A summer of love is just a matter of days away as a bunch of singletons pack their suitcases and head to a Spanish villa hoping to find 'the one'. Of course, that can only mean Love Island is returning to the small screen.
The 2022 series will begin on Monday, June 6, with Laura Whitmore returning as host and her husband and comedian Iain Stirling back with his expert narration. But what we really want to know is who will be heading into the ITV2 reality show's brand new Majorcan villa and spending weeks shouting 'I've got a text!"
The Love Island line-up is being announced by ITV today (May 30) ahead of the series return and it's already an eclectic bunch with a senior microbiologist and an international dressage rider in the mix.
Without further ado, here is who will be looking for love this Summer:
Paige Thorne, 24
The first contestant announced for the show was Paige, a paramedic, who hails from Swansea, Wales. She describes herself as "positive and bubbly" but also "quite mumsy" and is a good cook.
Speaking about why she's joining the show, she said: "In Swansea there is just no-one I can find, I’ve tried and there’s just nobody there anymore. I need to break out and broaden my horizons and Love Island just brings everyone together for me. I haven't got to go out and I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!"
Dami Hope, 26
Dublin-born Dami will be hoping the luck of the Irish is on his side as he heads to Spain this summer. The 26-year-old is a senior microbiologist and describes himself as "very passionate".
Speaking ahead of his Love Island stint, Dami said: "This year I was kind of being more open to new things and I think actually that's why I put myself out there to get some new experiences. Love Island is a different experience, I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some, might go well with others, so it’s a fun experience."
Indiyah Polack, 23
A hotel waitress from London, Indiyah was the third contestant to be announced by ITV for the 2022 series and says she has signed up as she's ready to "start dating properly".
"I feel like I’m at a stage in my life now where I’m ready to meet new people and start dating properly," she said. "I have been single for some time and I feel like for my generation of people, it’s quite hard to date without being influenced by social media and stuff like that. Love Island particularly is like a closed space and I think it is a great place to get to know someone one-on-one and build a real connection."
Liam Llewellyn, 22
Liam Llewellyn is a Masters student, studying Strength & Conditioning, and hails from Newport, South Wales. Having recently turned 22, he believes it is time to meet someone.
"I think 22 is a really nice age to meet someone, you’ve got your years ahead of you so you have time to experience stuff and grow together. I think Love Island is a great opportunity to meet someone, you’re in with a load of different types, so you can get to grips with what you really like about people," he said.
Tasha Ghouri, 23
Tasha is a model and dancer from Thirsk in Yorkshire. She says she'll bring some "wildness" to the villa but describes her dating life so far as a "shambles". She is also the show's first deaf contestant. She has a cochlear implant and says she's regularly called "inspirational" because she is open about her hearing.
Speaking about why she's applied for Love Island, Tasha said: "This is an opportunity for me to find ‘the one’ and have a great summer at the same time. I’m definitely ready for a relationship. I’m 23 now so I’m ready to get to know someone, go on holidays and travel with them."
Davide Sanclimenti, 27
A self-proclaimed Italian Stallion, Davide Sanclimenti, who hails from Rome, will actually be swapping Manchester for the famous villa. But the business owner is hoping his 'Italian charm' will win his fellow Islanders over.
"I think Love Island is going to be so much fun. I’m going to be the Italian stallion in the Villa!" he said. "With my Italian charm, I can also be a very romantic guy. I’m good looking and I’ve realised since I first arrived in Manchester, a lot of English girls actually love me. They love to be around me and I love to be around them. It’s going to be fun, I’m looking forward to it. I want to find my soulmate, find my person so I can actually build something in the future, grow with them, be a family."
Gemma Owen, 19
Gemma lives in Chester, north England and is an international dressage rider as well as a business owner. However, she is likely to be known as her father is former England footballer Michael Owen.
"I've competed for Great Britain in dressage since I was 11-years-old. I’ve travelled all across Europe competing in big arenas in big competitions. I would say I’m very competitive. [When it comes to relationships] I will always go for what I want," she said. "But at the same time, I’m not going to mess up something for someone who is in a proper relationship or get in the way of a couple if they have a genuine connection. I wouldn’t do anything to another girl that I wouldn’t be happy with them doing to me."
Ikenna Ekwonna, 23
Ikenna works in pharmaceutical sales and is from Nottingham. The 23-year-old says he has only had one relationship, "but now I think I’m at the age where I could find someone."
Asked what he thinks he'll be bringing to the villa, he said: "Hopefully, I’m going to bring spontaneity and excitement. I’m not really shy to speak to people and I don’t really care too much about what people think.
Andrew Le Page, 27
International real-estate agent Andrew Le Page, from Guernsey, will be jetting off to the villa this summer. He describes himself as a "good boyfriend" and says now was the right time to go on the show.
"When I’m with someone I'm very loyal, I’m a good boyfriend as when I’m with someone I’m all for them," he said. When asked why now to go on the ITV2 dating programme, he added: "Because I’m actually single for once, so I thought why not? This is the best time to give it a go."
Amber Beckford, 24
Nanny Amber, from London, is looking for love this year and there could be fireworks. While she describes herself as patient, she also admits she is "opinionated".
"As I work with kids I have patience with kids but adults, they annoy me," she said. As for why she's signed up for the show, Amber added: "I think it just feels like the right time. This year it definitely feels like it’s two feet in. I feel like now I’m most definitely ready, and wanting to look for a boyfriend."
Luca Bish, 23
Luca is a young fishmonger from Brighton. He revealed: "I came out of a four-year relationship about a year ago. I was enjoying being in a relationship, there were just things I didn’t like and we drifted apart."
But it appears he's looking for a relationship that will stand the test of time. "When you actually look back at Love Island, you can see how many couples it’s genuinely made. I don’t know how many kids Love Island has made but there are a few aren’t there?" he commented.
