Things are heating up in Mallorca as runaway reality TV hit Love Island is set to return to our screens in just a few short days. We’ll see the oiled-up beauties of the U.K coupling and decoupling like hormonal teens, all while the audience at home gets to decide whether or not they’re allowed remain in paradise (weather and surroundings-wise, at least). There’s an added twist this year, confirmed by host Maya Jama, who revealed that viewers will be in control of who gets coupled up in the Spanish villa when the islanders first arrive, which we’re sure will end up being completely and utterly drama-free — especially as the contestants will also be able to let everyone know who’d they’d like to couple up with, as has been in the past.
Yesterday, the official Love Island Twitter account posted some of the new faces that will dominate summer television chat in the U.K and beyond. If you missed the announcement, or just want to find out more about the hot singles heading to Spain to find love, here’s our list of every contestant revealed so far on Love Island 2023.
Ruchee Gurung
A beautician from Sutton, southern England, Ruchee is coming on the show to look for the one (it’s not called Fling Island, after all). The glamorous 24-year old says she’s a relationship girl, but nothing has stuck so far, and she’s hoping the energy of Mallorca will help her to finally find the right person. Given Love Island has one of the higher hit rates (but still pretty low) for successful reality television couples, this isn’t as absurd as it sounds. And, even if it doesn’t work out, a celeb might slip into her DMs once the show finishes, so there’s always hope.
Tyrique Hyde
A semi-pro soccer player from the eastern county of Essex (or, the archetypical Love Island contestant), Tyrique is a confident addition to the boys, and he’s “hoping to score big in the villa.” Also 24, he said that he’s happy to give his opinion on all manner of things, and keen to go after what he wants, which is a pretty good tactic in a show that requires you to talk to people and let them know about your feelings. Hyde has another connection to the show, other than being on this season: he grew up with former contestant Toby Aromolaran, who appeared on Love Island in 2021. Let’s see if his pal gave him any tips.
Molly Marsh
It feels like if you’re a blonde woman called Molly, it’s your destiny to appear on Love Island at some point. This year’s iteration is a 21-year old musical theatre performer and content creator from Doncaster, Yorkshire — home of one of the cheapest nights out in all of the U.K. Despite having the joys of three Jägerbombs for five quid on her doorstep, she says she’s not much of a partier and hates the apps, so this could be a great way to find someone. Molly lives on a farm with her extended family, which we’re sure is a much more wholesome environment than the villa. Hopefully she’ll have plenty of opportunities to wrangle the man of her dreams in Mallorca.
George Fensom
Old soul George is a business development executive from Bedford, about an hour north of London. A fan of dad jokes and clearly a man who doesn’t take himself too seriously, he’s looking for great banter, someone who’s passionate (about work or a hobby), and a girl who’s “naturally good looking,” which we guess means women who use lighter make-up than others, given he’s 24 and about to appear on Love Island. He says those three things make for a “perfect mix” in a partner, and as fans of people who are fun, interested in things, and hot, we can’t agree more. Let’s see if George can dad-dance his way into happiness.
Catherine Agbaje
A real estate agent from Dublin (possibly one of the easiest jobs in the world) this 22-year old has that famous Irish gift of the gab, saying that she can talk anybody’s ear off. And, while she might appear to just be a pretty face with a lot to say, she has two degrees to go along with her dazzling smile, which she says is all natural. We’re not entirely sure how her Psychology and Sociology qualification will help her in the villa, but with any luck she’ll find the perfect deal in Mallorca.
Mehdi Edno
We’re sure plenty of people have asked Bordeaux-born heartthrob Mehdi “voulez vous coucher avec moi” since he’s been living in London, but the communications manager is still looking for the right woman. He makes no bones about his accent and the fact he’s fluent in the language of love helps him in the relationship department, and we’re sure there’ll be some “accidental” phrases d’amour dropped during his stint in Spain. Mehdi says he wants humor and adventure, and we’re sure the 26-year old will find it on Love Island.
Ella Thomas
A Scottish model who’s looking for love, Ella is confident in herself and what she’s looking for. The 23-year old Glaswegian might be professionally hot, but that hasn’t helped her find the right partner just yet, even though she’s had a couple of brushes with greatness, having been in some music videos and an extra in the film World War Z (albeit when she was a child). Will her time in Mallorca help her to find love? Or at least get some more music video gigs? Only time will tell.
Mitchel Taylor
Given there’s a cost of living crisis on, 26-year old gas engineer Mitchel is probably already in high demand in the romance game, and it doesn’t exactly hinder him that he’s piping hot too. The contestant from Sheffield, Yorkshire (home to a once thriving metal industry, two historic soccer clubs, and the Arctic Monkeys) is quite picky, hence his single status, but is looking for the real deal. Allegedly bored of playing the field, we’re sure he’ll have fun in a reality television show that is literally about chopping and changing partners.
Jess Harding
This 22-year old Londoner works as an aesthetics practitioner, which means she helps people to achieve their beauty aims using medical techniques like chemical peels and micro needling. A woman with a big personality and bigger heart, she claims that everyone she’s met recently has given her “the ick,” and that it’s fate she’s ended up in the villa instead of finding a man on the outside. Hopefully her fellow contestants are to her taste, but even if they’re not, she knows how to make them look good using science, so that’s got to help.
André Furtado
A romantic business owner from Dudley (think Peaky Blinders accent-wise), André, 21, is an international man, able to speak four languages (which, given the state of language education in the U.K., is nothing short of a miracle). A guy who falls in love easily, we could see this confident young entrepreneur have his heart broken and mended a few times over the course of summer, which, while devastating for him, will get the ratings in. Who said reality television is in poor taste?
When does the new season of Love Island begin?
The first episode of Love Island will air on Monday June 5, at 9pm BST on ITV (4pm EST). If you’re in the States, you can check out our article on how to watch the show to make sure you get your fix.