“I’ve got a text!” Love Island is back on our screens
Starts Monday 28 June at 9 pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub
Love Island returns to ITV2 and ITV Hub for its seventh sizzling series, as a brand new host of singletons seek to find their perfect match.
Laura Whitmore is at the helm as the Islanders do their best to flirt, date, couple up, and try to avoid being ‘dumped’ from the villa.
With new arrivals, heads may turn, while others will prove their true feelings, all narrated by the inimitable voice of Love Island, Iain Stirling.
From romance and heart-to-hearts to betrayal and broken hearts, there’s never a dull moment in this ultimate search for love.
More texts, fire pit gatherings and challenges await the lovestruck Islanders, meaning there’ll be plenty for them to dish the dirt on in the Beach Hut.
Love Island was the most-watched show on any digital channel in 2020, and as it returns, there’ll be lots of twists and turns along the way, with shock recouplings, unexpected splits and dramatic exits.
As the pairs attempt to win the hearts of each other – and the nation – one couple will ultimately triumph and be crowned Love Island winners 2021.
Plus, returning to ITV2 is Love Island: Aftersun, with Laura Whitmore hosting live from London, catching up with Islanders as they leave the villa, getting the inside scoop from family, friends and celebrity fans, plus sharing unseen footage.
So without further ado, let’s meet the cast!
Love Island is made by Lifted Entertainment, ITV Studios and Motion Content Group.
Broadcasts nightly on ITV2 and ITV Hub.
Sharon Effka
25 from Oxford civil servant – operations lead for Department of transport
What made you want to participate in the new Love Island series?
It’s been a bit of a running joke between my friendship group for a while that I should apply, probably because I’m the most outrageous one out of the group. But also, because of COVID and the lockdown, I’m the only single one in my friendship group. They’re either married or planning on getting married. I don’t want to be the only one in the group chat that is single anymore!
How would your friends and family describe you?
My friends usually come to me for advice and chat-up lines. Probably quite outgoing, a bit
savage and outrageous! What do you look for in a romantic partner? If something doesn’t work out with one person, I’ll try and go for the other extreme to see if that works out. I tend to date someone who is taller than me, even though my last long-term partner was actually someone who was shorter than me. I’m quite an intellectual person, so I want someone who can kind of match that.
What do you look for in a romantic partner?
If something doesn’t work out with one person, I’ll try and go for the other extreme to see if that works out. I tend to date someone who is taller than me, even though my last long-term partner was actually someone who was shorter than me. I’m quite an intellectual person, so I want
someone who can kind of match that.
Shannon Singh
22 from fife model
What made you want to take part in the new series of Love Island?
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Why would you not if you’re lucky enough to participate in the show? And hopefully, meet an exciting hunk.
What are you looking for in a romantic partner?
I don’t feed off looks, I feed off energy. I need someone with a personality. Just someone I can have fun with. I’m a party girl, I love going out, and I’m very social. For me, it’s quite hard to find genuine people who are looking for what you’re looking for. I’m not just going to go with anyone because they’re convenient. I need to make sure they’re for me. Looks – obviously, they’ve got to be handsome, but if he’s a handsome hunk but it’s like talking to a brick wall, and I’d rather watch paint dry, it’s not going to be great.
How do you tend to meet dates?
Out and about. I don’t tend to meet up with people through Instagram and things like that. I like more natural settings. I’ve got a whole chunk of my teens and growing up that I’ve been ‘locked in’ relationships. So when I broke up with my ex, I wanted to have a year for me.
I’ve ‘seen’ guys, but I wanted a year to myself to make sure I know what I want going forward.
Aaron Francis
24 from London luxury events host
What made you want to participate in the new Love Island series?
I’ve been single for about six or seven months, and the dating world at the moment is a little
bit off. Everyone’s wearing masks. You can’t really see anyone, which makes dating a lot harder. I do prefer relationships to dating.
How would your friends and family describe you?
Confident, quietly confident. Recently my mum said, ‘You are one of the most confident people I know’.
What are you looking for in a romantic partner?
I need someone that is passionate about what they are doing – from scientists to anything – you can tell when someone is speaking about something and they are actually smiling while they are talking. I love that. I don’t like when people are doing a job to make money, and then they kind of live for the weekend especially because I work on the weekends. And usually, someone that works out. I work out every day
Hugo Hammond
24 from Hampshire p.e teacher
What made you want to participate in the new Love Island series?
I’ve been single for a while now. With the current climate, getting back into dating has been hard. I saw it as an opportunity to have an amazing fun summer and put myself back out there.
How would your friends and family describe you?
Tall, dark and handsome. That was a cliché answer! The real answer is funny. Around my friends and family, I’m always the one to get things going and to have a laugh—charming, a self-proclaimed charmer. I’ve got the gift of the gab, which has put me in good stead when I’ve been single in the past. And I’m a gentleman; my mother raised me well. I’m very respectful.
What do you look for in a romantic partner?
I want someone I can be myself around. I want them not to take themselves or me too seriously. I like having a laugh and a joke. Definitely, someone who can be my best friend first and then hopefully, that can turn into a romance. I’m into my sport and fitness, so someone who shares similar hobbies and passions. Looks-wise, tall and athletic. Hair – I love that balayage look. Girls are very impressed when I say that!
Liberty Poole
21 from Birmingham waitress & marketing student
What made you want to take part in the new series of Love Island?
I’ve never had that nice, happy relationship, so I think it will be nice and something for me to experience. Obviously, I want the best summer ever because we have been in lockdown for a year, so it would be nice to go away and enjoy the sun and make friends as well. I’m excited and a bit of a social butterfly, so I love meeting new people. I’m a girl’s girl as well, so I can’t wait for the girly friendships. It’s going to be fun!
What made you want to participate in the new Love Island series?
Oh, definitely cringe. I say a lot of cringe stuff. I like to fill silent gaps.
What are you looking for in a romantic partner?
So I like tall, alpha male, confident, cheeky chappy sort of guy. But obviously, that’s always usually combined with player types, which is where I go wrong. So I am trying to change my ways and go for more of a nicer guy that is going to treat me right.
Josh Cornish
24 from weston-super-mare water engineer
What made you want to participate in the new Love Island series?
I was in a relationship for seven years, and then when lockdown hit, I was single. The opportunity is there; you might as well take it by the horns and go for it.
How would your family and friends describe you?
My family would say I’m the one who is always up for a laugh, always having fun. I don’t take anything seriously. The prankster! My nickname is Tigger from Winnie the Pooh because I’m always bouncing all over the place. I’ve always got so much energy.
What do you look for in a romantic partner?
Looks-wise, always go for blondes. But for me, the main thing is having respect, good fun, and someone who will be loyal to you. I’ve had messages from girls that have got boyfriends and husbands. This is why I don’t trust anyone. Someone who is loyal, really. But when I’m single, I like having a good time!
Kaz Kamwi
26 from essex fashion blogger
What made you want to take part in the new series of Love Island?
I like meeting new people, I’m ready to be in a relationship. Why not be in a place where people are looking for the same things as me?
How would your friends and family describe you?
I’m fun, dramatic, spontaneous. Friendly as well. Light-hearted. Life is a party – I’m not the mum in the group, my friends are not looking at me to look after them!
What are you looking for in a partner?
Looks-wise, really well-groomed. Someone who is driven, enjoys what they’re doing, has a
passion. Someone who is not overly charming, but has enough confidence.
Brad Mcclelland
26 from Northumberland labourer
What made you want to participate in the new Love Island series?
I want to date face-to-face, I like meeting people. I’m easygoing, and laid back. Who wouldn’t want to be in a nice villa in a hot country for a while?
How would your friends and family describe you?
I’m the person that’ll take the p*** out of them, but I’m the first one that they’ll go to if they’ve got any problems. I try to have a laugh and try not to take anything too seriously. They’d probably say I’m too honest.
What do you look for in a romantic partner?
Someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously. I could not be with someone that’s constantly on your case. I’d say I like dark hair, dark skin, dark eyes. But then my ex-girlfriend who I was with for over 8 years, was fair-skinned, blue eyes, and blonde hair.
Chloe Burrows
25 from Bicester financial services marketing executive
What made you want to participate in the new Love Island series?
I’ve been in awful ‘situationships’ and stuff, so I thought, why not?!
How would your friends and family describe you?
Funny. I’m always the funny one in a situation. I always try and make everyone laugh.
Outgoing, I’m quite bubbly and always doing something.
What are you looking for in a romantic partner?
I want someone who is funny. Really funny and caring and will do nice little things for you. And
then obviously someone who you can depend on not to ditch you. Because I am quite a big
character and quite loud, they would have to be as loud, if not more. I could never be with
someone who is quiet. Someone that gives you a bit back.
Toby Aromolaran
22 from Essex semi-pro footballer
What made you want to participate in the new Love Island series?
I’ve never been in a relationship. I thought, ‘If Love Island can’t find me a relationship, then no one can’.
How would your friends and family describe you?
Optimistic. I always see the bright side in the worst situations. I’m a fun guy when I go on a night out. Responsible guy as well.
What do you look for in a romantic partner?
Looks-wise, I’m a sucker for a cute face. Nice feet. That’s a dealbreaker for me. I don’t have a foot fetish but I appreciate nice feet! I think you can judge someone by their feet. Girls who walk around at the club with no shoes on, that’s one of my hates.
Faye Winter
26 from devon lettings manager
What made you want to take part in the new series of Love Island?
In the last year, we haven’t been able to experience anything. I’m open to anything. The opportunity came up, so why wouldn’t I? I’d love to meet somebody. What better way to meet somebody than in the sun – amazing.
How would your friends and family describe you?
Loud. I think they’d say I’m authentic. I’m an individual person. A bit of a foghorn – opinionated. My friends have been my friends for years and years, so I must be alright because they’ve stuck around for a long time. I say it how it is. Even with my closest friends, I tell them if they do something wrong.
What do you look for in a romantic partner?
Looks-wise, they have to be like 6ft. But then the last relationship that I was in for five years, he was like 5ft 7”…
How does it feel to be back hosting the new series of Love Island?
“I am so excited to be back hosting. It’s been a year where I think we all need a bit more love and fun in our lives, and I think everyone is ready for Love Island to be back – myself included. I’m really excited about seeing the Villa. I’ve never seen the Villa in Mallorca, so I’ll probably be there a little bit fangirling at the Villa. It’s almost like a person to me. So I need to remember that I’m there doing a job, not just a fangirl. I haven’t met any of the Islanders yet, but I’ve heard from the people behind the scenes that they are an incredible cast – it’s really exciting.”
