Love Island's viewing figures suffered a blow last night as just 1.4 million tuned in to watch the launch of the new winter series.
Maya Jama made her on-screen debut on first episode of the series, which launched less than a month after Christmas and took place in a vill in South Africa.
As the first set of couples formed, the ITV dating show failed to pull in the big numbers it has seen for previous launch shows on Monday night.
Just 1.4 million fans tuned in to watch the Islanders strut into the villa in their swimwear in the hopes of finding romance.
Meanwhile, the first winter series which aired in January 2020 and saw Paige Turley and Finn Tapp take the crown, saw 2.5 million fans tune in.
The show has consistently seen 2.5 million viewers watch the launch episodes for the last three seasons.
Meanwhile series five, which saw Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea take the £50,000 prize, was the show's most successful launch with 3.3 million viewers.
Despite the lower-than-usual figures, the programme pulled in ITV2's biggest audience since the Love Island reunion aired after Ekin-Su and Davide took the crown.
As well as a brand new villa – said to be the show's raunchiest ever – and a new set of sexy singletons on the look out for love, viewers were able to watch the launch on ITV's mew streaming platform, ITVX.
It appears viewers are going increasingly digital as the programme was streamed 2.5 million times last night – making the show the biggest with a 16-34 audience so far this year and since the World Cup.
Fans were also treated to a brand new host as Maya, 28, made her Love Island debut last night as she strutted through the villa following Laura Whitmore's decision to quit the show in August.
The show's new presenter was flooded with praise on social media.
One fan wrote: "Maya Jama is what this show needed," followed by a series of flame emojis.
While another viewer joked: "Ngl if I was going on the show and found out Maya was hosting I would withdraw my application #LoveIslandUK".
As a third said: "I’ll be watching #LoveIslandUK for maya jama that’s itttt".
Meanwhile, the Islanders brought plenty of drama to the first episode as Olivia Hawkins stole Kai Fagan from Anna-May Robey before he dropped Olivia to couple up with Tanyel Revan.
When asked for her reaction by Maya, Olivia simply said: "It is what it is."
Fans spotted the look on 27-year-old actress Olivia's face as Kai, 24, decided to partner with Tanyel, 26, over her.
One said: "Olivia is fuming that the guy who didn’t step forward for her might be attracted to other women…make it make sense #LoveIsland".
Another wrote: "The side eye Olivia just gave him was the most interesting thing I’ve seen all episode. Another Sassy Olivia , please and thanks! #LoveIsland."
While a third said: "Olivia said SIDE EYE, SIDE EYEEEEEE #loveisland."
Later on in the episode, bombshell Tom Clare entered the villa and was introduced by Maya just as the couples began to get to know one another.
The host announced that Tom Clare, a 23-year-old semi-pro footballer from Barnsley, was chosen to enter the villa as a bombshell following a public vote.
Tom is single - but he will now get a chance to choose which Islander he wants to couple up with in 24 hours, leaving one Islander vulnerable.
