While it may still be cold, dark, and miserable outside, fans of Love Island are set to get a hint of the heat as the series returns to screens next week. After three years, the hit ITV2 dating show is returning for a winter edition and it's all change as not only are they jetting off to a new location, there is also a new host.
The dating show will be back on television screens on Monday, January 16, for its first winter series, set in South Africa, since before the coronavirus pandemic. TV and radio presenter Maya Jama is taking over as host from Laura Whitmore who announced she was stepping down from the show in August following the last summer series.
Maya, 28, will also host the usual summer edition in Majorca later in the year. In a first-look teaser released last month, she appeared with brunette wavy locks and wearing a glittery jumpsuit, seemingly adorned with a sketch of Cupid’s arrow. Also featured was a pink velvet, be-jeweled bucking bronco, with the new host ready to encourage those hoping to find their perfect match to "grab love by the horns".
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And also for the first time, contestants will this series have to disable their social media accounts during their time on the show in a bid to protect both them and their families from online abuse.
But it wouldn't be Love Island without the islanders and ITV are revealing this year's contestants on Monday (January 9), a week before the highy-anticapted series begins. And without further ado, here's a look at your Winter Love Island 2023 line-up:
Tanya Manhenga
Tanya is a biomedical science student and influencer from Liverpool. Asked why Love Island and why now, she replied: "I’m looking for a boyfriend and I think being in a villa with lots of different people will help me work out who it is I may want."
The 22-year-old also shared how she has Vitiligo, a skin pigmentation, but says viewers 'may not even notice it'. "It's on my lip and I have a stripe on my hair. Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute. I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe."
Kai Fagan
Kai is a science and PE teacher from Manchester. The 24-year-old has said he is "single by choice" but is "looking for the right girl." He said: "I feel like I have quite high expectations. I don’t feel I should commit to someone unless I’m absolutely buzzing over them, because it’s not fair on them."
Sharing something people wouldn't know about him Kai added: "I’m a Jamaican citizen. Because of that I played rugby 7s for Jamaica. I play semi-professional rugby now for Burnage RFC. I’ve technically got three different degrees and went to three different unis."
Lana Jenkins
Lana Jenkins is a makeup artist from Luton. And ahead of her stint in the villa, the 25-year-old has confessed to 'falling in love quickly'. She said: "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."
Asked what her claim to fame is, Lana added: "In my work as a makeup artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities. Also, when I was 6-years-old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra."
Ron Hall
Financial advisor Ron will be entering the villa this winter. The 26-year-old from Essex is the show's first partially sighted contestant. "On meeting me, you’d never know I am blind in one eye," he said.
"It was the result of a football injury when I was 8; 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."
Tanyel Revan
Tanyel is a hairstylist from North London. On what she'll bring to the villa, the 26-year-old said: "Energy, confidence, I’m funny, loud, feisty, charismatic."
Shaq Muhammad
Airport security officer Shaq is 24-years-old and is from London. Asked why he's signed up to Love Island, he 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."
Olivia Hawkins
Ring girl and actress Olivia Hawkins will also be appearing in the villa. The 27-year-old, from Brighton, says she's never been in a relationship but is now "ready to settle down and hopefully find the love of my life."
And Olivia has a claim to fame. "I did a film with Jason Statham and had a nice 10-minute convo about life," she revealed. "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
Haris is a TV salesman from Doncaster. The 21-year-old says he's "never found love" and things Love Island could help him do just that. "It’s the best opportunity for me to find the girl and find the right one. I’ve obviously not found the right one myself," he said.
Love Island starts at 9pm Monday 16th January on ITV2 and ITVX.
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