With just a week to go until Maya Jama represents Bristol on the small screen, ITV has revealed this year's winter Love Island line-up. Over the course of the morning, the official Love Island Twitter account has slowly been unveiling the names of this year's glamorous cohort, which includes a TikTok star, a biomedical science student and a teacher.
After much speculation, ITV officially announced in October 2022 that Maya, 27, would be filling Laura Whitmore's shoes as the next presenter of Love Island. The TV personality, who was born in Bristol and went to Cotham School, expressed her excitement at the time, stating that she had "always been such a massive Love Island fan".
ITV began teasing Love Island's return on New Year's Day, releasing a trailer of Bristolian beauty Maya riding a quilted bucking bronco ahead as she told viewers that it was "time to grab love by the horns". The broadcaster has since confirmed that the ninth series of Love Island will start on Monday, January 16 at 9pm.
Read more: Love Island host Maya Jama said yes to ‘golden ticket’ job straight away
But who will be jetting out to South Africa to find love in the winter sun? We've thrown together a list of all the singletons that have been confirmed for the next series of Love Island so far.
Tanya Manhenga, 22
At 8am this morning, Love Island officially announced its first villa resident - biomedical science student Tanya Manhenga. In addition to being dedicated to her studies, Tanya, who is from Liverpool, has over 15,000 Instagram followers as she dabbles in the world of influencing.
A source told The Sun that Tanya has already been "moving in the same circles as former cast members", with the student counting Love Island 2022 star Indiyah Polack amongst her online friends. The insider told the publication: "Tanya really is the whole package, she’s a smart as she is stunning and she looks set to be one this series most popular Islanders.
"She’s an Islander in waiting, already moving in the same circles as former cast members and with brand deals already under her belt. But her followers already know she’s got a personality to match. This year’s cast is a sassy bunch, packed with banter and good chat, and Tanya is set to lead the pack."
Kai Fagan, 24
Science and PE teacher Kai was the second singleton to be announced for this year's winter Love Island. The Mancunian is also a rugby player, having played rugby 7s for Jamaica, of which he is a citizen, and now plays on a semi-professional basis for Burnage RFC in Stockport.
Kai, 24, claims to technically have three different degrees from as many universities, and is on the hunt for "the right girl" after being "single by choice" for a while. He describes himself as being "chilled, caring, very impulsive and a good guy".
However, Kai, who has around 2,000 Instagram followers, does have "high expectations". He said: "I don’t feel I should commit to someone unless I’m absolutely buzzing over them, because it’s not fair on them."
Lana Jenkins, 25
Make-up artist Lana Jenkins will be joining Tanya and Kai in the villa this winter as she searches for love. The Luton native's claim to fame is that she has made up the faces of numerous celebrities, and has said she falls in love "quickly".
Ahead of the series, Lana said: "I fall in love quickly. I tend to know quite soon if I could fall in love with that person and then, as long as everything is going well, I’ll probably tell them I love them in about a week."
Whilst she's quick to fall in love, Lana has said that there are some lines that can't be crossed. Discussing what gives her the ick, she said: "I don't mind people texting me all the time but if you send me question marks if I've not replied to you in a while, you're gone.
"That's a really big red flag for me! Also if I see a guy trip over, that's an instant turn off."
Ron Hall, 25
Financial advisor Ron is set to bring his "Essex boy charm" to the South African manor house, in addition to "fun and charisma", he hopes. The 25-year-old, who has around 3,000 Instagram followers, describes himself as the "most genuine person you'll meet" and his looking to "have good times and make memories" as he searches for love on national TV.
Prior to his time in the villa, Ron has opened up about an injury he sustained in childhood that left him blind in one eye. He said: "On meeting me, you'd never know I am blind in one eye.
"It was the result of a football injury when I was eight; I went in for a header and got kicked in the face. I've got two different coloured eyes, one blue and one green. It's added to my character - there are so many people that are worse off than me.
"And if anything, losing something like that makes you realise that. It's not hindered me in any shape or form. It's a good conversation starter, I must admit."
Anna-May Robey, 20
Swansea's Anna-May Robey is joining the other cast members to find love in South Africa as she simply "wants a boyfriend". The 20-year-old payroll advisor is hoping to fall in love in the villa after once going on a date with someone who fell asleep at the table, forcing her to clink his glass to wake him up.
Ahead of entering the villa, Anna-May, who has around 4,500 Instagram followers, said: "I want a boyfriend, I want to find someone who makes me laugh.
"I've been single for quite a while, my mother is bugging me, she's like, 'You need to find a boyfriend.' I'm just excited to try something new and I think going on Love Island is a good way to meet someone."
Anna-May works from home, and her family often tell her to "shut up!" as she doesn't really speak to people in person for a few days a week, meaning she can be overly chatty with her parents. Claiming that her family would describe her as "energetic" and a "chatterbox", Anna-May added: "I'm always running around screaming and singing."
Will Young, 23
TikTok users may notice Will from the social media platform, as the 23-year-old farmer often shares clips of his sweet lambs, or of him dancing in the field. The Buckinghamshire influencer has racked up a staggering 1.1 million followers on TikTok, and over 31 million likes.
Before the show kicks off next week, Will said: "Having grown up on a farm, it’s been quite difficult juggling relationships and work. Love Island will give me time away from the farm to solely go out and find love. I think I’m at the time of my life where I’m mature enough to go and find a wife."
Previously in his love life, Will was seeing a girl who was hugely into meditating. Whilst Will is no longer with this girl, her hobbies have stuck with him, and he claims that he lights a candle and meditates for 20-25 minutes.
Will said: "It’s a nice way to self reflect, taking a minute on my day/ week. It’s really nice and sets me up for a nice sleep."
Tanyel Revan, 26
North London's Tanyel Revan will be warming the villa up this winter with her "energy and confidence", stating before her reality TV stint: "I’m funny, loud, feisty, charismatic."
Claiming to be 'hard to get', hair stylist Tanyel said that the best thing about her is that she's "a very loyal person". "What is there not to love?" she added.
Speaking of her celebrity crush, Tanyel said: "I don’t like pretty boys, they give me the ‘ick’ because they always have a crap personality. Channing Tatum is handsome but not too pretty.
"He’s manly and he can dance. If a man can dance I’m in love with him straight away."
Shaq Muhammad, 24
Airport security officer Shaq is the "talk of the terminal" as he prepares to get hearts racing in the villa. The 24-year-old from London is hoping to fall in love under the South African sun after not having too much luck in his dating life.
Shaq said: "I haven’t had the best luck with previous relationships. So I thought, why not be in the sun and potentially meet the love of my life?
"Hopefully I do come out with my future wife. The person I hope to marry one day. Hopefully she’s in the villa."
Shaq has admitted to falling in love quickly, saying he's "the type of person that wears my heart on my sleeve". He revealed: "If I find someone I click with, I fall very hard, very fast. Sometimes that can be a bad thing. I’m a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse."
Olivia Hawkins, 27
Brighton's Olivia Hawkins is a ring girl and actress who has had an impressive career, having worked with the likes of Jason Statham, Daniel Craig and KSI. Her appearance in the villa will not be her first time in front of camera as Olivia has previously worked as a body double for Emma Watson and Michelle Keegan.
The 27-year-old has never been in a relationship, but is hoping this will change on the show. Speaking about what she will bring to the villa, Olivia said: "I’ll bring fun, vibes, I’m a very confident, bubbly person…. maybe a little bit of drama!"
On the topic of her glitzy career, Olivia said: "I did a film with Jason Statham and had a nice 10-minute convo about life. I've been a ring girl for KSI, I played a waitress in James Bond with Daniel Craig and I’ve also been a body double for Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson."
Haris Namani, 21
TV salesman Haris Namani from Doncaster has never found love before, and thinks Love Island is "the best opportunity" for him to "find the right one". He said: "I’ve never taken a girl home, I’m not going to say I’ve fallen in love until I’ve taken them to meet my mum and dad or sisters and brother."
On the topic of what he'll bring to the villa, Haris said: "I’m different, I’m a unique guy, the way I act; confident, not awkward, especially with the girls.
"I’m friendly, I’m very respectful as well. Anyone who meets me, I don’t think they have anything bad to say about me.
"I don’t give them that bad impression to say, ‘Oh, I don’t want to speak to him again."
Love Island starts at 9pm Monday 16th January on ITV2 and ITVX.
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