Laura Whitmore has confessed that while she's looking forward to returning to hosting duties on Love Island, she's also "scared" about heading to Casa Amor.
The 11 contestants to first step into this year's "fresh villa" were announced on Monday and Laura, 37, will once again be on hend to present the popular ITV dating programme from a new location in Mallorca.
Among those ready to find love from next Monday include former England striker Michael Owen's daughter Gemma, a paramedic and dancer Tasha Ghouri, who will become the show's first ever deaf contestant.
According to bookmakers William Hill, Gemma and Welsh masters student Liam Llewellyn are already among the frontrunners to win the show, both with 11/4 odds.
Whitmore confessed she was particularly excited about entering the new villa as during the 2021 series she was only allowed into the garden area of the house due to Covid precautions.
She said: "I didn't really know the previous villa in Mallorca. So it's quite nice to go in with a fresh villa."
The TV host admitted she thinks the show has become so popular in recent years because viewers "just love being part of people's relationships and seeing people's journeys".
She continued: "With this show we almost think they are family. Eight weeks seems like a short time in life, but on that show it feels like a lifetime.
"We really become invested in these relationships. The islanders are looking for love and know that the nation will be watching."
And she's revealed she gets "really scared" she might give something away to the contestants while filming, especially when it comes to the ultimate relationship test of Casa Amor.
The annual tradition on the reality show sees all the couples split temporarily as the male islanders are sent packing to a rival villa to meet a new group of girls.
The intention is to test the relationships to the full and see if new contestants can woo their way into the main villa.
Whitmore said: "I can't make eye contact during Casa Amor. Even though they all try and make eye contact with me.
"They're all trying to look at me and I'm kind of keeping my eyes down.
"I have to really go into professional mode and not talk any more than I'm supposed to talk. I have to be unbiased."
Love Island: Aftersun will also return to ITV2 from a new set at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire.
Whitmore confirmed the show will have a bigger studio audience than last year due thanks to COVID restrictions being lifted, and she feels this will help the islanders as they will be able to see a glimpse of the public support once they leave the villa.
Whitmore first hosted Love Island in 2020, taking over from the late Caroline Flack, who presented the first five series.
The show returned to Mallorca last year after a summer off due to the pandemic, and Liam Reardon and Millie Court were crowned eventual winners.
ITV recently revealed that contestants will receive training and guidance on inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, behaviours and microaggressions before entering the villa as part of their "extended duty of care protocols".
The broadcaster confirmed that among the processes detailed for all contributors on the show are "comprehensive psychological support", "detailed conversations regarding the impact of participation on the show" and a "proactive aftercare package".
*Love Island starts at 9pm Monday 6th June on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox.
