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A Love Island couple have announced their split, just days after convincing their fans they were still together.
Love Island series nine finalists Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Muhammad have split after almost a year and a half together.
The couple began sparking split rumors in July when they unfollowed each other and deleted all their photos together.
However, Shaq silenced these rumors in August when he shared a photo on his feed of him and Tanya looking as loved up as ever at Claudia Fogarty’s birthday party.
But, on Saturday night, both Shaq and Tanya took to their Instagram Stories to write identical statements confirming that they had broken up.
A Love Island couple have announced their split, just days after convincing fans they were still together.
Love Island series nine finalists Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Muhammad have split after nearly a year and a half together
The former couple wrote identical statements announcing the separation (left, Shaq’s, right, Tanya’s)
Tanya wrote: ‘Hey guys just wanted to say that unfortunately Shaq and I are no longer together and we have parted ways.
‘We wish each other the best and can’t thank you enough for loving us together until now. Thank you (prayer emoji).’
Tanya and Shaq came fourth in the final winter series of Love Island in 2023, the same year that two series of Love Island first aired.
The winners of the series were Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, both 26, who are now engaged.
In second place were Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall, who split in July 2023.
And in third place were Samie Elishi and Tom Clare, the latter of whom found love with Molly Smith on Love Island: All Stars in January.
Tanya and Shaq’s split comes after fans were convinced they were engaged in February.
During the lavish bash, Shaq celebrated Tanya’s birthday with an extravagant extravaganza that included a candlelit dinner on the beach at sunset.
The couple first sparked split rumors in July when they unfollowed each other and deleted all their photos together.
However, Shaq silenced these rumors in August when he shared a photo on his feed of him and Tanya looking as loved up as ever at Claudia Fogarty’s birthday party.
But, on Saturday night, both Shaq and Tanya took to their Instagram Stories to write identical statements confirming that they had broken up.
The nine finalists of the Love Island series. From left to right: Tom Clare and Samie Elishi (third place), Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall (runners up), Tanya and Shaq, and Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan (winners).
Fans were quick to share that they thought the display was for an engagement, but clearly aware of how far he had gone, Shaq captioned the post: ‘This is just her birthday, imagine when I propose to her.
‘Thank you for helping me make my baby’s birthday an unforgettable day.’
In a clip posted by Shaq on Instagram, Tanya is seen wearing a backless white minidress with her eyes covered by her boyfriend before revealing the surprise.
The camera focused on the birthday scene, which included a path and a circle made of flowers in the sand, with the dining table in the middle.
The couple were then seen walking down the path and taking a seat for dinner, before Shaq kissed Tanya’s hand and they toasted with a glass of wine.
Tanya and Shaq then enjoyed a lavish four-course dinner, including lobster, before waiters brought them a birthday cake adorned with sparklers.
Fans were convinced the display seemed to indicate Shaq was going to propose, even though he joked that the engagement would be even bigger.
“I didn’t think it was a full proposal,” said fellow Love Islander Chyna Mills. “This is just too beautiful. Shaq really set the bar high.”
Tanya and Shaq’s split comes after fans were convinced they were engaged in February when Shaq made a big fuss about Tanya’s birthday.