Love Island is back! The new winter series is just days away, which means it's time to find out which lucky contestants will be joining Maya Jama in South Africa this year.
ITV has released the confirmed line-up and it's safe to say this series is going to be one to remember! The first episode will air on Monday 16 January at 9pm on ITV2. We cannot wait. Let's meet the cast ahead of the series premiere...
WATCH: The cast of Love Island series nine introduce themselves
Tanya Manhenga
22-year-old Tanya was the first contestant to be announced in this year's line-up. The student, who hails from Liverpool, is looking for a boyfriend and thinks that "being in a Villa with lots of different people will help me work out who it is I may want".
Opening up about her skin condition, Vitiligo, she said: "I have Vitiligo, which is a skin pigmentation, you may not even notice it. It's on my lip and I have a stripe on my hair. Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute. I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe."
MORE: Maya Jama dazzles in Dolce and Gabbana ahead of her Love Island debut
MORE: All there is to know about winter Love Island 2023
© Photo: ITVTanya is a 22-year-old student from Liverpool
Kai Fagan
Kai is a science and PE teacher who is "looking for the right girl". The Manchester-born contestant says he is "single by choice" and admits his "high expectations" of women may have something to do with it.
"I don't feel I should commit to someone unless I'm absolutely buzzing over them, because it's not fair on them," he says.
The 24-year-old plays semi-professional rugby for Burnage RFC and used to play rugby 7s for Jamaica, where he is a citizen.
© Photo: ITVKai is a science and PE teacher
Lana Jenkins
25-year-old Lana is a makeup artist, who has worked with lots of celebrities.
Speaking about her romantic past, she said: "I fall in love quickly. I tend to know quite soon if I could fall in love with that person and then, as long as everything is going well, I’ll probably tell them I love them in about a week."
This won't be Lana's first TV stint as she appeared as an extra in the ITV comedy Benidorm when she was just six years old and living in Spain at the time.
© Photo: ITVLana is a makeup artist
Ron Hall
Ron is a 25-year-old financial advisor from Essex who hopes to bring "fun and charisma" to the villa. "I just want to be naturally myself in there, have good times and make memories," he says.
Ron is blind in one eye due to a football injury when he was eight. "I went in for a header and got kicked in the face," he explains. "I've got two different coloured eyes, one blue and one green. It's added to my character, there are so many people that are worse off than me. And if anything, losing something like that makes you realise that. It’s not hindered me in any shape or form. It’s a good conversation starter I must admit."
© Photo: ITVRon is a financial advisor from Essex
Anna-May Robey
20-year-old Anna-May from Swansea is looking for a boyfriend in this year's series. The Payroll administrator, who has been single for a while, thinks Love Island "is a good way to meet someone".
On how her friends and family would describe her, she said: "Energetic. I’m always running around singing and screaming. My parents are always like, 'Shut up!'
"I work from home all day so I don’t really speak to people in person for two or three days a week, so when my father comes home, he’ll want to sit down and chill out, and I’m there chewing his ear off! I would definitely say I am a chatterbox."
© Photo: ITVAnna-May is looking for a boyfriend
Will Young
Will is a 23-year-old farmer from Buckinghamshire who has previously struggled to juggle work with relationships. "Love Island will give me time away from the farm to solely go out and find love. I think I'm at the time of my life where I'm mature enough to go and find a wife," he says.
Will is a farmer from Buckinghamshire
Tanyel Revan
26-year-old Tanyel, who hails from North London, is a hair stylist, who hopes to bring her "energy and confidence" to the villa this series.
On why she's a catch, Tanyel says: "I'm hard to get, confident, funny, charismatic, good looking and happy. I’m also a very loyal person, what is there not to love?"
Tanyel is a hair stylist from North London
Shaq Muhammad
Airport security officer Shaq is set to touch down in the villa for this year's series. The 24-year-old Londoner admits that he hasn't had "the best luck" with previous relationships and is hoping to meet the "love of his life" in sunny South Africa.
Something not many people know about Shaq is that his favourite film is the 2010 romance drama Dear John. "Every time I watch Dear John I cry," he says. Us too Shaq, us too.
© Photo: ITVShaq is an airport security officer
Olivia Hawkins
Olivia Hawkins who hails from Brighton is jetting out of South Africa for the new series of Love Island in the hopes of finding love. The 27-year-old says she'll bring fun vibes and maybe a little bit of drama! The actress also has some pretty cool claims to fame.
"I did a film with Jason Statham and had a nice 10-minute convo about life. I've been a ring girl for KSI, I played a waitress in James Bond with Daniel Craig and I've also been a body double for Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson."
© Photo: ITVHaris Namani
Haris is a TV salesman who comes from Doncaster is hoping to meet his Mrs Right in the villa! He says: "I'm different, I'm a unique guy, the way I act; confident, not awkward, especially with the girls. I'm friendly, I'm very respectful as well.
"Anyone who meets me, I don't think they have anything bad to say about me. I don't give them that bad impression to say, 'Oh, I don't want to speak to him again.'"
© Photo: ITVMore to follow...
When does winter Love Island start?
Winter Love Island is set to begin on Monday, January 16 2023. The show will air on ITV 2 and ITV Hub at 9 pm.
Who is hosting winter Love Island 2023?
After the summer series, which saw Ekin-Su and Davide crowned champions, host Laura Whitmore announced she was stepping down from the show.
Sharing the news on Instagram, the presenter said: "Some news! I won't be hosting the next series of Love Island.
"There are certain elements of the show I've found very difficult that cannot be changed some due to the format, including the flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects. I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands. I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into 3 series. I hope I did you proud Caroline."
LISTEN: Today's best royal and celebrity news in 3 minutes
Maya Jama has since been confirmed as the new host. "Okay, the rumours are true. Say hey to your brand-new #LoveIsland host," she wrote on her Instagram page.
© Photo: InstagramMaya is the new host of Love Island
Like this story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.
