Love Island has confirmed the first influx of islanders a week ahead of the 2022 series kick-off.
It’s a mixed bag so far with this year’s crop of singletons including a senior microbiologist and a hotel waitress.
So will they be each other’s type on paper and who will get pied off?
Helping them will be Laura Whitmore who resumes hosting duties as the show returns to ITV2 on June 6 in a brand new villa.
Name: Gemma Owen
Age: 19
From: Chester
Occupation: International Dressage Rider and Business Owner
Why Love Island and why now? I am open to finding love, I’m wanting to have a really fun summer. I was seeing someone and then that didn’t work out so I thought, “Why not?”
What do you think you’ll bring to the Villa? I would say I’m fun, flirty and fiery. I think I’m good at giving advice, I’m a good person to talk to, I’m very honest. If I want the same guy, I’d do it but in a nice respectful way.
How competitive are you? Sport has always been a big thing for me and my family. My dad was a professional football player. I’ve competed for Great Britain in dressage since I was 11-years-old. I’ve travelled all across Europe competing in big arenas in big competitions. I would say I’m very competitive. [When it comes to relationships] I will always go for what I want. But at the same time, I’m not going to mess up something for someone who is in a proper relationship or get in the way of a couple if they have a genuine connection. I wouldn’t do anything to another girl that I wouldn’t be happy with them doing to me.
Name: Luca Bish
Age: 23
From: Brighton
Occupation: Fishmonger
Why Love Island and why now? When you actually look back at Love Island, you can see how many couples it’s genuinely made. I don’t know how many kids Love Island has made but there are a few aren’t there?
Why would you say you’re single at the moment? I came out of a four-year relationship about a year ago. I was enjoying being in a relationship, there were just things I didn’t like and we drifted apart.
Do you like dating? How do you like to meet potential partners? I prefer to meet girls out and about. I think when you go looking for it, it’s not as easy though, it’s like you’re too desperate for it. If I think you’re the one or I like you, I’ll take you out on a date but other than that, if we talk and I don’t like where it’s going - then I won’t be throwing out dates.
Name: Amber Beckford
Age: 24
From: London
Occupation: Nanny
Why Love Island and why now? I think it just feels like the right time. This year it definitely feels like it’s two feet in. I feel like now I’m most definitely ready, and wanting to look for a boyfriend.
What do you think you’re going to bring to the Villa? Hopefully fun! Have some chit chat with the girls. I can definitely be opinionated so I’m not sure how that’s going to go down. As I work with kids I have patience with kids but adults, they annoy me!
What would you say gives you the ick? I don’t like guys that show off. I don’t like flashy, showy-offy guys - just have a personality and make me laugh. There was this one guy and he was trying to purposefully show off his car keys and we were literally in the middle of a restaurant!
Name: Andrew Le Page
Age: 27
From: Guernsey, currently lives in Dubai
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Why Love Island and why now? Because I’m actually single for once, so I thought why not? This is the best time to give it a go.
Why do you think you’re a catch? What makes you a good partner? When I’m with someone I’m very loyal, I’m a good boyfriend as when I’m with someone I’m all for them.
Do you have a memorable dating experience? With my ex, we went out for dinner for her birthday. I pretended that I got her absolutely nothing and she was kind of fuming. Then I whipped out that, ‘We’re actually going to Paris tomorrow’. She was very happy with that!
Name: Ikenna Ekwonna
Age: 23
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales
Why Love Island and why now? I’ve only been in one past relationship but now I think I’m at the age where I could find someone.
What do you think you’re going to bring to the Villa? Hopefully, I’m going to bring spontaneity and excitement. I’m not really shy to speak to people and I don’t really care too much about what people think.
Do you have a memorable dating experience? I took my ex on holiday for her birthday. We went to Barcelona for four nights and I was pretty young then, maybe like 19-20. It was for her birthday so she didn’t know about it. It was quite a lot of money to spend for that age.
Name: Davide Sanclimenti
Age: 27
From: Rome, Italy (lives in Manchester)
Occupation: Business Owner
Why Love Island and why now? I think Love Island is going to be so much fun. I’m going to be the Italian stallion in the Villa! With my Italian charm, I can also be a very romantic guy. I’m good looking and I’ve realised since I first arrived in Manchester, a lot of English girls actually love me. They love to be around me and I love to be around them. It’s going to be fun, I’m looking forward to it. I want to find my soulmate, find my person so I can actually build something in the future, grow with them, be a family.
What do you think you’re going to bring to the Villa? My personality and my Italian charm. I’m 27 now, I’m getting serious about my life and my goals. My biggest dream is to find someone I can spend the rest of my life with.
How would your friends and family describe you? They would say that I’ve got a good heart, I’m a very deep person. For the people around me, I’m always there, ready to support and help them in a moment of need.
Name: Tasha Ghouri
Age: 23
From: Thirsk
Occupation: Model & Dancer
Why Love Island and why now? My dating life has been a shambles. This is an opportunity for me to find ‘the one’ and have a great summer at the same time. I’m definitely ready for a relationship. I’m 23 now so I’m ready to get to know someone, go on holidays and travel with them.
How would your family and friends describe you? They would definitely describe me as wild. I can get very wild on a night out, I’m definitely a party animal. I love my prosecco and to have a dance - I’m always on the dance floor. I’m very loyal to my friends and family, I’ll always have their backs. I’m the type of person to put others before me. They would definitely say I’m a nap queen - I love napping! I think they’d also say I’m inspirational because of my hearing and my cochlear implant. I inspire quite a lot of people because I’m really open about it.
How competitive are you? How do you feel about treading on toes? It’s a tough one because I’m a girls’ girl but it is a dating show and I’m here to find my man. I may have to step on toes but I’ll do it in the nicest way possible.
Name: Paige Thorne
Age: 24
From: Swansea
Occupation: Paramedic
Why Love Island and why now? In Swansea there is just no-one I can find, I’ve tried and there’s just nobody there anymore. I need to break out and broaden my horizons and Love Island just brings everyone together for me. I haven’t got to go out and I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!
What do you think you’re going to bring to the Villa? Just positive energy, lots of bubbly energy. I am a good cook and I’m quite mumsy so I’ll look after anyone that needs looking after. If I had to pick a signature dish, it would probably be a Sunday dinner. My roasties are up there, I think Gordon Ramsay would be impressed – I think he would be like ‘9/10 or 10/10’.
Why would you say you’re single at the moment? I came out of a relationship and I was just so done with guys so was like, “Right, that’s it. I’m going to focus on me.” Then I was like, “Ok, I’m bored now, I’m lonely and I miss love and the connection and everything else.” I’ve been on a few dates but I just haven’t clicked with anyone.
Name: Dami Hope
Age: 26
From: Dublin
Occupation: Senior Microbiologist
Why Love Island and why now? This year I was kind of being more open to new things and I think actually that’s why I put myself out there to get some new experiences. Love Island is a different experience, I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some, might go well with others, so it’s a fun experience.
What do you think you’re going to bring to the Villa? Just myself – Dami Hope! Being me – funny and my personality. I don’t know if I will cause trouble, I’ll try not to cause trouble but sometimes you don’t intentionally cause trouble – but it happens!
Why do you think you’re a catch? When I’m actually in a relationship, I think it’s a star sign thing, I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. If they had something they wanted to do or something they were passionate about, I’d make sure that even if it’s something I’m not talented at I’d get talented at it just so it helps them. I’m really good at being in a team and actually looking after each other.
Name: Indiyah Polack
Age: 23
From: London
Occupation: Hotel Waitress
Why Love Island and why now? I feel like I’m at a stage in my life now where I’m ready to meet new people and start dating properly. I have been single for some time and I feel like for my generation of people, it’s quite hard to date without being influenced by social media and stuff like that. Love Island particularly is like a closed space and I think it is a great place to get to know someone one-on-one and build a real connection.
What do you think you are going to bring to the Villa? I feel like I’m going to bring a lot of flavour and vibrancy. I feel like I’m quite a down to earth person, so it shouldn’t be an issue to meet a lover or a friend.
How would you sum up your dating history? Random. Everyone I’ve dated have all been quite different. I don’t think I have ever been out with two guys who are quite the same.
Name: Liam Llewellyn
Age: 22
From: Newport, South Wales
Occupation: Masters Student (Strength & Conditioning)
Why Love Island and why now? I think 22 is a really nice age to meet someone, you’ve got your years ahead of you so you have time to experience stuff and grow together. I think Love Island is a great opportunity to meet someone, you’re in with a load of different types, so you can get to grips with what you really like about people.
How would your friends and family describe you?If you ask my mum, probably a little s***. No, I’m a good kid, she knows that. They’d probably say quite generous, quite caring, happy, chatty, chirpy, bubbly. I wear my heart on my sleeve, I can’t hide how I feel about anyone. I’m probably quite emotional as well come to think about it.
If you’ve got one chance to impress someone what would you do?Pay them a compliment! The thing that girls quite like is that I’m not just like, “You’re mint.” I’m like, “Your eyes are piercing, I’m lost in your eyes.” Or I’ll say something like, “You’ve got nice feet” or something.
