“Get ready for a summer of love,” presenter Maya Jama declared – and with that the new series of ITV’s Love Island kicked off. In a surprise turn of events the first episode shocked viewers with a twist within the first few minutes of airing.
Unlike previous years where boys and girls entered the villa separately the summer 2023 series began with boys and girls arriving at the same time. Just as new Islanders Ruchee Gurung and Jess Harding were getting to know each other they were interrupted by the arrival of Mitchel Taylor.
“It’s so weird there are boys and girls!” Jess said and viewers over on social media were quick to agree. What did you think of the format change? Let us know in the comments.
Read more: Love Island 2023 line-up in full including contestants' ages, jobs and famous links
“I like this new format so far. It's good to see the thirst immediately,” one person wrote after seeing the girls and boys arrive at the same time. A second then said: “I like how they’ve finally switched up the format.”
A third commented: “The format change has thrown me, I’m intrigued into how the coupling is gonna happen.” And a fourth said of the new format: “I like this new show format. I think it will build genuine relationships.”
Ahead of the new series of Love Island ITV confirmed that there would be a twist in the opening episode. No sooner than they'd begun to settle in host Maya told the Islanders that the decision on who they'd couple up with had already been made for them by the public.
Love Island continues on Tuesday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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