, it appears the cracks have only deepened and any hopes of reconciliation seem further away than ever.

Angel Swift and Ty Isherwood; Yasmin Pettet and Jamie Rhodes; Shakira Khan and Harry Cooksley; and Toni Laites and Cach Mercer on the last season of Love Island

In fact, insiders now claim the situation has grown so frosty that the girls can’t even bring themselves to exchange basic pleasantries when they find themselves in the same room.

That was certainly the case at an event celebrating the launch of Canadian fashion brand Garage on Oxford Street in London on Thursday night.

The intimate gathering, held in the brand’s new two-storey flagship store, brought together around 50 influencers, press and reality stars for an evening of networking, photo opportunities and showcasing the latest collection of loungewear and gym pieces.

On the surface, the setting was relaxed with a health juices bar, curated snack stations and corners set up for Instagram-worthy photoshoots.

But beneath the glossy exterior, the atmosphere quickly turned tense as familiar faces from last summer’s villa began to arrive.

Among those in attendance were Shakira, Megan, Angel and another Love Island star, Megan Forte Clarke.

As the room filled up in the early evening, it became clear that old tensions hadn’t been left behind in Majorca.

Shakira appeared determined to avoid any interaction with Megan Moore or Angel altogether.

At one point, she was seen deliberately slipping behind the group to reach a photo spot, carefully manoeuvring around the room without making eye contact or acknowledging their presence.

Shakira Khan, Megan Forte Clarke and Toni Laites on last year’s love Island. Megan was seen to float between the two cliques

Megan Moore and Helena Forde were part of a ‘rival’ group

Another awkward moment unfolded on the staircase, where members of the opposing groups passed each other in close proximity, yet failed to exchange so much as a glance, let alone a greeting.

Onlookers described the tension as ‘palpable’, with several guests noting how striking it was given the group’s shared history.

‘Megan [Forte Clarke] was the only one who seemed able to move between the two sides,’ one source revealed.

‘She was exactly the same in the villa, never fully picking a side and keeping things neutral.’

The source added: ‘They spent eight weeks together doing a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so it is shocking to see their relationship is so frosty they can’t even say hello to each other at events.’

Another insider echoed the sentiment, saying: ‘It’s so awkward and also rude that they can’t even look the same way at one another. There’s definitely a lot of unresolved tension there and probably a fair bit of jealousy, too.’

For fans of the show, the ongoing feud is perhaps hardly surprising.

Despite attempts from some Islanders to play down the drama post-show, Toni, Shakira and Yasmin openly acknowledged the tension after leaving the villa, revealing that the atmosphere was often strained and uncomfortable behind the scenes.

‘There were definitely moments where it didn’t feel like a happy villa,’ Toni admitted at the time. ‘You could cut the tension with a knife.’

Yasmin, who entered the show as a bombshell, also spoke about feeling unwelcome at times, suggesting that cliques had already formed and were difficult to break into.

Viewers quickly picked up on the dynamic, with many branding it the ‘worst division’ in Love Island history.

Social media was flooded with debates over who was in the right, with fans fiercely backing their favourite groups and dissecting every interaction.

And it’s clear that not everyone has been able, or willing, to move on.

Shakira, in particular, has been outspoken about where she stands.

Yasmin, Shakira and Toni formed one of the cliques on Love Island

Shakira Khan at the Garage event on Oxford Street

Megan Moore, Shakira Khan and Yasmin Pettet all competed on last year’s Love Island

In a recent Instagram Live, she addressed ongoing speculation about her relationships with her former co-stars in typically blunt fashion.

‘Guys, right, listen, I’m just going to say something to you right now, I couldn’t give a flying f*** about some of the things that you’re commenting,’ she said.

‘You need to stop, you need to let it go, it’s been months. Not everyone is friends with everyone and that is OK.’

In the wake of the Garage event, the divide was evident once again.

Shakira and Megan Forte Clarke were later seen heading out for dinner with Yasmin and fellow Islander Alima Gagigo, continuing their close-knit friendship away from the spotlight of the launch.

Noticeably absent, however, were Angel and her clique.

The fracture lines extend beyond just the girls.

During the show, Shakira’s boyfriend Harry Cooksley often acted as a bridge between the groups, maintaining friendships with Megan Moore and her partner Dejon while also growing close to Shakira’s allies.

But even those connections appear to have dissolved since leaving the villa.

Harry has since unfollowed both Megan and Dejon on social media, a move he later addressed during a livestream with former Islander Tyrique Hyde.

‘It’s the most obvious unfollow,’ he said bluntly. ‘I don’t speak to these people. I’ve come out and I don’t speak to them. I don’t see them. I don’t go to the same events as they do. Like you said, it’s different now.’

Defending his decision, he added: ‘I’m not changing up. I’m just saying, I know what I’m doing. I’ve come out, I’ve got the right people around me. I knew exactly where I was going and what I’m doing. I’m not your pal. What are you talking about? It’s the most obvious unfollow.’

As time goes on, it seems increasingly unlikely that the rift between the former Islanders will be resolved any time soon.

While reality TV feuds often fade once the cameras stop rolling, this one appears to have taken on a life of its own.

And if Thursday night’s icy encounter is anything to go by, the drama that once captivated viewers has simply moved from Majorca to the real world.