The much anticipated winter Love Island is returning to our TV screens next week to cure our winter blues but the most watched series on ITV has made some exciting new changes.
New host
After presenting on the hit show for two years, Irish presenter Laura Whitmore stepped down as presenter last year.
After her departure rumours spread that Glow Up host, Maya Jama would be the new replacement.
The rumours turned out to be true with the official Love Island Instagram account announcing it October of last year.
Speaking to The Times the 28 year-old said getting the job was similar to getting the “golden ticket” when she received the phone call whilst on holiday in America.
New Villa
With a brand new host its only right that the villa needs a change too. This season the Islanders will be staying just outside Cape Town, South Africa on ‘Millionaires Row’.
The 25 acre property which boasts 17 bedrooms comes with the iconic fire pit and some new additions such as a treehouse and a zip wire.
First blind contestant in the villa
As Love Island continues to work on its diversity issue, the dating series has cast its first blind contestant.
Ron Hall, 25, who is partially sighted and can only see out of one eye due to a football injury when he was eight, exclusively told The Sun that: “It’s not hindered me in any shape or form. It’s a good conversation starter I must admit.”
New Aftersun presenters
If fans couldn’t get enough of the official show they can follow up on the drama with their sister show, Aftersun.
It was also announced earlier this month that Made in Chelsea star, Sam Thompson and last year’s runner up, Indiyah Polack would be the new presenters of the show co-starring with Jama at the end of the week.
They will also feature on the podcast.
Strict rules for contestants
With many fans of the show criticising and making complaints to Ofcom about the show’s male contestants displaying “misogynistic and bullying” behaviour last season, ITV will make it a priority for the new islanders to be offered resource materials on how to “identify negative behaviours in relationships” and “understand the behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour”.
They will be offered “inclusive language” training which covers race, sexuality, disability etc.
Social media accounts will also be inactive during the contestants’ time on the villa to avoid “adverse effects of social media” and trolling.
The new rules have been introduced as part of ITV’s duty of care measures for the new year.
Winter Love Island will start on Monday January 16 at 9pm on ITV2 and later episodes will be available on ITVX.
Bethany Aspinall
Tyler Law
Limo Longiroi