PHOTOS of Love Island's Nicole Samuel's 18th birthday have been unearthed.

The model, 24, from Wales is currently coupled up with Ciaran Davies in the famous villa.

In the photos taken from her birthday celebration in 2018, she's nearly unrecognisable.

Before her auburn and blonde locks, they were dyed a dark chocolate brown - which she'd straightened poker straight.

She wore a pink sache which read "18 and legal" in big black letters.

Nicole wore a skin-tight black dress with a plunging neckline, showing off her curves, and teamed it with a choker necklace.

The photos were shared by her mum who said Nicole and the family "had a ball" for her birthday in Cardiff.

This comes after Nicole's rugby player ex-boyfriend was revealed.

She dated Paddy McBride, who is a deadringer for her current squeeze Ciaran.

Nicole and Paddy dated two years ago during lockdown.

A source told The Sun: "They were a big part of each other's family and it was pretty serious for a while, but things didn't work out between them.

"Paddy has since moved on and recently had a baby."

Nicole's short relationship with Ciaran hasn't been without its drama.

Tensions boiled over just days into the series as Nicole and Harriett Blackmore clashed after the latter broke girl code.

Nicole, 24, was initially paired with Sean Stone but quickly began bonding with Ciaran, who was partnered with Brighton girl Harriett.

Despite knowing Nicole had the hots for Ciaran, Harriett decided to crack on with him without warning.

When Nicole found out they had snogged in bed, she fumed to Jess White: "Is she taking the pi**? He kissed her last night.

"She just pulled me and said 'be honest with me, be honest with me'. Didn't even f***ing tell me Jess, that he kissed her last night in bed.

"She can f*** off. So can he."