FORMER Ponteland High School pupil Adam Collard finished in fifth place in Love Island villa after he and Paige Thorne were voted the least compatible couple.

Newcastle-based personal trainer and gym owner Adam and Welsh paramedic Paige narrowly missed a spot in this year’s final of the ITV2 hit programme.

Adam, 26, and Paige received the fewest votes from the public after four couples were put at risk following the islanders’ vote for least compatible.

It comes after Sunday’s episode also saw the couple meet each other’s families. Paige’s mother Samantha admitted she was “not buying” her daughter’s relationship with Adam and felt she seemed to get on better with her previous partner Cumbrian rugby-pro Jacques O’Neill who walked earlier in the series.

However, Adam’s father Billy, who was joined by Adam’s friend Micky, said he thought Paige was “amazing” and a “nice, grounded girl”.

On Aftersun, aired immediately after Love Island, Adam said it was “nerve wrecking” being the first bombshell to return to the villa after being a contestant in 2018.

Adam surprised fans in a never-before twist by returning to the Majorcan villa for a second shot at love; he first appeared as a contestant on the fourth series, becoming one of the programme’s most infamous bombshells.

He said he gave the show another chance due to “how good” his experience was the first time, and said that it would be “amazing” if he found a strong connection, which he now feels he has got with Paige.

Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti were crowned winners of Love Island 2022 and took home the £50,000 prize. The couple will split the money after the option to steal it was removed.

Gemma Owen and Luca Bish were runners-up, while Indiyah Pollack and Dami Hope placed third and Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page took home fourth place.

Earlier in the series, Adam and Paige had been the bookies’ favourites to win.