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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Jess Molyneux

Love Island stars with famous family members as ITV2 show returns

The highly anticipated summer series of Love Island is back tonight, June 5, on ITV2 and is set to be a big one.

Maya Jama will be back to host the drama-filled show which was last won by Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan in the winter edition of the series earlier this year. We recently got to meet the new batch of islanders who are all ready and set to find love in the villa, including 24-year-old semi-professional footballer Tyrique Hyde from Essex.

Hyde has a well-known father, Micah, who graced the Premier League around the turn of the century after winning promotion with Graham Taylor’s Watford in 1999, later having spells at Burnley and Peterborough. But Hyde isn't the first hopeful with famous family connections, the Liverpool ECHO previously reported.

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Through the years, Love Island has welcomed a host of contestants with famous parents and siblings. In the past, we've seen the likes of EastEnders star Danny Dyer's daughter, Dani, win her series, Tyson Fury's brother Tommy come runner-up and more

Here, we take a brief look back at a number of them past and present and their celebrity connections. This list isn't intended to be comprehensive, but if there's a former contestant with a famous family connection you think we should have included, let us know in the comments section.

Scott Thomas

Brothers Ryan, Adam and Scott Thomas working out at Ultimate performance Gym Manchester (Photo by Andy Lambert)

Scott Thomas appeared on the second series of Love Island in 2017 and was coupled up with Kady McDermott. But many will know Scott has two famous brothers - Ryan Thomas who appeared on Coronation Street as Jason Grimshaw and Adam Thomas who is best know for his roles in Emmerdale and Waterloo Road.

The three brothers have recently joined forces and delivered a documentary for ITV, titled Mancs in Mumbai. They have also launched their own weekly podcast, titled Mancs on the Mic, which sees them discuss a range of subjects including self image, fashion and more.

Claudia Fogarty

Claudia Fogarty recently came to our screens when she entered the Winter Love Island villa as a bombshell this year. Claudia, runs fashion brand Sister Stories with her older sister Danielle Fogarty, but their dad is also a famous face.

Claudia is the daughter of former motorcycle racer Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty MBE, who is regarded as one of the most successful World Superbike racers of all time, with 59 victories and four World Superbike Championships. Carl also won the 14th series of I'm A Celeb in 2014.

Antigoni Buxton

Antigoni Buxton and Tonia Buxton during the Paul Strank Charity Gala at the Bank of England Sports Centre on September 21, 2019 (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Originally from Cyprus, Antigoni Buxton enjoyed villa life for a week in the 2022 summer series before being dumped from the island with Charlie Radnedge. Ahead of her first appearance on the show, the singer-songwriter from London said: "I've been single for almost a year-and-a-half and for the whole of the last year my goal has been to have as many different experiences as possible.

The daughter of Tonia Buxton, a celebrity chef and regular on shows like GB News, This Morning, and Sunday Brunch, Antigoni boasts over 250K followers on Instagram. It's also reported she dated 2018 Love Island contestant Jack Fowler.

Dani Dyer

Danny Dyer and Dani Dyer during the Paul Strank Charity Gala at the Bank of England Sports Centre on September 21, 2019 (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

One of the most well-known and memorable contestants in Love Island history, Dani Dyer won the show in 2018 alongside former flame Jack Finch. With an obvious celebrity connection, during her time on the show Dani told her fellow islanders what she was the daughter of actor Danny Dyer, known for roles in EastEnders and The Business.

The same year as her Love Island debut, Dani appeared on 2018's Survival of the Fittest. Since her time on Love Island, Dani has remained in the public eye and also launched a podcast with her dad.

Join our Liverpool memories and history Facebook group here.

Tommy Fury

Brothers Tyson Fury and Tommy Fury (Tommy Fury/Instagram)

Tommy Fury found love with Molly-Mae-Hague back in the 2019 series of Love Island. But the boxer was no stranger to the spotlight before his time on the show having a very famous sibling, heavyweight champion Tyson.

The Manchester-born reality TV star is still going strong with Molly and the couple have a huge social media following. Like his brother, Tommy is also a successful professional boxer.

For more nostalgia stories, sign up to our Liverpool Echo newsletter here.

Gemma Owen

Former footballer Michael Owen and his daughter Gemma Owen (Instagram/Michael Owen)

Before she was turning heads on the Spanish isle of Majorca in 2022, Gemma Owen was known for competing in international dressage and launching her own beachwear range - OG Beachwear. Daughter of former footballer Michael Owen, Gemma was coupled up with Luca Bish.

The Love Island star's family at the time signed her up to the specialist PR agency which looks after former finalist Maura Higgins to boost her image. After just three days in the villa, Off Limits Entertainment were on board to look after Gemma’s image once she departed the show.

Curtis Pritchard

AJ Pritchard and Curtis Pritchard attend a VIP performance of Magic Mike Live London at the Hippodrome Casino on August 6, 2019 (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Curtis Pritchard starred in Ireland’s Dancing with the Stars prior to his time on Love Island. His bother, AJ, had already found fame as a professional on Strictly Come Dancing before Curtis made his name in the villa.

Together, the brothers have choreographed BBC Three reality series RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and starred in Channel 4's Hollyoaks. Curtis is also known for being the receptionist in BBC's The Greatest Dancer.

Jack Keating

Ronan Keating and son Jack prepare to fire a tshirt cannon during the round 16 Super Rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs at Westpac Stadium on June 9, 2017 (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Arriving at Casa Amor in 2022, Jack Keating is the son of popstar and Boyzone legend Ronan Keating. Ronan originally topped the charts between 1993 and 1999 as one of five members to make up the iconic boyband and later went on to launch a solo career.

But before he headed to Majorca, Jack was a baby-faced kid seen at film premieres and events supporting his dad alongside his siblings Jack, from Dublin, said: "Yeah my dad is a singer, Ronan Keating. He will be watching when I’m on it for sure. He’s buzzing for me, me and my dad are very close, we’re best mates."

Who is your favourite Love Island contestant of all time? Let us know in the comments section below.

Sophie Piper

Sophie Piper and sister Rochelle Humes (Rochelle Humes /Instagram)

The medical PA turned reality TV star Sophie Piper appeared on the 2020 Winter series of Love Island. Hailing from Essex, Sophie is the half-sister of former Saturdays singer and television presenter Rochelle Hulmes.

Sister-in-law to JLS singer and presenter Marvin Humes, Sophie was coupled up with two boys inside the villa, but was dumped from the island in week four. Sophie boasts over 700K followers on Instagram.

Belle Hassan

Tamer Hassan and Belle Hassan seen attending Lipstick and Champagne - party at STK on August 29, 2019 (Photo by Ricky Vigil M/GC Images)

Belle Hassan first entered the villa on day 30 of the 2019 series of Love Island and also comes from a celebrity background. She is the daughter of actor Tamer Hassan, known for starring in The Football Factory, The Business, Game of Thrones and NCIS.

During her time on the show, Belle coupled up with Anton Danyluk. A make-up artist by trade, Belle has 990K followers on Instagram alone.

Luke Trotman

Luke Trotman and his mum Beverly (Luke Trotman/Instagram)

Also appearing as part of Love Island's 2020 Winter cohort, Luke Trotman, a semi-professional footballer from Luton, came runner-up during his series with Siannise Fudge. But he isn't the only reality star in his family.

Hi mum, Beverly, finished in sixth place on The X Factor in 2007. Leon Jackson was crowned season four's winner.

Liam Llewellyn

Liam Llewellyn and his dad David (Facebook)

Last year, Liam Llewellyn entered the villa hoping to find love. But he made the decision early on to cut his time short in the villa.

Liam is the son of David Llewellyn, a member of the Welsh 1999 Rugby World Cup team. During his time on the show, the Strength & Conditioning graduate was initially coupled up with Gemma Owen.

Mike Boateng

Mike Boateng attends the "Boxing Day" World Premiere at The Curzon Mayfair on November 30, 2021 (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Warner Bros)

Former police officer Mike Boateng appeared on series six of the hit ITV dating show. Alongside Priscilla Anyabu, the couple placed fifth in the series.

But before he was an islander, Mike's brother, Samuel, appeared on BBC’s The Apprentice. On Instagram alone, Mike has has 385K followers.

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