Love Island’s Faye’s post-split interview: ‘I’m grieving – I thought Teddy was The One’

Love Island star Faye Winter has fully opened her heart since she and boyfriend Teddy Soares parted ways back in February, telling OK! the pressure that accompanied their high-profile romance simply became too much to bear.

Fans were heartbroken when the much-loved couple called time on their relationship after 18 months together, but Faye says it was time to move on.

"We’re from very different worlds and we were trying to build a relationship in this very high-pressure environment," the 27-year-old reality star explains.

"We got moulded together, but we had different dreams and ambitions and I had to respect Teddy’s. We were so similar and we got on so well – he’ll forever have a very special place in my heart – and it feels like I’m grieving someone."

Her voice cracking with emotion, Faye admits, "It’s so hard. I honestly believed he was my soulmate. It’s always hard to come to terms with these things and him not being there to build a life with.

"But you have to respect each other. It’s a loss, but you’ve got to keep on moving forwards."

Former lettings manager Faye and ex-financial consultant Teddy, 28, met during the seventh season of the hit ITV2 dating show and kept viewers gripped with their fiery on-off romance.

Despite finishing third, the pair went on to become the longest-standing couple from the 2021 series after winners Millie Court and Liam Reardon called it quits last July. Runners-up Chloe Burrows and Toby Aromolaran split in October.

In February, Faye and Teddy – who moved into a plush Essex apartment together just three months after leaving the villa – broke the sad news of their split on Instagram.

Alongside a snap of the couple’s golden retriever, Bonnie, Faye wrote, "I wanted to let you know that after lots of time and consideration, Teddy and I have decided to go our separate ways.

"Thank you all so much for supporting our relationship and sharing the journey with us. I’m forever grateful."

Chatting to OK!, Faye says that her beloved pup has helped pull her through her heartache, giving her a "purpose" when she’s been feeling flat.

"I would not have gotten through half the stuff I have recently if it wasn’t for her," she confesses. "She is my alarm clock in the morning, she gets me up every day and she’s my reason for being.

"The amount of times where I’ve not wanted to get out of bed because I’m in such a low place, but now I don’t have that. I have to get up to feed and walk her every day.”

Keeping busy, she says, has also helped put her back on track.

"I’ve had so much going on and I’ve got a lot of work-related things to look forward to, so I’m just focusing on these things, really," she says. "I hope Teddy is focusing on his growth."

In the wake of her unexpected break-up, country girl Faye made the emotional decision to abandon city life and return to her home county of Devon.

And though she credits pub lunches with her mum and dad and moorland walks with helping to clear her head after a turbulent few months, the former Islander admits returning home without Teddy was bittersweet, especially as she had hoped they would one day settle down together in the West Country.

"That was always my plan," Faye tells us. "I always imagined my kids having the same upbringing as I had. One thing I’ve really learned in the last two years is you can’t plan your future. I’m just going to see if I can make it work.

"You’re very much made to believe nowadays that you should have everything figured out by 27, but I don’t yet, and that’s OK. I’ve had to come to terms with it, don’t get me wrong."

Following her split from Teddy, Faye has suffered from a severe bout of social anxiety, something she says has impacted her life on and off ever since she left the villa.

Opening up about her mental health battle, Faye reveals how a recent trip to London department store Selfridges felt like "a massive thing for me".

She says, "I haven’t been shopping on my own for weeks. I’d get my food delivered to the house as I really struggle with it. A lot of trolls asked why I’d chosen Selfridges, but it was because I’d been there so many times with Teddy and because I know there are so many staff and security members working there, so I could go to them if I did have a panic.

"I even messaged Toby and Kaz [Crossley], because they’re some of my closest friends from the villa, to be like, ‘Are you in London? I don’t want to go to Selfridges on my own.’ Both of them messaged back saying, ‘Faye, you can do this.’

"When I was driving up, I was thinking, ‘This is the worst decision of my life’, but I did it and I’m really proud of myself. But today, for example, I’ve had to text my stylist asking them to go to the shop to get me a razor because I can’t go out. There are ups and downs."

Earlier this year, Love Island producers were said to be in talks about making an "All Stars" edition of the sun-soaked show, and although the public quickly named fiery Faye as one of the former stars they’d love to see reappear in the villa, another romance isn’t a top priority for the time being.

"It’s definitely not a firm no," she smiles. "It’s just that right now, I’m not thinking about that way of life. I’m not ready to date. I’m not ready to meet anyone. I don’t want to.

"Teddy was a massive part of my life. If and when that opportunity presents itself to me, I’ll consider the options and make my choice then, but for now, it’s not on my radar."

With her four-legged friend offering so much valuable support and comfort in recent months, it’s no wonder animal lover Faye has been a long-term supporter of the Guide Dogs charity.

"For me, dogs are just such a passion project," she says. "I attended Crufts this year, where I made a speech on behalf of Guide Dogs. They’re part of The Big Help Out in line with the King’s coronation, and I’ve donated a large sum of money to the charity in order to be able to name my own puppy that will go on for years and years and change somebody’s life.

"You don’t realise how much you get out of volunteering until you do it, so I’d encourage everyone to get involved with Guide Dogs."

Follow Faye on Instagram @faye_winter.

For more information on Guide Dogs, visit guidedogs.org.uk

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