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Five things you need to know about Love Island


We love a cheeky little hashtag (#LoveIsland being our fave, obvs), but if you had to create your own, what would it be?

Here's how our Islanders would sum themselves up on the socials.


Image copyright ITV Image caption The first islanders have been named - they include an air hostess, an A&E doctor and Danny Dyer's daughter

Fling on the fake tan and get to know a new gaggle of singletons - Love Island is back.

On Monday, 11 beautiful people are being dropped off at a villa on the Spanish island of Majorca as they attempt to find love.

And there'll be cameras in every corner to capture all the highs and the lows for ITV2 viewers.

Here's everything you need to know before you watch the show... and give up your social life for the next two months.

1. The purpose of the show is to find love... but it isn't always that simple

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Love Island winner Amber Davies gives her 'dos and don'ts' for the 2018 contestants

The Bafta-winning show's basic premise is for contestants to find themselves a partner who is their perfect match - or "100% my type on paper" in the words of last year's winner Amber Davies.

Couples pair up and share double beds, get to go on dates outside the villa and also compete together in challenges to win prizes.

The prizes include a night in the hideaway, which is basically a secluded area away from everyone else and is totally private (apart from all those cameras of course).

Sounds simple enough, but what if you don't like your partner, or even worse - fancy someone else's more?

That's where the fun starts - throughout the series a number of eliminations will take place, as couples shift around and the odd ones out get sent packing.

2. These aren't the only contestants you'll see on the show

Image copyright ITV Image caption West End star Samira Mighty, construction worker Niall Aslam and A&E doctor Alex George

The clue's in the fact that only 11 contestants have been announced, meaning someone will be left broken-hearted at the first "coupling up" - when islanders choose who they want to be with.

This year they're a varied group, with the singletons including West End performer Samira, construction worker Niall and A&E doctor George.

The 2017 show saw Blazin' Squad member Marcel Somerville enter the villa, and again this year there are a few contestants on the show who are already used to the limelight.

Eyal Booker, who once was in boy band EverYoung, is looking for love, as is the daughter of EastEnders actor Danny Dyer... who's called Dani Dyer.

There are many more attractive people waiting patiently for their taxi to the airport though, and whilst ITV2 are keeping tight-lipped on who they may be, it's sure they'll cause a stir when they eventually walk through the doors of the villa.

3. There may be mobile phones... but old school dating is firmly on the agenda

Image copyright PA Image caption Caroline Flack celebrating after Love Island won a TV Bafta award

All the contestants are given phones, which they can use to message each other, take photos and receive instructions from producers about upcoming challenges.

This is the only access they have to technology though - and when it comes to dating on the show, there isn't a swipe in sight.

Caroline Flack told the BBC that this is all part of why the show has so much appeal.

"Even though it's a modern dating show, it's actually an old-fashioned way of getting to know someone," she said. "We have no mobile phones, there's no internet, no Tinder, they're actually going back to the old art of conversation to fall in love.

"There's no liking, no poking, no stalking, you actually have to talk. It's a sped-up real life relationship."

4. Filming will still take place around the clock... but the Islanders will have new rules to follow

Image copyright ITV Image caption ITV has revealed an all-new outdoor area, where smoking is banned

One aspect of the show last year was so controversial that it was tweeted about thousands of times, attracted a number of Ofcom complaints and was even debated by the House of Lords.

And no we're not talking about footage from the bedroom.

It's smoking inside the villa, which has now been banned by the producers, after nearly every Islander was seen having a cigarette at some point during the two months the last series was on air.

Head of ITV2 Paul Mortimer said: "This year, we've got in place a plan for the smoking area to be outside the villa rather than outside the garden."

Of course there still will be a camera there, just in case...

5. This year there will be even more Love Island content - as the show gets a spin-off

Image copyright ITV Image caption Arielle Free (right) and last year's co-winner Kem Cetinay will host a new Love Island podcast

Last year, people were left struggling with the dilemma of what to do outside of the hours of 9-10pm, knowing that there was no new Love Island content for them to enjoy.

Fear not, because Caroline Flack's extra show, Aftersun, returns alongside a shiny new podcast hosted by one half of last year's winning couple, Kem Cetinay.

It will be called Love Island: The Morning After and Kem will be joined by radio host and Love Island super fan Arielle Free for six episodes a week.

They will call on special guests to help them unpack the events from the night before, along with providing exclusive content.

Love Island starts at 21:00 on 4 June

Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.


Everyone’s favourite reality TV series Love Island has almost returned, the new series starting tonight (4 June) at 9pm on ITV2.

Of course, we already have the lowdown on the eleven contestants looking to find love this year, including Danny Dyer’s daughter Dani, an A&E worker, and a West End performer.

So, what do you need to know before the series finally begins? Look no further, as we bring you all the latest before the show begins.

Catch up on all the latest Love Island goings on with our liveblog below.

Live Updates

Another look inside the "glam" villa. Anyone else find it weird to have the words "sorry" and "drip" on the wall? (Copyright: ITV) A look at this year's villa - nice blue skies unlike over here in muggy England (Copyright: ITV) In other Love Island news, last year's contestants Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies have both reportedly made upwards of £1 million since debuting on the show.... Jack Fincham, the stationary sales manager, at the villa (Copyright: ITV/REX) The lads are here too - here's Adam Collard, looking ready to conquer hearts (Copyright: ITV/REX) Hayley Hughes, a 21-year-old model who has vowed not to have sex on the island, arrives (Copyright: ITV/REX) Dani Dyer, the daughter of Eastenders' Danny Dyer, arriving (Copyright: ITV/REX) Here they are - the ladies of Love Island have arrived at the villa, ITV releasing the photos to prove as much (Copyright: ITV/REX) Hello, and welcome to The Independent's Love Island liveblog, featuring all the latest on this year's series. Below, you can catch-up on everything you need to know before the first episode begins tomorrow on ITV2 at 9pm.

Need a reminder of who’s heading to the luxury villa in Majorca, Spain? Then flick through the gallery below, which holds snippets of information on each of the eleven tanned, toned, and tattooed contestants.

Love Island 2018 contestants announced 11 show all Love Island 2018 contestants announced 1/11 Dani Dyer, 21 Recognise the name? Yes, she's the daughter of Eastenders actor Danny Dyer. From East London, the barmaid says: "I am a girly girl. Having a friendship with a girl in the villa is just as important as finding romance." ITV 2/11 Adam Collard, 22 Coming from Newcastle, the personal trainer and gym director says: “I would say I’m a ten out of ten. Maybe a nine out of ten... I’m not good at washing the dishes.” ITV 3/11 Samira Mighty, 22 A West End performer from London, Samira says: "I’m looking for an experience that I’ve never had before, loads of fun, the opportunity to meet a really nice guy, or even a best friend, and the chance to find myself." ITV 4/11 Hayley Hughes, 21 A model from Liverpool, Harley says: “My nickname from my friends is diva, maybe because I always go after what I want and I always get it." ITV 5/11 Wes Nelson, 20 From Staffordshire, the Nuclear Systems Design Engineer says: “I’m looking for a partner, I’m looking for someone I can settle down with and tame my wild lifestyle.” ITV 6/11 Kendall Rae-Knight, 26 The retail manager and part-time model from Blackpool says: “I don’t do my nails, or have hair or lash extensions. Everything on me is real; I am who I am.” ITV 7/11 Dr. Alex George, 27 An A&E Doctor who has already angered the Daily Mail by taking time off his job to appear on the ITV show, Alex comes from Carmarthen, West Wales. He says: "I don’t like high maintenance girls. I think it’s brilliant to look good but spending three hours to get ready to go and walk on the beach is too much for me." ITV 8/11 Eyal Booker, 22 Another model, this one from London. "I have a fun energy and I am a spiritual person," he says. "I’d like to think I have a depth to me so I guess that stands out and I look at things quite deeply." ITV 9/11 Laura Anderson, 29 The oldest person to join this year's competition, Laura is a air hostess from Stirling, Scotland. “The emoji that best describes me is probably the blonde girl," she says, "because I’m just a weirdo cause I’m always just like, 'Hey, soz about me.'" ITV 10/11 Niall Aslam, 23 A student and construction worker who has a Hermione Granger's wand tattoo on his arm. Niall says: “My ex would probably say that I’m immature and a bit of an attention seeker - and she wouldn’t be wrong.” ITV 11/11 Jack Fincham, 26 Last but not least, we have a Stationary Sales Manager from Kent. “I consider myself really good looking and so far in my life I’ve had no complaints," he says. "I get lots of compliments.” ITV

This year’s Love Island will be the longest season of the show so far, this year’s 150,000 applicants being told they would need to be available for a minimum of ten weeks for the series.

Caroline Flack – who will once again be hosting – previously said this series will be the “longest yet”. Ian Sterling will also be returning as the voice of Love Island.

Some other tidbits of information: while unconfirmed, the contestants (many of whom leave their jobs or take extensive leave to be on the show) get paid a rumoured £200 a week for participating.

ITV2’s popular spin-off show Aftersun also returns this year, while the channel has also launched a podcast series named The Morning After.

Check back here for all the latest on Love Island.


The hit ITV2 show has CONFIRMED the islanders heading into the villa for this year's series

An A&E doctor, a boyband member and Danny Dyer’s daughter have been revealed as the stars of Love Island 2018.

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Yep, the full list of 11 islanders – five girls and six boys – has now been CONFIRMED. Below is the complete line-up of contestants for series 4:

UPDATE: Love Island 2018 air date confirmed

The show’s producers have already teased that we will be seeing some “genuinely surprising” cast members for this series, and maybe even another noughties music star! There have even been hints that a 2017 contestant might join the ranks later in the run.

So who is going to be getting muggy and melty in the villa?

Alex, 27, says: “I think some people would think I’m crazy coming on Love Island, it’s completely different to working as an A&E doctor. But at the end of the day, it’s a great opportunity and I think ‘why not, let’s just go for it!'”

Dani, 21 – who’s dad is EastEnders star Danny Dyer – says: “I’m looking for someone really genuine. In past relationships I have had so many mind games going on and I want someone who bigs me up as much as I big them up. I like paying compliments and I would like the same in return.”

Eyal, 22, says: “I was in a pop band once called EverYoung. We had small time success and toured the country, built up a little fan base and there was fan girl hysteria. They’d follow us around and come to our gigs and stuff so that was a little taste.”

Samira, 22, says: “I was in Mamma Mia and Dreamgirls [in London’s West End]. Everyone in the West End knows everybody. So it will be a big shock when they see me on this show.”

Niall, 23, says: “I was with my ex-girlfriend for just over three years from the age of 17 to 20. She would probably say that I’m immature and a bit of an attention seeker – and she wouldn’t be wrong. I do feel sorry for my ex because this is her favourite programme.”

Niall has also revealed all about his Harry Potter tattoo…and why he wants to date Amanda Holden!

Hayley, 21, says: “Imagine if no one stepped forward for me. I would die. I would be booking the next taxi. That’s all I think about. Other than that I’m really excited about the experience.”

Wes, 20, says: “My claim to fame would be my Instagram. A few of my videos went viral when I was kickboxing and I’ve got a large Instagram following. I’ve dated people who are Instagram famous but no actual celebrities.”

Kendall, 26, says: “I’m looking for something long term. I have seen previous series when people have got together and stayed together and I do genuinely want to find someone.”

Adam, 22, says: “I am super competitive and I hate losing. Even if I take a girl on a date to play Crazy Golf for example, I’m in the zone.”

Laura, 29, says: “I’ve had loads of boyfriends – nine. Two of my ex boyfriends were in the public eye. I’m a relationship person I guess.”

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Jack, 26, says: “I’m just a bit worried about looking like an idiot on the telly, really. I don’t want to embarrass myself. And I hope I find someone who I genuinely like.”

WE'RE BACK! It's time to meet the scorching singles ready to get their graft on this summer… #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/gKGxNbEJuB — Love Island (@LoveIsland) May 28, 2018

See page two for rumoured contestants…

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