Get ready for glam, grafting, and girls and guys “pulling each other for a chat” –Love Island is back for its 10th season, and ITV has started rolling out details on the first batch of islanders.
The new summer series will begin on Monday 5 June, with Maya Jama back on hosting duties after she made her debut on the winter edition earlier this year.
Jama proved a charismatic, and very popular, host for the winter show, which was filmed in South Africa and won by Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan.
It was recently revealed what training the Love Island contestants are being given ahead of the launch, in line with the ITV2 show’s duty of care procedures.
All contestants on the 2023 summer series will complete video training and guidance across a range of topics, including mutually respectful behaviour in relationships, behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour and language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and microaggressions.
Check out all the new contestants below – we’ll be updating this article as they are unveiled…
Ruchee Gurung
Age: 24
From: Sutton
Occupation: Beautician
Instagram: @rucheewawo
Ruchee says she is a “relationship kind of girl, but so far it’s not worked out for me”. She says she is super “caring”, adding: “My love language is gift giving, so I’m a real giver when it comes to relationships.”
The beautician has revealed that there are two major things that give her the “ick”: “Guys with no ambition” or “Guys with white jeans and red trainers”. They are, she says, a fashion no-no.
George Fensom
Age: 24
From: Bedford
Occupation: Business development executive
Instagram: @georgefensom
George says he’s going to bring “dad jokes and dad dancing to the Villa” and that he would love to meet a girl who can bring “even more banter” than him, though doubts whether that is “physically possible”.
He says he’s “the first person to bring the vibe up”, adding: “I’m always dancing, I’m always the one who wants to go out.”
Catherine Agbaje
Age: 22
From: Dublin
Occupation: Commercial real estate agent
Catherine says she can “chat your ears off” and is “always smiling, always happy, always laughing”.
She wants to emphasise that her teeth are real, and not veneers, and that she has two degrees – and undergrad in Psychology and Sociology and a masters in Real Estate.
Mehdi Edno
Age: 26
From: Bordeaux/London
Occupation: Communications manager
Instagram: @mehdiedno
On how he woos girls, Mehdi says: “I simply start by speaking French, that usually gets girls interested.”
He adds that, when he’s looking for a partner, “looks are important but they aren’t everything”, and he also values “a good sense of humour and someone who is outgoing and up for an adventure”.
Molly Marsh
Age: 21
From: Doncaster
Occupation: Musical theatre performer and social media creator
Instagram: @mollygracemarsh
Molly says she doesn’t go out much or use dating apps as she’s “actually quite old-fashioned”, so she’s decided she wants to meet someone in the Villa, instead.
She says she lives “on a farm with my mum, dad, sister, grandma, grandad, aunty, uncle, cousin, cousin’s husband, their baby and chicken”.
Tyrique Hyde
Age: 24
From: Essex
Occupation: Semi-professional footballer
Instagram: @tyriquehyde
Tyrique, like many, many Islanders before him, says he’s “not afraid to go after what I want”.
Speaking about interesting facts about himself, he says: “I’m deaf in my right ear. I’ve got a tattoo next to my left one that symbolises strength and power in my good one.” He also says he is best mates with former Love Island star Toby Aromolaran.
Ella Thomas
Age: 23
From: Glasgow
Occupation: Model
Instagram: @ellathomas_
Ella says she knows what she wants in life and that she’s got a “big heart”, insisting that she’s “wifey material”.
Speaking about her claim to fame, she adds: “I’ve been in a Headie One and Burna Boy music video and I was once an extra in World War Z. I was 12 years old when I filmed it and got to meet Brad Pitt which was cool.”
Mitchel Taylor
Age: 26
From: Sheffield
Occupation: Gas engineer
Instagram: @mitcheltaylor_
“I thrive on being a gentleman,” says Mitchel. “I’ll shower you with flowers, I’ll take you on dates, I’ll fill your bedside drawer with your favourite sweets and chocolate.”
But Mitchel is “really picky”, so he’ll only do this with a girl who doesn’t give him the “ick” for the following reasons: “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!”
Jess Harding
Age: 22
From: London
Occupation: Aesthetics Practitioner
Instagram: @jesshardingox
“When a guy stunts for money, that’s an ick. Showing off all their designer clothes because most of the time they’re probably fake anyway!” she said. “Another [ick] is when a boy runs for the train and the train goes without him. Lunch Boxes also – just go to Tesco and get a meal deal!
Jess added that she is “a really good girlfriend”, stating that she’s “got quite a big personality and I’ve got a heart of gold”.
André Furtado
Age: 21
From: Dudley
Occupation: Business owner
Instagram: @dre.furtado
André said: “I would say I fall too quickly to be honest. When I look at beautiful ladies, before I’ve said hello to them I’ve already fallen in love. I’m already planning the wedding.”
Asked what he brings to the villa, the business owner replied: “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.”
Love Island season 10 launches on ITV2 at 9pm on Monday 5 June.
