Love Island star Ella Thomas has set the cat among the pigeons – by sitting her dog among some morning coffees.
The 24-year-old reality star shot to fame in 2023 when she was a contestant on season ten of Love Island – and finished in third place alongside 25-year-old footballer Tyrique Hyde. Over the weekend, Ella enjoyed catching up with friends as she dined out and absorbed some of the refreshingly bright Bank Holiday weather.
But it wasn’t just human friends Ella was spending time with – as she also had one of the four legged variety that appeared to go almost everywhere with her as she enjoyed her weekend. Fluffy pooch Nova was on hand to accompany Ella seemingly everywhere she went. But some fans objected to the table manners of her cute little dog.
Taking to Instagram Stories on Sunday, Ella shared a snap of a restaurant table featuring two menus and two cups of cappuccino. She captioned the simple image with the words “Sunday Brunch”, alongside a white heart emoji, and a longer statement reading: “Happy bank holiday weekend hunnies,” and with three star emojis.
But it was the sight of Nova sitting at the table – within tongue lapping reach of the coffees – that really drew attention from the reality star’s followers. Many took to social media to dig apart the coffee morning moment – with opinions strongly divided.
One fan wrote on Reddit: “I like Ella but does she need to bring her dog to so many public spaces, especially where people are eating? I get it means the dog isn’t at home alone but what about hygiene, people with allergies etc?”
But others defended Ella’s choice to take her pooch everywhere with her. One fan wrote: I have a friend with a dog and she also doesn’t leave it at home alone and she works from home most days so she can be with the dog or gets somebody to dog sit.”
Ella and Tyrique were fan favourites of Love Island last summer – with many thrilled to see them complete the show as a couple. The romance went through a rocky patch as they split in November – but soon reconciled.
The relationship was not to last, however, as the pair called time on their romance in February this year. A source said following the split: “At the end of day they want different things and it’s too hard to make it work. They are saying it’s over for good this time and there is no going back.”
Ella herself soon commented on the decision to end the romance. She wrote in response to an online question from a fan: “Just to clear things up we’re not together… Didn’t speak on it while we were figuring things out and dealing with it privately. [We] both agree it’s for the best and wish him well. All love. Thanks to everyone that supported us together and individually.”
And Tyrique hit out at a fan who criticised him for remaining silent on the split after Ella spoke publicly about it. Lashing out at the fan online, the reality star wrote: “Tf you want me to say? This is my life g. Did you announce your breakup to the world? Just cos people on Love Island usually put out statements don’t mean I have to. That’s not my portion. Thank you to all my followers who show love. LATAA.”