Love Island is back in just a matter of days, but ahead of the 2023 start date, ITV bosses have announced a major twist. Viewers of the popular ITV1 dating show get to choose which bombshell they want to head into the villa first.
The announcement comes after Love Island confirmed the season 9 contestants, and while fans are eager to meet the line-up, it looks like a late arrival will be joining during the launch episode to shake things up. Who that late arrival is will be up to the public, with fans of the show able to choose between two bombshells.
The choice is between 25-year-old Ellie Spence, a Business Development Executive at a law firm from Norwich, or Tom Clare, a 23-year-old semi-pro footballer from Barnsley. Voting opened at 8am on Thursday, January 12 and is free via the Love Island App. The bombshell with the highest number of votes will be chosen to enter the villa, votes close at 9pm on Friday, January 13
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Ellie, who says she'll bring "drama, fun and a bit of unpredictability" to the villa, said of joining the show: "I’ve been single for three years and the roster is pretty dry, it’s been dry for the last year, I don’t know what happened, it’s just not been a great time for me so I’m ready to find my husband."
Asked how her family and friends would describe her, Ellie said: "Super caring and kind but also a little bit of a liability, but in a fun way. You know when you have the mums of the group when you go out? I’m the one swinging on the chandelier refusing to go home. I’m definitely a good time girl."
Ellie believes she's single because she falls in and out of love really quickly. She said: "I could literally fall in love with a chair and then a week later be like, 'Oh wait, no, that's a chair…' I fall in love quickly because I build up a character of someone in my head and then they breathe in the wrong direction and I’m like, 'Next!'"
While Tom, who calls himself a "good laugh and a good vibe," explained: "I want to meet someone. It’s good going out and having a laugh but I miss sharing stuff. Life’s too short. These opportunities don’t come around often."
He added: "Friends and family would describe me differently. Obviously my mum thinks I’m the most amazing person in the world. She thinks I’m the best thing ever, bless her. My family know how loyal and genuine I am. I’d just do anything for anyone and I always treat someone how they treat me. I judge people on how they are with me. My friends would think I’m a good laugh, a top guy to be around, probably take all the girls off them… "
On wy he's still single, Tom said: "Since my ex-girlfriend, no-one’s really come to me and I’ve thought, ‘Wow’. Until I have that, I’m not really going to settle for less. Not in a bad way, but the next person I get with, I want to marry."
Either Ellie or Tom will join the cast which includes payroll administrator Anna-May Robey from Swansea, Michelle Keegan body double and Bond star Olivia Hawkins, farmer and TikTok star Will Young, and student and influencer Tanya Manhenga.
Also in the 2023 line-up are science and PE teacher Kai Fagan, makeup artist Lana Jenkins, financial advisor Ron Hall, hair stylist Tanyel Revan, airport security officer Shaq Muhammad, and TV salesman Haris Namani. You can see the Love Island 2023 line-up in full here.
Love Island starts Monday, January 16 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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