Love Island 2019 update - everything you need to know

From Digital Spy

Love Island broke all sorts of records last year, proving to be the biggest series to date.

2019's show has some pretty big shoes to fill, but it already looks like it's set to be a very dramatic summer in the Love Island villa.

Related: Love Island 2018: Where are the islanders now?

Here's everything we can tell you about series five...

Love Island 2019 cast: Meet the Islanders

We have our new batch of Love Island contestants.

Strictly Come Dancing's AJ Pritchard's little brother Curtis is in the mix, along with boxer Tommy Fury. These lads both entered at the end of episode one, as the villa's first bombshells, and have been serving up the drama ever since.

The 2019 cast also includes scientist Yewande Biala, firefighter Michael Griffiths and surfer Lucie Donlan.

You can see the full Love Island 2019 line-up below:

We caught up with the brand new cast just before the launch.

Following some rumours surrounding his relationship status, Tommy Fury said that he is single and ready to mingle.

Cabin crew manager-turned-Love Islander Amy Hart actually sparked something of a celebrity feud after alleging an awkward confrontation with TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp mid-flight. Allsopp hit back, branding Amy's claims "absurd".

As for Curtis Pritchard, he made what he is looking for in the villa quite clear.

"If I had to say what my 'supposed' type would be I'd say blonde hair, athletic body, respects themselves and not too fake," the Dancing with the Stars professional dancer told Digital Spy.

"Just somebody that looks after themselves and doesn't go out drinking all the time, looking after themselves a bit, a bit of hygiene – a whole variety of things really," he elaborated. "I don't really need to go into too much detail into that."

If you want more of the lowdown on the brand new Islanders, check out our first impressions:

Love Island 2019 couples: Who is partnered with who?

Of course, it's Love Island, so things don't always stick for long.

But this is the current couple situation in the villa:

Curtis and Amy (now 'exclusive')

Joe and Lucie (now 'exclusive')

Tommy and Molly-Mae (a possible romantic coupling)

Anton and Amber (a friendship coupling)

Michael and Yewande (a friendship coupling)

Anna is now officially single, following Sherif's sudden departure from the villa.

Danny Williams, the latest guy to show up, is also not currently coupled with anyone (but, so far, he has been showing interest in Yewande and Molly-Mae).

Two new girls, Maura Higgins and Elma Pazar, are set to enter the villa to shake things up.

We'll need to wait until the next recoupling to see how that might affect the romances...

Love Island 2019 Sherif Lanre: Why did he leave?

It was announced on June 11 that original Islander Sherif had left the villa, and the circumstances surrounding his exit still seem unclear.

"After breaking the villa rules, Sherif had conversations with the producers and it was mutually agreed that he would leave the Love Island villa," a spokesperson for the ITV2 show confirmed.

Sherif added: "In a case of poor judgement, I broke the villa rules and as a result agreed with the producers that it was best for me to leave the villa.

"I regret that I didn't conduct myself in the right way and, as a 20 year old guy, it's something I know I will take on board and learn from. I really enjoyed my time in the villa and look forward to catching up with everyone on the outside."

The subject was addressed very briefly in the episode that followed, when narrator Iain Stirling said: "Earlier today, following conversations with the producers, Sherif left the villa. But for other Islanders, it's another day in paradise."

Footage wasn't actually shown of the other Islanders reacting to Sherif's exit, leaving viewers and even former Love Island cast members unsatisfied.

Love Island 2019 start date: When is it on?

With the 2018 offering boasting a launch show that was the most-watched of all four series – drawing in an impressive 3.4 million – it's hardly surprising that ITV2 wasted very little time in confirming its recommission.

In fact, bosses have hinted that it could run for at least another five years.

Love Island officially welcomed a new bunch of singles to the villa on Monday, June 3 at 9pm on ITV2, and will be continuing in that slot for the next eight weeks.

In the lead-up to launch, we were treated to a cheeky sneak-peek at this year's female Islanders as they arrived at the villa to meet host Caroline Flack and prepared for the first coupling of the series.

As if that wasn't enough of a series five taster, the official 2019 swimsuit photos were also released prior to launch night.

Love Island 2019 format: Will there be any big changes?

Last year saw quite a few format shake-ups, including a smoking ban within the Love Island villa and the main garden area.

This year there have been rumours that one of the most dramatic parts of the dating show might be cut. According to The Sun, producers could be considering scrapping Casa Amor altogether for the 2019 series in order to keep the twists fresh.

Fans of the show will no doubt remember that the second villa provided some of last year's most shocking moments.

It was the place where Josh Denzel met Kaz Crossley and subsequently dumped Georgia Steel, and it also sparked controversy when Jack Fincham met ex Ellie Jones there, leading Dani Dyer to believe that his head had been turned.

In other news, it has now been revealed that Love Island has made one big change to the villa this year.

There is also a big old question mark over whether or not the lie detector test will be returning for 2019.

We'll be bringing you all of the latest updates and announcements as and when we get them.

Love Island 2019 applications: How can I apply?

Love Island 2019 applications are still open, and you can find all the details here:

Related: No, Love Island hasn't made this change to its application process

Applications close on July 15, 2019. All applicants must be aged 18 on or before the closing date of July 15, must hold a passport valid until at least August 31, 2019, and be exclusively available to participate in the programme for a minimum of eight consecutive weeks from May 2019.

You'd best be quick, as last series saw the show gaining more applicants than Oxford and Cambridge combined. Blimey.

Love Island 2019: What are they looking for?

According to the application form, ITV is looking for "vibrant singles" from all different parts of the UK.

"The chosen cast will spend time in a luxury villa, getting to know one another – but to remain in paradise they must win the hearts of the public who ultimately decide who stays," it read.

A Love Island spokesperson also previously told Digital Spy: "Anyone is welcome to apply – the only stipulation is that applicants are over 18 and single."

Love Island 2019 final: How do I get tickets?

Believe it or not, the Love Island 2019 final is already listed on Applause Store.

You can register now to be among the first to find out the details once they're released – but it does ask that you're aged 18 or over and "in Spain at the end of July".

Love Island 2019 Aftersun: Is it coming back?

Caroline Flack previously confirmed that the much-loved spin-off show would be back, and the first episode of 2019 aired on Sunday, June 9.

This is also currently listed on Applause Store, so if you'd like to be in the show audience you can register your interest now.

Love Island 2019: Will there be more than one series?

It might be a consideration, apparently.

There's been a lot of talk about the possibility of adding LGBTQ+ couples. Although ITV has previously said that introducing same-sex relationships into the villa would "complicate" the format, executive producer Richard Cowles later said that the idea could be explored in its own dedicated series.

"We've had bisexual people in the show – for a dating show, you need everyone to fancy everyone, so if you have gay and heterosexual in the same place, they're not going to fancy each other," he outlined after the show's BAFTA win for Best Reality and Constructed Factual. "[So] we'd have to [have a] dedicated show [for that]… Absolutely we'd consider two series a year."

We're up for this. On both counts.

Love Island 2019 hosts: Who will present?

Caroline Flack is clearly back (and we'd be disappointed if she wasn't).

And, of course, Iain Stirling is dishing out his impeccable voiceover each night.

They're both just part of the Love Island furniture at this point, right?

Love Island returns on Monday, June 3 on ITV2, and you can catch up on the show via ITV Hub.

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