LOVE ISLAND 2023 LIVE: Maya Jama returns to host the ITV dating show as 10 stunning new contestants enter the Spanish villa
This is MailOnline’s live blog for the launch of the summer series of Love Island 2023:
Host commentator
Maya will be seen gathering the five Islanders in the garden as the first coupling of the series gets underway.
One by one, the remaining five Islanders enter the Villa and find out the result of the public vote.
Before Maya reveals the results it appears Ella and Tyrique already know each other…
Who will be paired with who as the couples await their fate?
Once all the Islanders are coupled up, Maya makes her exit from the Villa as she says: ‘I think it’s fair to say on Love Island you should 100% expect the unexpected!’
The first Love Island stars to be entering the villa include beautician Ruchee Gurung, 24, from Sutton, semi-pro footballer Tyrique Hyde, 24, from Essex (pictured below), and actress Molly Marsh, 24, from Yorkshire are joining the villa.
Following on from the trio are George Fensom, 24, a Business Development Executive from Bedford and ‘fun, flirty and chatty’ Catherine Agbaje, 22, a Commercial Real Estate Agent haling from Dublin.
Upping the hunk factor on the show is French model Mehdi Edno, 26, who producers are said to be will be the next Davide Sanclimenti, while Glaswegian model Ella Thomas 23, is also set to bring her award-winning looks to the villa.
The next contenders for love include gas engineer Michel Taylor, 26, from Sheffield, London-native Jess Harding, 22, who is an Aesthetics Practitioner and economics graduate and clothing brand entrepreneur Andre Furtado, 21, from Dudley.
The list of confirmed Islanders set to join the show, with the group all changing their social media bios to read: ‘I’m off to find love in the @loveisland villa!’
Like former contestant Tasha Amber Ghouri, Tyrique is deaf, with the sportsman lacking hearing in one ear – something he has honoured with a tattoo.
Diversity on the show has frequently been called in to question, so the inclusion of disababled contestants and people of colour was lauded when the announcements were made, with fans delighting in Asian representation from Ruchee.
Love Island series 10 kicks off tonight with a huge new twist to kick the series off as for the first time ever both boys and girls will enter the Villa.
Ruchee (pictured below) and Jess will be the first Islanders to arrive in style at the sprawling Spanish Villa.
As the two girls get to know each other they will greeted by a surprise arrival from the next Islander.
In a huge twist and for the first time ever both boys and girls will enter the Villa.
Ruchee Gurung and Jess Harding will be joined by Mitchel Taylor, Ella Thomas and André Furtado as they get to know each other in one of Love Island’s most flirtatious first episodes.
Welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of the launch of this summer’s Love Island.
We will be bringing you all the news, updates, gossip and reaction as it happens.
This year’s summer season kicks off on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm.
A total of 10 brand new Islanders are set to enter the villa in Mallorca where they will meet host Maya Jama and be coupled-up for the first time.
MEET THE ISLANDERS
Ruchee Gurung
NAME: Ruchee Gurung
AGE: 24
FROM: Sutton
OCCUPATION: Beautician
WHY ENTER THE VILLA? I’m single and looking for love, and it’s the perfect opportunity for me to find someone. I’m a relationship kind of girl, but so far it’s not worked out for me.
WHY DATE ME? 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
NAME: Tyrique Hyde
AGE: 24
FROM: Essex
OCCUPATION: Footballer
WHAT WILL YOU 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
CLAIM T0 FAME? Toby Aromolaran is one of my best friends, we grew up together and were in the same class at school
Molly Marsh
NAME: Molly Marsh
AGE: 24
FROM: Yorkshire
OCCUPATION: Actress
WHY LOVE ISLAND AND WHY NOW? I think it’s ideal timing and the perfect way to find someone.
I don’t go out and party and I don’t use dating apps, I’m actually quite old-fashioned, so there’s no better way to meet someone than by going into a Villa in the sun with the potential ‘one’ in there.
George Fensom
NAME: George Fensom
AGE: 24
FROM: Bedford
OCCUPATION: Business Development Executive
HOW WOULD YOUR FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? 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
NAME: Catherine Agbaje
AGE: 22
FROM: Dublin
OCCUPATION: Commercial Real Estate Agent
HOW WOULD FAMILY AND FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU? Someone who is fun and a loving character. They know I have so much love to give.
I’m always smiling, I’m always happy, I’m always laughing. You’ll always see me with a smile on my face.’
Mehdi Edno
NAME: Mehdi Edno
AGE: 26
FROM: Bordeaux/London
OCCUPATION: Communications Manager/Model
ARE YOU 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.
THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO HAVE IN A PARTNER? Looks are important but they aren’t everything, a good sense of humour and someone who is outgoing and up for an adventure is what I’m looking for.
NAME: Ella Thomas
Ella Thomas
AGE: 23
FROM: Glasgow
OCCUPATION: Model
WHAT’S YOUR CLAIM TO FAME? I’ve been in a Headie One and Burna 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.
WHY SHOULD SOMEBODY DATE YOU? I’m the whole package, I know what I want in life and I’ve got a big heart.
Mitchel Taylor
NAME: Mitchel Taylor
AGE: 26
FROM: Sheffield
OCCUPATION: Gas engineer
WHY SHOULD SOMEBODY DATE YOU? I thrive on being a gentleman. I’ll shower you with flowers, I’ll take you on dates, I’ll fill your bedside drawer with your favourite sweets and chocolate. I’ve been single, I’ve had my fun and now I want to settle down.
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I’m just really picky. I’ve got to find the girl that I want to marry and have kids with. I’m nearly 27, I don’t want to play the field anymore, I want to find the one.
Jess Harding
NAME: Jess Harding
AGE: 22
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Aesthetics Practitioner
WHY ARE YOU 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!
WHAT GIVES YOU THE ICK? 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! Another one 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!
Andre Furtado
NAME: Andre Furtado
AGE: 21
FROM: Dudley
OCCUPATION: Economics graduate and clothing brand entrepreneur
WHAT WILL YOU 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.
DO YOU FALL IN LOVE QUICKLY? 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.
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