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Love Island 2023: Full list of contestants as start date unveiled

Get clued up ahead of your summer trip to the villa

Love Island 2023 logo
Love Island 2023 is heading our way. (ITV/Lifted Entertainment)

Fans of sun, scandal and quality reality telly are in luck because Love Island 2023 just took one step closer to returning to our screens.

The popular game show, in which a handful of scantily clad singles are sent to a sunkissed island and forced to couple up to survive and ultimately win fame and cash, has quickly become a TV highlight for many across the UK and beyond. However, it’s not been without its issues over the years, something that this new series promises to address head-on.

Read more: All the couples who have won Love Island

The programme’s winter spin-off came to a close earlier this year, but fans don’t have to wait long to get another Love Island fix.

What else do we know about Love Island's latest outing and newest batch of contestants? Let’s take a look.

When does Love Island 2023 start?

The winter edition of Love Island aired earlier this year. (ITV Plc).
The winter edition of Love Island aired earlier this year. (ITV Plc).

The summer edition of Love Island 2023 will begin on Monday, 5 June at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX, with episodes airing each night between Sunday and Friday.

Those looking to not miss a minute of the action can get an extra dose of the action live from the Mallorca villa by tuning into additional programming on ITVX, while the main show will once again be accompanied by Love Island: Aftersun for a live post-show debrief on Sundays.

Fans will be able to delve even deeper into the series’ various twists, turns and betrayals with the official Love Island podcast, Love Island: The Morning After, hosted by duo Indiyah Polak and Sam Thompson.

Love Island 2023 contestants

With the show nearing our tellies, details of this year's islanders have started to be revealed. Here's who'll be joining the villa this year.

Ruchee Gurung

Ruchee Gurung joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)
Ruchee Gurung joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)

Age: 24

From: Sutton

Occupation: Beautician

'Elevator pitch' for why someone should want to date her: "I’m really caring, when I’m with someone I’m all about them. I’m also really loyal and love doing nice things for the people that are special to me. My love language is gift-giving, so I’m a real giver when it comes to relationships."

Tyrique Hyde

Tyrique Hyde joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)
Tyrique Hyde joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)

Age: 24

From: Essex

Occupation: Semi-professional footballer

What he thinks he'll bring to the villa: "I’ll bring vibes, confidence, good energy and honesty. I don’t sit on the fence, if I have an opinion I will speak up. I’m also not afraid to go after what I want."

Molly Marsh

Molly Marsh joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)
Molly Marsh joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)

Age: 21

From: Doncaster

Occupation: Musical theatre performer and social media content creator

Something people may not know about her: "I live on a farm with my mum, dad, sister, grandma, grandad, aunty, uncle, cousin, cousin’s husband, their baby and chicken."

George Fensom

George Fensom joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)
George Fensom joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)

Age: 24

From: Bedford

Occupation: Business development executive

How friends/family would describe him: "I’m the first person to bring the vibe up, I’m always dancing, I’m always the one who wants to go out. My go-to dance move is what I call the Dad Dance, I’m gonna bring dad jokes and dad dancing to the Villa."

Catherine Agbaje

Catherine Agbaje joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)
Catherine Agbaje joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)

Age: 22

From: Dublin

Occupation: Commercial real estate agent

'Elevator pitch' for why someone should want to date her: "I’m fun, I’m flirty, I’m just never boring. I can chat your ears off!"

Mehdi Edno

Medhi Edno joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)
Medhi Edno joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)

Age: 26

From: Bordeaux/London

Occupation: Communications manager

Is he ready to find 'the one'? "Yes. I’ve been busy for the last few years with work, and doing my Masters degree but now I’m done with the busy schedule, and ready to find love."

Ella Thomas

Ella Thomas joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)
Ella Thomas joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)

Age: 23

From: Glasgow

Occupation: Model

The one thing she'd want her new fellow Islanders to know about her: "I’d let the boys know that I’m wifey material so don’t play with me!"

Jess Harding

Jess Harding joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)
Jess Harding joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)

Age: 22

From: London

Occupation: Aesthetics practitioner

Why she'd say she's single? "Because every boy is giving me the ick at the moment. I feel like it’s fate because I’m saving myself for Mr Right in the Villa!"

André Furtado

André Furtado joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)
André Furtado joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)

Age: 21

From: Dudley

Occupation: Business owner

What he thinks he'll bring to the villa: "I’m charming, I’m going to bring good looks and some language lessons. I’m going to teach the other Islanders Portuguese, Spanish and a little bit of Creole. I think I’ve got every slice of the pie."

Mitchel Taylor

Mitchel Taylor joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)
Mitchel Taylor joins Love Island 2023. (ITV Plc)

Age: 26

From: Sheffield

Occupation: Gas engineer

What gives him the ‘ick’: "Food in your teeth and counting coins in your hand- when a girl stands at the bar counting out the coins to pay for a drink, it’s not for me!"

Who is hosting Love Island 2023?

Maya Jama is the host of Love Island 2023. (ITV)
Maya Jama is the host of Love Island 2023. (ITV)

The latest series of Love Island will be hosted by Maya Jama who takes over from previous host Laura Whitmore. Jama previously hosted the winter edition of the series which was set in Cape Town, South Africa.

Previous series have been narrated by Scottish comedian Iain Sterling. While it hasn’t yet been confirmed whether or not he’ll return for Love Island 2023, it’s highly likely that he’ll be back.

Who will be starring in Love Island 2023?

Despite the show edging ever closer to our screens, it’s still unclear who will be heading to the villa for this year’s outing. That said, there have been plenty of rumours.

Those with celebrity parents have always proved to be a huge hit with fans and Alison Hammond's 18-year-old son Aiden was quickly rumoured to be taking part. However, Aiden quickly squashed these claims, saying he was “flattered” but had turned down the offer to star.

Alison Hammond and son Aiden Hammond
Alison Hammond and son Aiden Hammond. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Molly Marsh, daughter of Coronation Street and Open All Hours actor Janet Marsh was also in talks to appear, as well as economics graduate and clothing entrepreneur Andrew Furtado but neither has been officially confirmed by ITV.

Love Island controversies

Former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack died in 2020. (Invision/AP)
Former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack died in 2020. (Invision/AP)

Love Island remains one of ITV’s most popular shows but it’s not without its controversies. Since its inception in 2015, four people linked with the series have died by suicide, including previous host Caroline Flack.

In an attempt to tackle the pressures associated with such an intensive reality TV show experience - and the social media aftermath that follows its participants around after leaving the villa - the Love Island production team has introduced a new set of Duty of Care measures for new contestants.

All stars of the 2023 summer series will be asked to temporarily pause their social media accounts whilst on the show in order to be “protected from the adverse effects of social media.”

Players will also receive pre-show video training and an intensive course of guidance offering advice on a range of topics including patterns associated with coercive and controlling behaviour and the importance of mutually respectful behaviour in relationships.

Read more: Love Island contestants to be given training ahead of next series (Independent, 2 min read)

In addition, future Love Island stars will get training on the correct language surrounding race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability and micro-aggressions.

This type of support was trialled during the production of Love Island’s winter series in Cape Town with the aim of facilitating safe spaces and being a good ally to fellow villa mates.

Love Island 2023 contestants will also receive a crucial package of post-show support which will help them to deal with social media, trolling, fame and life after the show.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, the Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.

Love Island 2023 returns on Monday, 5 June at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.