Love Island fans were quick to spot a change to the new series - and we're not talking about the overhaul to the format. The hit ITV2 dating show returned to scenes on Monday night (June 5), just months after the second-ever winter series came to an end.
And the show's bosses kept the new batch of contestants on their toes as it returned for its 10th series by revealing the first bombshell who will have the power to break up the freshly paired up couples.
The launch episode saw a number of dramatic twists, with the new islanders first left confused as the boys and girls arrived at the same time and the public had already voted for who they wanted to see coupled up initially.
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Beautician Ruchee Gurung, 24, from Sutton, Surrey, and Jess Harding, 22, an aesthetics practitioner from London, were the first islanders to make their entrance and were shocked when they were joined by gas engineer Mitchel Taylor, 26, from Sheffield. Model Ella Thomas, 23, from Glasgow, and business owner Andre Furtado, 21, from Dudley but born in Portugal, were next in the villa.
The contestants’ confusion was eased by host Maya Jama, who broke the news: "None of you guys will be coupling up with each other as that decision has already been made by the public."
Later in the evening, as the new pairings were getting to know each other, the singletons were given another surprise as the girls were dared to reveal if they were unhappy with their partner – with two stepping forward. And to further raise tensions, Maya announced a new bombshell would be joining them – personal trainer and basketball player Zachariah Noble, 25, from south-east London.
The 28-year-old host revealed: “Zachariah, in 24 hours the power will be in your hands. You’ll get to steal any one of these girls in front of you, not just the girls who have stepped forward. And that will leave one boy single and vulnerable."
And despite the numerous changes to the opening format for Love Island 2023, other viewers noticed another change - the cheeky parrots that featured in the show's ad breaks had gone.
The animated pair were seen at the start of the show and in between the breaks with their cheeky quips and singing as part of the promotion for sponsors Just Eat. However, they won't be on the series this summer as the food delivery brand no longer sponsor Love Island with eBay taking over.
@beeemayhew asked: "Ermmm where are the parrots?! #LoveIsland." @ADADAPPADAN tweeted: "Oiii! Naaa! Where are the parrots 'n lizards 'n that from the end of part/new part bits?!? #LoveIsland #LoveIslandUK." @mumiyo_ echoed: "Errrrrrmmmmm where are the parrots????? where’s my bestie lloyd? what did you guys do?#LoveIsland."
@MitriNola posted: "Noooo.. where are the #LoveIsland parrots?!! They made the countless ad breaks more bearable.. I liked singing along with the pair of them." @_ch4w_ wrote: "JUSTICE FOR THE JUST EAT ANIMALS BRING ME BACK MY PARROTS #LoveIsland." @shannondaly8 added: "Petition to bring back the dancing parrots on love island adverts #LoveIsland."
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