Sanam looks aghast as she drops the L-bomb on Kai during an interview with Maya Gamma

They were crowned champions of Love Island 2023 – beating original pair Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins at £50,000 cash.

But moments before the big reveal, Sanam Hrinanan, 24, appeared horrified as she accidentally dropped the L-bomb on Kai Fagan, 24, during the final.

During an interview with host Maya Jama, a hump slipped while she gushed over Kai and said, “I fell in love with…” before covering her mouth with her hand in shock and breaking down in tears.

Meanwhile, he asked viewers to “watch this space” about making Beauty his girlfriend in the outside world.

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the special moment, with one pen: “Sanam says she fell in love with Kai!!!”

Another said: “AWW Sanam crying was so sweet and helpful even Maya was about to cry”

And a third said: “Kay and Sanam are not in a hurry to love you and exclusive to the cameras.” Just let it flow naturally >>>’

One user wrote: “Humpp leaks out of the L word and gets emotional.”

The social worker and physical education teacher, who fell in love with each other during the Casa Amor trip and were the bookies’ favorites, were silent after host Maya Gama announced the results during Monday’s live final in South Africa.

Tom Claire and Sami Elishi came in third place, while airport security officer Chak Muhammad, 24, and Tanya Manhinga, 22, took first place.

After their victory, Sanam told Maya, 28, “I can’t believe it,” while Kai lost his words with Ron and Lana proving to be generous runners-up as they congratulated the couple along with the rest of the finalists.

Like every romance on the show, they’ve had a rough ride – with Kay’s former love interest Olivia furious when he flipped his head on Casa Amor – as has hers.

But Kai’s decision to re-marry with Sanam proves to be a worthy one as they have been going strong ever since.

Before Maya announces the first couple who missed out on winning the show, footage of the final day at the villa is broadcast.

The girls enjoyed one last free ride for the boy before the Love Island ball – where many L-bombs were dropped for the first time in passionate tirades.

During the poignant moment, Sanam says to Kai: “You charmed me with your smile, and you always made me laugh. You made me feel like a princess and the only girl in the world. I can’t wait for you to come over to my house and mom to cook you Caribbean food. You showed me my worth.

He said: When I entered the villa. I struggled to find love. Then I found you at the casa. The most beautiful girl I’ve ever met. Every conversation we have brings me closer to you. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone as compatible as you. My time here was literally in a dream with you. I can’t wait for what the future holds for us.

Kai went on to praise their similarities such as their passion for working with children to make a difference in the world.

Taking to Twitter after the clip, fans of the ITV2 show claimed their lyrics were “perfect”, and that they didn’t find the speech “awkward” for the first time.

One wrote, “Sanam and Kai’s speech was so perfect #loveisland,” with another adding, “Sanam and Kai’s speech was precious #Loveisland.”

Others wrote, “First time I actually liked Kai and sanam’s last speech #loveisland,” and “Sanam and Kai’s speech was sooo cuuuuute #loveisland.”

A fifth chimed in with, “Kai and Sanam’s speech doesn’t make me cringe and that says enough…the only true #loveisland couple.”

Moore wrote, “The first time I actually loved Kai and Sanam’s last #loveisland speech,” and “You don’t need to hear another unfinished Kai and Sanam’s #LoveIsland speech.”

Another concluded, “You know Kai loves sanam because he uses a lot of descriptive words. That speech was like no one else was present blessing them. #loveisland.”