Just when it looked like Ellie Chadwick and Finley Maddock had managed to get their relationship back on track, reports suggest the Love Island favourite has walked away from the villa just days before the grand finale.

The news was first confirmed by The Sun's Deputy TV Editor, Felicity "Flic" Cross, who revealed that Ellie had left the ITV2 dating show. As one of the publication's leading Love Island reporters, Cross has built a reputation for breaking villa exclusives before they air, making her latest update one that quickly sent fans into a frenzy.

Ellie's reported exit comes after one of the most emotional storylines of the series. The Scottish Islander had finally found a connection with Finley Maddock before bombshell Elicia Bailey entered the villa and turned his head.

Elicia whisked Finley away on a date before the pair later shared a steamy kiss during a hideaway challenge alongside fellow Islander Aidan Murphy, leaving Ellie heartbroken and questioning whether she wanted to remain in the competition.

Although last night's episode saw Ellie and Finley reconciling, recoupling and sharing a bed once again, The Sun reports those scenes were filmed several days before her reported departure. According to the publication, the real-life villa timeline is ahead of what's currently airing, meaning Ellie ultimately chose to leave after seemingly repairing things with Finley. 

With the finale now just around the corner, Ellie's reported departure has left many viewers stunned. Having become one of this year's most popular contestants, many believed she had a genuine chance of making the final and even winning the series.

Across social media, fans described themselves as "heartbroken" and "gutted" by the news, with many praising Ellie for staying true to herself throughout the series. Others suggested the emotional rollercoaster of recent weeks may simply have become too much, saying they hoped she had chosen to prioritise her wellbeing over staying in the competition. 

Neither ITV nor Ellie has publicly commented on the reported exit at the time of writing, meaning viewers will have to wait for upcoming episodes to see exactly how her departure unfolds on screen.

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