Welcome to Samoa, where those fabled island flings really do exist!
It’s safe to say the 24 Australian Survivor contestants knew all about the psychological warfare and double-crossing they were getting themselves into – but we bet they weren’t expecting to find love!
Yep, as the three tribes become one, the remaining contestants are closer than ever – and it has nothing to do with torrential downpours and sharing of body heat.
As they say, keep your friends close and your enemies even closer!
We caught up with some members of the final 10 to talk rivalries and romance…
They say they’re best mates, but there’s something else going on between Lee Carseldine and El Rowland when the torches go out.
“We pretty much spoon together most nights,” former pro cricketer Lee tells NW of their closeness. “We get along great, so there’s a lot more focus on us than others.”
And Lee doesn’t deny the sizzling romance rumours, which explains why he can trust her so easily in a game that’s all about lying and deceit.
“I know that whatever El is doing – whether she is talking to other people – it is in the best interest of our alliance,” he confirms. “I trust her and I know that is rare.”
And the feeling is mutual.
“Lee and I are a solid two,” El confirms.
Flick Eggington tells us the tribe doesn’t need sugar – there’s enough eye candy on the island to satisfy their cravings!
“In the beginning of the game, yes [there was definite eye candy], but as the days go on we are all looking pretty nasty,” she jokes.
But the former Gold Coast meter maid isn’t at all surprised about the love stories blossoming within her tribe.
“When you’re stripped of everything and have all the time in the world, bonds happen and romances can form.”
While Matt Tarrant confirms there is an unwavering closeness between El and Lee, he’s more focused on his own special bond.
“I found love with a chicken named Chester,” he chuckles.
Apparently, Chester is the only true friendship Matt has been able to make as the mind games eat away at him – 14 kilograms of him, to be exact!
“I don’t know who I can trust,” he reveals.
“I trusted the wrong people and all I wanted to do was get on the first plane home!”
Shafted by her fellow tribe members, Kylie Evans was a lone wolf from the get-go, but it’s a hand she’s accepted being dealt.
“I’ve been so lonely, so alone and so ostracised,” she reveals to NW. “It’s definitely a soul-corroding experience.”
And while she’s not sure why the others rejected her, she tells NW that being alone isn’t the hardest part of the journey.
“Your stomach is never settled,” she confesses. “We’re all looking forward to passing our first solid stool!
Energy systems are empty, emotionally you’re starved, and you’ve got people deliberately antagonising you!” Um, ew…
Humble Sam Webb says he signed up for Survivor for a good time – and he’s having the time of his life, thanks to the connection he’s made with one of the island babes!
“I go into every situation with an open mind and if there’s someone I’m interested in, I’m not going to hold back,” he says. “I think there was a lot of flirting and a lot of people were probably all over each other.”
When we ask who the lucky lady is, Sam giggles his way out of it, but he does drop a hint when we ask who the biggest flirt is.
“Probably Brooke,” he says. “She’s going to kill me for that.”
She may be a grandmother, but Sue’s no softie, even if she is kind of over the game.
“I’m starting to get a little bit fed up with the mentality of some of them,” she tells us, revealing it’s the “take-no-prisoners” attitude that gets her.
“Because I’m an easy target, they see me as weak… but I’ve had to keep my mouth shut and keep my cards close to my chest – and for someone like me, that was very difficult.”
But Sue found another way to rattle her tribe members.
“I would enjoy breaking the bed for entertainment,” she laughs.
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