Ovie Soko says he and Amber Gill will be "friends for life" – but will not date.
The ‘Love Island’ stars developed a close relationship as pals in the villa and that has continued on the outside world following Amber’s victory on the ITV2 dating show, and the basketball player insists he will always have the 22-year-old star’s "back".
He said: "Amber is a sweetheart, she is a close friend of mine and I will always have her back.
"We will be friends for life, of course."
Amber triumphed on the show alongside Greg O’Shea, but just five weeks after their win the pair split earlier this month – and Ovie became a shoulder to cry on for Amber.
He added to The Sun Online: "We all drop a line or text to check in how we’re doing and if everything is okay.
"We spoke after the whole Greg situation, I just checked in on her – that kind of stuff.
"She is doing really good."
His comments come after Amber admitted this week that she and Ovie will never hook up in a romantic sense because he is like a brother to her.
Speaking about fans calling for the pair to get together, she said: "They are going to ruin the friendship.
"It’s a weird thing for me because he’s like my brother. I would prefer to have him as a friend.
"We have never really thought of each other like that – it’s a bit strange that everybody comments on it all the time. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, no, stop.’ "
Amber has now vowed to take a break from men after being dumped by Greg.
She said: "I dealt with two boys over the summer, I don’t need to deal with any more right now. That’s enough to last me for the year. I am definitely off men for the minute.
"I’m happy by myself – definitely. I’m not looking for anything. I don’t have the time anymore to date to be honest, I’m happy where I am."
Ovie Soko: Amber and I will be friends for life
