Things are set to heat up in South Africa on Sunday night (February 12) as Love Island brings back its infamous Casa Amor. Dubbed the 'ultimate relationship test', the much anticipated twist sees six new girls and six new boys head to the island to shake things up.
The 12 new bombshells of the winter series of ITV's dating show will be hoping to turn the heads of the 2023 Islanders who are currently coupled up. At the moment the loved-up couples stand as Olivia Hawkins and Kai Fagan, Tanya Manhenga and Shaq Muhammad, Tom Clare and Samie Elishi, Lana Jenkins and Ron Hall, Will Young and Jessie Wynte and new couple Casey O'Gorman and Claudia Fogarty.
But as every Love Island fan knows, Casa Amor often brings the drama and each of these couples will be tested during their time apart. In 2022 it was the girls who were whisked away to spend a few days in the Casa Amor villa with six new boys, whilst the original boys stayed in the main villa and were joined by six new girls.
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Whilst it is unknown how the format will play out this year, here are the male and female bombshells you can expect to see heading onto the show tonight:
Meet the girls
Layla
Layla, 28, from London is full of confidence and 'great chat'. The brand managing director says that she'll standout and that she has her eyes on a few islanders.
“I think that I’ll be a standout Islander. Regardless of being amongst a group of girls, I’ll prove that I stand out. I like to find out lots about people, so I’ll definitely be the one to ask the weird questions," she said.
"Ron is cheeky and he’s like a lad. I really fancy Will, too. My type is Louis Theroux and he just gives that vibe. I also fancy Shaq, but he seems to be unavailable."
The brunette beauty also revealed that he ex is a famous singer, rumoured to be Conor Maynard according to the Daily Star.
"My ex is a famous singer. He wrote a few songs about me since we broke up."
Sammy
Sammy, 27, from Leicester currently lives in Dubai but is jetting over to South Africa in a bid to find love. The blonde beauty buyer knows exactly what she's looking for.
"I need someone to know exactly where he’s going in life, so they’re not intimidated by me. I’m a go-getter. I’m also looking for someone with a big heart, someone that adores his family, and someone who’s a little bit silly," she said.
She also admitted to being a 'morning girl' and said that she is up at the crack of dawn.
"I’m a morning girl, I’m in the ‘5am club’. I like to go windsurfing and I’m very adventurous. I’m a big manifester, I’ve manifested everything that’s come into my life.”
Cynthi
Cynthia, 25, from London has a similar 'grafting' technique to Tom Clare as she says that it is all in the eyes.
"It’s just eye contact… when you don’t look at a guy, they take it that you’re not interested. When you lock the eye contact, that’s when they’re like, ‘OK…’ and they make their move. It’s worked for me in the past.”
The dentist receptionist, who is also a baker by day, hints that she isn't afraid to step on girls' toes.
"I’ll be a girls’ girl, but only to the girls that are my girls. If I have a connection with someone, I can’t stop that connection just because of what’s gone on, because that wouldn’t be fair to myself.”
Sanam
Sanam, 24, from Bedford is a social worker and describes herself as "laid-back and fun," but admits "if there’s ‘that person’ then I mean business."
She has her sights set on a few boys but says that Kai is her first pick. Sanam said: "Kai is my number one. Job wise, I think that we’d connect a lot and I think he’s cute. Tom, I love his beard. He’s not my usual type, but there’s something about him that attracts me physically. Casey, he doesn’t seem that serious and I think you could have fun and banter with him.”
Lydia
Lydia, 22, from Glasgow is "bubbly and chatty" and prides herself on having a good personality.
She said: "You just have to be yourself, looks are only going to get you so far, so being able to listen and have a laugh is a good technique.”
The retail customer assistant knows what she wants from her next man, saying: "I’m looking for someone to bounce off, and someone who is able to support and care for me. Humour is a big thing, too so I’m looking for someone who’s not too serious and can have a laugh.” Better brush up on those jokes, boys."
Lynda
Lynda, 22, from Manchester, who works as a healthcare assistant says she will bring all the fun.
"I’ll be fun, energetic, confident and not afraid to speak my mind or express myself," she said.
She wants a partner who can match her energy, adding: "The most important thing is humour, he needs to be funny and be able to make me laugh. I also need someone that's very energetic and exciting, he can’t be boring. If he’s boring, ‘Bye!’."
Meet the boys
Kain
Kain, 21, a Geordie from Gateshead, is ultimately looking for love in Casa Amor but also can't wait to for a bit of bromance.
"I’m fun, charismatic and energetic. 90% of me is going in there for the girls, but I’d love to have a bit of lad banter while I’m in there as well," he said.
The energy consultant has his eyes on a couple of the girls: "If I had my choice it would be Samie, as soon as I start talking to her I think there's a good chance it could happen. I also like Lana, she’s obviously coupled up, but in Casa Amor the other boys aren’t there so we’ll have to see what happens won’t we."
Ryan
Ryan, 22, from Nottingham is a steel erector with a strong flirting strategy similar to Tom.
"I like to play it cool, I’ll let a girl know if I’m interested but I’d never put pressure on anything. I do like eye contact, Tom’s been doing it a fair bit in there and the girls seem to like it," he said.
But there's a catch, he admitted: "I snore, I’ll have to let the girls know that before we share a bed… hopefully that’s with Samie."
Frankie
Frankie, 22, from Ipswich describes himself as "laid back", but the professional boxer is ready to fight for the girl he wants.
"I don't usually have to do a lot of chasing... so it might be a little bit of a switch up in the villa. I'm aware that I might have to take the boxing gloves off and get the grafting gloves on," he said.
He adds: "Initial attraction needs to be there, but if I can't spend all day with you without getting bored or wanting to go and speak to someone else, then that's a red flag for me."
Maxwell
Maxwell, 23, from London says he won't be holding back in Casa Amor.
"I’ll definitely speak my mind, I won’t be afraid to go after what I want or tell it as it is," he said.
The finance student has his sights set firmly on Samie, "She keeps it real and she seems like she’s not afraid to speak her mind."
Bayley
Bayley, 25, from Surrey prides himself on being an open book.
"I’ll be very open, I’m not afraid to talk about my feelings and give others advice if they need it. I’m also in there for myself, so I’m going to have to put myself first when it comes to the girls. If I tread on a few toes, so be it," he admitted.
The operations manager says girls have to tick one box in particular: "Being family oriented. Family is really important to me, so I need someone to slot in nicely."
Martin
Martin, 27, from Dublin is 'good pals' with 2022 contestant Dami Hope and could be following in his footsteps.
The Irish lad admitted: "I'm excited to go in, cause some confusion, some little problems. It's a 50/50 chance - win or lose - but I'm a winner."
The senior software engineer added: "I have a really nerdy job. I'm into really nerdy stuff. I think the girls like it, but I don't admit it initially, they see it later."
Love Island continues Sunday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
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