Love Island bosses have revealed the show's first contestant ahead of its return to our screens next week.
The dating programme will be back on television screens for its first winter series, set in South Africa, since before the coronavirus pandemic. TV and radio presenter Maya Jama, 28, is taking over as host from Laura Whitmore, 37, who announced she was stepping down in August.
In a first-look teaser released last month, Jama appeared with brunette wavy locks and wearing a glittery jumpsuit, seemingly adorned with a sketch of Cupid's arrow.
READ MORE: Love Island's 2023 return date confirmed by ITV
Also featured was a pink velvet, bejewelled bucking bronco, with the new host ready to encourage those hoping to find their perfect match to "grab love by the horns".
On Monday (January 9), producers said the first Islander from the opening line-up is a 22-year-old from Liverpool. Tanya Manhenga describes herself as a student, studying biomedical science, and influencer.
When asked why Love Island, and why now, Tanya said: "I’m looking for a boyfriend and I think being in a villa with lots of different people will help me work out who it is I may want."
Discussing what gives her the "ick", she added: "Guys that don’t wear socks in the house. Why are your feet flapping all around the house? Guys have huge feet too, yuck. Also, guys in the bathtub with no bubbles, such an ick, no."
Love Island will return to our screens on January 16.
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