Get ready for a long hot... winter? That's right, Love Island is returning to South Africa for the first of two series this year.
As Love Island gets ready to heat up the winter with its ninth series and new host Maya Jama, who will be guiding these new islanders through the twists and turns of coupling up in what's being described as a jaw-dropping Villa.
It's also been announced that Indiyah Polak and Sam Thompson are the new hosts of official podcast Love Island: The Morning After.
They will also join Maya Jama live in London every Sunday night for Love Island: Aftersun, where they’ll deep dive into the latest news from the sun-drenched South African Villa, share unseen clips and chat to celebrities, Islanders’ family, friends and more.
One thing hasn't changed though, and that's the inimitable Iain Stirling who returns each night to narrate the series as more singletons desire, date and dump potential suitors
from the Island.
It's time to meet the first 10 islanders entering the Villa...
Tanya Manhenga
22, Liverpool
Student (Biomedical Science) & Influencer
Why Love Island and why now?
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.
What gives you the ‘ick’?
Guys that don’t wear socks in the house. Why are your feet flapping all around the house? Guys have huge feet too, yuck. Also, guys in the bathtub with no bubbles, such an ick, no.
Tell us something not many people know about you?
I have Vitiligo, which is a skin pigmentation, you 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
24, Manchester
Science & PE Teacher
Why would you say you’re single?
I’m single by choice. I’m looking for the right girl. 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.
How would friends/family describe you?
Chilled, caring, very impulsive and a good guy. I always put my friends and family first and spend a lot of time with them.
Tell us something not many people know about you?
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
25, Luton
Makeup Artist
What gives you the ‘ick’?
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.
Do you fall in love quickly?
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.
What’s your claim to fame?
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
25, Essex
Financial Advisor
What do you think you’ll bring to the Villa?
Fun and charisma. I just want to be naturally myself in there, have good times and make memories. I think people will enjoy my company.
Tell us something not many people know about you?
On meeting me, you’d never know I am blind in one eye. 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.
What’s your ‘elevator pitch’ for why someone should want to date you?
I’m the most genuine person you’ll meet. I’m genuine, caring and I’m a nice person - which you don’t find these days.
Anna-May Robey
20, Swansea
Payroll Administrator
Why Love Island and why now?
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.
Best / worst date story?
I went on a date once and I never saw him again. We went for food and shared a bottle of wine. As I was speaking to him he fell asleep! I had to clink his wine glass to wake him up.
How would friends/family describe you?
Energetic. I’m always running around singing and screaming. My parents are always like, ‘Shut up!’ I work from home all day so I don’t really speak to people in person for two or three days a week, so when my father comes home, he’ll want to sit down and chill out, and I’m there chewing his ear off! I would definitely say I am a chatterbox.
Will Young
23, Buckinghamshire
Farmer
Why Love Island and why now?
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.
Tell us something not many people know about you?
Every night I light a candle and meditate for 20-25 minutes. A girl I was seeing told me to meditate, I tried it and loved it. I stopped seeing her and carried on meditating! 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.
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
Sir David Attenborough. Imagine hearing his calming voice talking while he’s feeding the animals, his top off, some short shorts… he would rock it.
Tanyel Revan
26, North London
Hair Stylist
What do you think you’ll bring to the Villa?
Energy, confidence, I’m funny, loud, feisty, charismatic.
What’s your ‘elevator pitch’ for why someone should want to date you?
I’m hard to get, confident, funny, charismatic, good looking and happy. I’m also a very loyal person, what is there not to love?
Who is your celebrity crush?
Channing Tatum - 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, London
Airport Security Officer
Why Love Island and why now?
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.
Do you fall in love quickly?
My family and friends would say I do. I’m the type of person that wears my heart on my sleeve. 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.
Tell us something not many people know about you?
Every time I watch Dear John I cry. That’s my favourite film. Any time I’m with someone and they say, ‘Let’s watch a romantic film’, I’m like, ‘How about Dear John, how does that sound?’
Olivia Hawkins
27, Brighton
Ring Girl & Actress
Why Love Island and why now?
I’m 27 and I’ve never been in a relationship so I feel like now I’m really ready to settle down and hopefully find the love of my life.
What do you think you’ll bring to the Villa?
I’ll bring fun, vibes, I’m a very confident, bubbly person…. maybe a little bit of drama!
What’s your claim to fame?
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, Doncaster
TV Salesman
Love Island starts Monday 16th January at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX