Today we hear from this years 3rd place couple Leanne Amaning and Scott van der Sluis read more on your Daily Sport as we feature each couple.
How do you feel to have reached the final?
Scott: “Really good. This experience wasn’t about reaching the final, but nice to reach the final with someone I like. It’s like a celebration of our journey and where we’re at now. Two Welsh lads on the podium finish as well, so I’m a happy man.”
Leanne: “It’s really nice. It was a rollercoaster in there. Just great. You hope to come in here and find what we found, but obviously it’s a hope, but it’s not a guarantee. It’s nice that that’s happened and we made the final – it feels like a celebration of our journey and on the up from here.”
What do you want to say to anyone that doubts this relationship?
Scott: “We don’t need to prove it to anyone else. People question the way my brain works, that’s years of playing football and being told you can’t express your emotions and be mentally tough. You come into this and you’ve got to express your emotions. My sister is my safe space and now Leanne is my safe space as well, so she’ll be getting my more emotional side.”
Leanne: “I feel like we know how we feel about each other and everyone in the Villa could see our journey and how we feel, so they’ll see for themselves.”
What is it that you like about each other so much? What’s your favourite thing about each other?
Leanne: “I’ve always said I like his intelligence. He’s very, very smart. He’s got a brain he uses a lot. Obviously… fine sh**. We connected from day one about the most random things. We find random things funny.”
Scott: “She’s a strong woman. I’m a strongly opinionated person and I need someone who can stand on business at times, which I think she did… when she ‘deaded’ it for example! I think elegance. Leanne carries an aura – I’m like mesmerised. I think that’s the main word that comes to mind when I think of her – elegance.
Scott, would you have done things differently?
Scott: “I didn’t kiss anyone else, I didn’t cuddle Sher in bed. But I should have put my arm around Leanne more, checked in with her. I had been so focussed on getting it technically right that I didn’t consider Leanne’s emotions enough in that moment. Every day I woke up and thought, if there was a re-coupling I would have chosen Leanne.”
Leanne – was ending things the best decision you could have made?
Leanne: “I have no regrets. I didn’t actually do it for this result. I did it because that’s how I felt at the time and I meant it. That’s our journey now and I’m glad it’s led us back together.”
What has this taught you about relationships/ yourself?
Leanne: “So much. We’ve learnt so much. I feel like we’re very similar. We struggle to speak about emotions, so we’ve been trying to do that. Also what I need from someone, how to give them what they need.”
Scott: “Trying to communicate better and get across how I’m feeling which I’ve done better as the season’s gone on. I’ve realised stuff when it’s too late and I’m glad that hasn’t happened this time. I’d have regretted every second if it had stayed ‘deaded’. Don’t wait to do something if you feel that way, do it at the time.”
Scott – people have questioned you saying you think things through ‘logically’. Do you think you need to listen to your gut/ heart/ think about emotions more than you do?
Scott: “100%, I’m definitely in a space where I can be more emotional. Spending all that time in the Villa you learn everything – see each other at your worst and best. We’re so comfortable with each other. I feel so comfortable to talk to her and be vulnerable with her. I’m not at my most vulnerable but on my way to getting there. We’re in the best space that we’ve been.”
Are you making boyfriend / girlfriend plans?
Scott: “100%”
Leanne: “No pressure.”
Scott: “Yes, 100% that moment I always wanted to make a moment for her. I don’t think you can make that moment in there. There’s much nicer things and much more meaningful things you can do on the outside.”
What’s the thing you’re most excited to do as a couple in the real world?
Scott: “First date.”
Leanne: “Our first date. And to just chill. Without everyone there, without mics and cameras, just chill together.”
Scott: “A first date and not dealing with opinions and doing what we want to do. I want to take her to Wales, Snowdon…we’re going to have to get past Leanne’s fear of heights.”
Leanne: “Yeah, I’m scared of heights, but I’ll still do it… or we can do half way, then we’ll just go back down.”
Will the Welsh bucket hat ever be binned…?
Scott: “The thing with this is, I bought that hat in 2022, Wales qualified for the World Cup… it’s a good luck charm. I’ll be wearing it in Cardiff… if we don’t get to the world up I will get a new bucket hat.”