Love Island star Lucie Donlan’s mum insists ‘bev’ is a real word and claims the catchphrase is named after her Chihuahua

"It originated because she calls her Chihuahua Bevnish. Then it went Bev. And then, you know the word "boo," how it means someone you adore? That was our version.

"She's called her last two boyfriends "bev,"

That includes 2018 Islander Charlie Frederick who Lucie dated last year.

In an Instagram comment, Charlie said: "It's been an awesome journey being part of Love Island and what an experience it was.

"But for me it didn't really work out the way I was hoping... but things could't of worked out better for me finding this bev!"

The 21-year-old surfer coined the term to describe someone who is sexy, or if an outfit is a little saucy, while bevnish meant to have sex.

She told fans: "A bev is a hot guy. If he's your boyfriend he's your bev, but if he's not your boyfriend he's a bev."

The phrase has split viewers - with some even suggesting she made up the word purely to have a catchphrase on Love Island.

Sam Bird, who starred on the show last year, has also accused her of scrambling to pick an obvious “winner” after she coupled up with Joe Garratt.

However, it seems her head has been turned by boxing hunk Tommy Fury already.

Sam told The Sun Online: “In the history of Love Island, the first week has always been quite a big week for the winners because every year two people who started off in a couple have won.

“If you had to pick a winner, just based on the VT and early days, you’d pick Joe.

“He’s a classic winner, Lucie knows that.”

In the last three series of Love Island, the winners met and coupled up in the first week, including – Jack and Dani (2018), Kem and Amber (2017) and Nathan and Cara (2016).

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