Love Island made its much-anticipated return to screens on Monday night, with ten hopeful singletons heading to a brand new Mallorcan villa in search of ‘fun, flirting and fifty grand.’
The series kicked off with a dramatic twist as viewers were given the chance to vote for this year’s first couples for the first time, but romances have already been put to the test with the arrival of hunky bombshell Davide Sanclimenti.
While the couples were mere hours into getting to know one another, the Islanders learned that one boy would be left vulnerable as Davide chose which one he’d like to be paired up with, and Gemma didn’t waste any time stealing a cheeky smooch from the hunk.
Love in the air? Love Island made its much-anticipated return to screens on Monday night, and Gemma Owen was quickly paired up with Liam Llewellyn thanks to a public vote
In the opening scenes of the much-anticipated new series, the girls – Gemma Owen, Indiyah Polack, Paige Thorne, Tasha Ghouri and Amber Beckford- were seen sat round the infamous fire pit when host Laura Whitmore welcomed them to the ITV dating show.
When asked what type of man she is looking for, Gemma said: ‘I’m looking for a guy that is really family orientated – that is so important. Good morals.’
The dressage champion, whose father is footballer Michael Owen, admitted her dad does ‘have an opinion on who she dates, but she’s hoping to score in the villa.’
Already? Within hours it appeared that Gemma’s head had been turned, as she jumped at the chance to kiss Italian bombshell Davide Sanclimenti during a game of dares
At odds: The series kicked off with a dramatic twist as viewers were given the chance to vote for this year’s first couples for the first time, but romances have already been put to the test with the arrival of Davide
They’re here! In the opening scenes of the much-anticipated new series, the girls were seen sat round the infamous fire pit when host Laura Whitmore welcomed them to the ITV dating show
Here they are! Paige and Indiyah were the first girls to enter the villa, and quickly got to the important business of comparing their ‘types’
Best friends already? The girls eagerly embraced as they got to know one another after meeting in the villa for the first time
Entrance: Amber stunned in a skimpy black two-piece and a leopard-print cardigan as she entered the villa on the back of a Jeep
But viewers were convinced Gemma was desperate to reveal her father’s identity after revealing her surname and raced to Twitter to air their views.
One wrote: ‘Gemma is fuming they haven’t made the Owen connection’.
While a second added: ‘Gemma shocked no one mentioned Michael Owen when she said her last name killed me’.
And a third agreed: ‘Gemma is dying to drop the ‘My Dad is Michael Owen’ line.
Convinced: Viewers rushed to Twitter claiming that Gemma was ‘gagging’ for everyone to know who her famous father was
LOL: Many shared memes convinced the brunette beauty wanted everyone to know her lineage
And fourth shared a cheeky image of Michael holding his football shirt emblazoned with his name writing: ‘ Gemma Owen putting her Pj’s on tonight’.
Another viewer joked: ‘LOOOOOOL Gemma wanted someone to say is your dad Michael Owen? But nobody did’.
And another wrote: ‘Gemma is FUMING they didn’t click when she said Gemma Owen’.
While another commented: ‘Gemma so disappointed no one picked up on the Owen part’.
Amber admitted she wanted something more ‘long-term’ rather than summer fling, adding: ‘I’ve been single for a year and a half now.’
And when quizzed on her turn-offs, Indiyah replied: ‘Bad, bad fashion sense!’
As the girls lined up in front of the pool for their male co-star’s arrival, Laura dropped a huge bombshell, admitting that the first coupling is not going to go as they expected on the eighth series.
Pals: Paige and Indiyah shared a warm embrace as they were among the first arrivals at the new Mallorca Love Island villa
Shock: As the girls lined up in front of the pool for their male co-star’s arrivals, Laura dropped a huge bombshell, admitting that the first coupling wasn’t going to go as they expected on the eighth series
She revealed: ‘Well girls, it’s time to couple up. There is something I haven’t told you yet – things are a little different this year.
‘You thought you’d all be stepping forward for the boys you fancy the most. However, this is Love Island and you never know what to expect.
‘For the first time ever, we asked the public to play cupid and pick the boy they thought you should couple up with.’
But Tasha didn’t seem too apprehensive at the twist, saying: ‘I trust the public, I trust them,’ while Gemma confessed that she was ‘absolutely sh*****g it.’
Stunning: Gemma looked sensational as she arrived in a coral two-piece while Tasha looked incredible in a strapless blue ensemble with daring cut outs
Dream man? Gemma, whose father is footballer Michael Owen, admitted her dad does ‘have an opinion on who she dates, but she’s hoping to score in the villa’
Exciting: The girls were sat round the infamous fire pit when host Laura Whitmore welcomed them to the ITV dating show revealing this year’s couples had been chosen by a public vote
Show: When quizzed on her turn-offs, Indiyah said: ‘Bad, bad fashion sense’
One by one, the boys made their entrance into the villa, kicking off with microbiologist, Dami Hope, 26, who admitted he’d been intentionally single for four years in the hope of finding his dream girl – along with the unexpected anecdote that he boasts a heart-shaped tattoo on his manhood.
Revealing the girl he’d be coupling up with, thanks to the public vote, Laura announced that it would Amber, who told her: ‘Yeah why not, I guess we’ll see!’
Up next was student Liam Llewellyn, 22, who confessed he can get ‘hypnotised’ by a girl’s good looks before getting to know their personality.
Good choice? The first hunk to enter the villa was microbiologist Dami Hope, 26, who admitted he’d been intentionally single for four years in the hope of finding his dream girl
Good match? Revealing the girl he’d be coupling up with, thanks to the public vote, Laura announced that it would Amber, who told Laura: ‘Yeah why not, I guess we’ll see!’
Upon learning he’d been coupled up with Gemma, Liam said he was ‘happy,’ while Gemma noted that the hunk was ‘cute.’
Third to enter the villa was salesman Ikenna Ekwonna, 23, who boasts the record of kissing ‘between 15 and 20 girls’ in one night and a self-confessed ‘wandering eye.’
Coupled up with Indiyah, the beauty was taken aback by his height, but gave little away in her initial reaction.
Up next was Dubai-based real estate agent Andrew Le Page, 27, who was paired up with Tasha, who gushed she was ‘happy’ to be put with the ‘cheeky’ hunk, leaving Paige to be coupled with fish salesman Luca Bish, 23.
Head turned? Up next was student Liam Llewellyn, 22, who confessed he can get ‘hypnotised’ by a girl’s good looks before getting to know their personality
Love in the air? Upon learning he’d been coupled up with Gemma, Liam said he was ‘happy,’ while Gemma noted that the hunk was ‘cute’
As Laura confirmed that Luca would be paired with Paige, who confessed ‘the suspense literally killed her,’ and ‘we would see’ whether they were a good match.
The couples were then given some time to get to know one another with the boys quickly comparing notes about the girls they’d been paired with.
A clearly-thrilled Liam gushed that Gemma was ‘100% his type,’ while Paige admitted Luca ‘wasn’t usually her type,’ due to his short stature, but his collection of tattoos ‘made up for it.’
Good choice? Third to enter the villa was salesman Ikenna Ekwonna, 23, who boasts the record of kissing ‘between 15 and 20 girls’ in one night and a self-confessed ‘wandering eye,’ and he was paired with clearly-unimpressed Indiyah
Sparks are flying! Up next was Dubai-based real estate agent Andrew Le Page, 27, who was paired up with Tasha, who gushed she was ‘happy’ to be put with the ‘cheeky’ hunk, leaving Paige to be coupled with fish salesman Luca Bish, 23
Who is left? Last to enter the villa was Luca Bish, 23, who was paired up with Paige, who confessed ‘the suspense literally killed her,’ and ‘we would see’ whether they were a good match
Settling down for a chat with Indiyah, Ikenna admitted she was a ‘tough one to crack’ as she refused to disclose her ‘type.’
She added in the Beach Hut: ‘Am I happy? It’s early days, it’s early days, we must have something in common if the public put us together!’
Meanwhile Dami told Amber that he would have chosen to couple up with her if he had the chance and it appeared the pair were getting on well.
Thoughts? Following the conclusion of the first recoupling of the series, Paige (left) and Tasha (right), offered their thoughts on their male suitors in the Beach Hut
Unimpressed? Indiyah seemed less convinced, saying: ‘Am I happy? It’s early days, it’s early days, we must have something in common if the public put us together!’
After getting dressed up for the evening, the Islanders were greeting with an unexpected arrival in the form of Italian star Davide, and within minutes he’d turned the girls heads.
Speaking in the Beach Hut about Davide’s arrival, Gemma gushed: ‘I was blown away.’
While Indiyah admitted: ‘When I saw him, I was very confused because I had no warning but he is very good looking!’
Coming clean? Despite her famous heritage, Gemma (left) refused to budge when grilled by Liam (right) about whether she had a relationship ‘with a footballer’
And he appeared to catch the attention of Tasha too, as she said: ‘Straight away I was like, ‘Wow. Fit. Hot. Sexy. Hercules’.’
Paige admitted: ‘I’m done. I’m ready to get married. I’m ready to have babies.’
Talking about the overwhelmingly positive reaction from the girls, Davide said: ‘When I walked into the Villa, I saw all the girls and I’m really impressed, I’m not going to lie.’
But Davide kept the boys on their toes, as Luca admitted that he felt slightly nervous about his arrival when speaking in the Beach Hut.
Impressed: As the contestants settled in to the villa, Italian star Davide made his entrance as the first bombshell of the series and already began turning heads and ruffling feathers
Tempted! Speaking in the Beach Hut about Davide’s arrival, Gemma gushed: ‘I was blown away’
‘Davide! I was thinking I’m the good-looking Italian here and then you’ve sent that geezer through the door,’ he said.
The much-anticipated first episode also saw the Islanders play a cheeky game of dares, with Davide having to do a ‘strip tease’, and Gemma quickly made her intentions known, refusing to perform a lap dance for Liam, leaving Paige to put on a raunchy display for the men.
Dared to kiss the Islander she wants to share a bed with, Gemma quickly grabbed Davide for a brief smoch, leaving Liam stunned.
Really? Upon seeing Davide for the first time Paige admitted: ‘I’m done. I’m ready to get married. I’m ready to have babies’
No thanks! The much-anticipated first episode also saw the Islanders play a cheeky game of dares, with Davide having to do a ‘strip tease’, and Gemma quickly made her intentions known, refusing to perform a lap dance for Liam
Naughty! The cheeky game saw the Islanders demonstrating a range of sex positions, before Indiyah rode Ikennah around the garden, with the beauty stunned by his tall stature
As the girls settled down for a post-Dares debrief, Gemma admitted she did feel there was ‘something missing’ in Liam, and she was most ‘physically attracted’ to Davide
But the opening episode ended on a dramatic note, as Davide then receives a text which says he will have to couple up with the girl of his choice just 24 hours later, leaving male Islander single, and therefore vulnerable.
The Islanders already seem to be utilising the grandeur new villa, which is the biggest yet – boasting an infinity pool, huge bedrooms, and panoramic views of Mallorca.
Views? As the girls settled down for a post-Dares debrief, Gemma admitted she did feel there was ‘something missing’ in Liam, and she was most ‘physically attracted’ to Davide
Surprise! The opening episode ends on a dramatic note, as Davide then receives a text which says he will have to couple up with the girl of his choice just 24 hours later, leaving male Islander single, and therefore vulnerable
Proud dad: Gemma, who admitted her father ‘has opinions about who she dates’, has now entered the villa, after her striker dad Michael Owen described the show as ‘a father’s worst nightmare’
Fans were given a sneak peak into the islanders first day in the villa ahead of the opening episode, with the girls snapped gathering around the famed firepit to hear what they have in store.
Gemma sported a high-waisted peach bikini with a criss-cross design for her entrance, as she was joined by Indiyah, Paige, Tasha and Amber around the firepit.
Meanwhile, Dami, Liam, Davide, Ikenna, Andrew and Luca all flashed dazzling smiles as they made ab-flashing, tattoo-baring entrances.
Summer of love: Fans were given a sneak peak into the islanders first day in the villa ahead of the opening episode, with the girls snapped gathering around the famed firepit to hear what they have in store
With an emphasis is on size, the villa boasts bigger bedrooms, and more outdoor space, giving the 12 hopefuls lots of opportunity for romance to blossom.
Show producer Mike said: ‘We decided we wanted to have a new summer. We have a new designer on board called Patrick Watson and we viewed quite a few villas and this one was by far the best.
‘We want the viewers to tune in and know it’s Love Island but with a glow up. We started construction two months’ ago and the villa still isn’t finished.’
Love Island producers have also confirmed to MailOnline that while food-eating challenges have been scrapped, sex is still on the menu, and they will assess each moment of pleasure between the Islanders on a case-by-case basis.
Asked by MailOnline if the 2022 series will show sex scenes unlike last year, executive producer Mike Spencer admitted there was no black out ban in place.
Bigger than ever! With an emphasis is on size, the villa boasts bigger bedrooms, and more outdoor space, giving the 12 hopefuls lots of opportunity for romance to blossom
He said: ‘We don’t decide anything in advance. You just don’t know until you see the footage, genuinely, we are so reactive we are cutting around the clock.
‘If something happens, we are cutting it overnight so until you see something it is hard to make a judgment and you just have to go with what is right.
‘The show does get it right, it’s suggestive and funny, music is a massive thing, and we will continue to do that but until we see it it’s difficult to tell and it depends on who it is.’
The new villa, which is Love Island’s third, is located just 10 minutes from last year’s base but bosses were keen to give the show a ‘glow up’ ahead of its eighth series.
All change: Love Island contestants will be given inclusivity training and bespoke guidance on how to cope with instant fame (pictured: The cast of 2021)
And the emphasis is on size, with bigger bedrooms, and more outdoor space, giving the 12 hopefuls lots of opportunity for romance to blossom.
Mike said: ‘We decided we wanted to have a new summer. We have a new designer on board called Patrick Watson and we viewed quite a few villas and this one was by far the best.
‘We want the viewers to tune in and know it’s Love Island but with a glow up. We started construction two months’ ago and the villa still isn’t finished.’
During this season of Love Island, contestants will be given inclusivity training, round the clock access to mental health experts and bespoke guidance on how to cope with instant fame as part of an extensive care package implemented ahead of its latest series.
P roducers have ensured its latest crop of singletons are given plenty of professional guidance as part of their duty of care protocol – before, during and after their stay in the Spanish villa.
Ahead of this series, contestants were offered video training and guidance covering appropriate inclusive language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, as well as general behaviours and microaggressions.
Pre-filming psychological and medical assessments, including reviews conducted by an independent doctor, psychological consultant and reports from each Islander’s own GP to check their respective medical histories, were also required.
The inclusion training, which Islanders were offered prior to entering the Villa, consisted of conversations chaired by BCOMS (Black Collective of Media in Sport) founder Leon Mann MBE.
It also included DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) consultant Hayley Bennett, disability specialist Shani Dhanda and broadcaster Sean Fletcher.
The discussions have been devised to tackle topics including inclusive language, behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally.
Additionally, prospective Islanders watched a video fronted by the show’s executive producer and head of welfare interviewing former Islanders about their experiences on the show.
This included details on the two week period before they enter the Villa, how to cope being filmed 24 hours a day, the interaction they will have with producers in the Villa, the support provided to family members, dealing with social media trolling, and adapting to life away from the show.
As always registered mental health professional are engaged throughout the whole series – from pre-filming to aftercare.
Potential Islanders are also required to fully disclose in confidence any medical history that would be relevant to their inclusion in the Villa and the production’s ability to provide a suitable environment for them.
Love Island continues tomorrow at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox.
Meet the couples! Indiyah is unimpressed with Ikenna, indifferent Amber admits ‘we’ll see’ and frosty Gemma has ALREADY clashed with hapless student Liam as the Islanders take first uncertain step towards true love after public vote bombshell
By Codie Bullen for MailOnline
Love Island finally returned on Monday night, with 11 sizzling singletons hoping to find love in the Mallorca villa.
Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma, 19, was voted by the public to couple up with Liam Llewellyn who revealed he is looking for ‘the one’ but it didn’t take long for the pair to clash and the brunette beauty to confess there was ‘something missing.’
Elsewhere Indiyah Polack was visibly unimpressed to be paired up with Ikenna Ekwonna, even refusing to disclose her ‘type’ to him while they attempted to get to know each other.
Trouble: Indiyah Polack has been coupled up with Ikenna Ekwonna – who could cause trouble as he revealed he would put romance before friendship
Indiyah has been coupled up with Ikenna – who could cause trouble as he revealed he would put romance before friendship – and the beauty gave little away in her initial reaction despite being visibly taken aback by his height.
Later settling down for a chat with Indiyah, Ikenna admitted she was a ‘tough one to crack’ as she refused to disclose her ‘type.’
Elsewhere, Amber Beckford and Dami Hope were paired up, and they certainly made for a stunning duo during the first dramatic coupling of the series.
Looking good: Elsewhere, Amber Beckford and Dami Hope were paired up, and they certainly made for a stunning duo during the first dramatic coupling of the series
Revealing the girl he’d be coupling up with, thanks to the public vote, host Laura announced that it would Amber, who told her: ‘Yeah why not, I guess we’ll see!’
Dami could have competition as Amber previously admitted she has dated someone famous, but is the name a secret for now.
If the couple hit it off, Amber will have to win over Dami’s grandma as he said: ‘I don’t know how my grandma is going to feel if I find my wife on a TV show!
Elsewhere, after describing her appearance on the show as a ‘father’s worst nightmare’, it seems footballer Michael may want to cover his eyes as Gemma gets to know Welsh student Liam who admitted he needs to ‘scrub up on his more romantic side’.
New couple alert! Gemma Owen and Liam Llewellyn coupled up on Monday’s first episode, but the frosty brunette didn’t waste any time clashing with the student while her head was turned by bombshell Davide Sanclimenti
The public may have thought they were spot on with this couple as Liam previously said his type on paper is ‘petite and brunette’.
But frosty Gemma didn’t waste any time clashing with Liam, refusing to bite when he asked whether she’d had ‘a relationship with a footballer,’ perhaps alluding to her famous father.
And within hours Gemma’s head was turned with the arrival of Italian bombshell Davide Sanclimenti, with the pair even sharing a brief smooch during a game of dares.
Next up, ITV viewers voted for Love Island’s first deaf contestant Tasha Ghouri to couple up with Andrew Le Page.
Tasha’s in for a treat as Andrew – who is a real estate agent from Guernsey – described himself as a romantic who likes to treat a girl, revealing he once surprised his ex with a trip to Paris.
Good looking pair: ITV viewers voted for Love Island’s first deaf contestant Tasha Ghouri to couple up with Andrew Le Page
Tasha, who is the show’s first deaf contestant, gushed she was ‘happy’ to be put with the ‘cheeky’ hunk.
And finally, Paige Thorne is coupled up with Luca Bish, who will have to win over the paramedics dad if they stay together as he refuses to watch hisdaughter crack on this summer.
She will have to put up with Luca’s cheeky personality as he previously revealed he is going on the show with a ‘whatever happens, happens’ attitude when it comes to having sex in the villa.
Couple: Finally, Paige Thorne is now coupled up with Luca Bish, who will have to win over the paramedics dad if they stay together as he refuses to watch his daughter crack on this summer
LOVE ISLAND 2022: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Paige Thorne
Name: Paige Thorne
Age: 24
Location: Swansea
Occupation: Paramedic
Who is their type on paper? ‘In Swansea there is just no-one I can find.
I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!
‘I came out of a relationship and I was just so done with guys. Then I was like, ‘Ok, I’m bored now’
Indiyah Polack
Name: Indiyah Polack
Age: 23
Location: London
Occupation: Hotel waitress
Who is their type on paper? ‘It’s quite hard to date without being influenced by social media and stuff like that.
Love Island is a great place to get to know someone one-on-one.
I don’t think I have ever been out with two guys who are quite the same.’
Tasha Ghouri
Name: Tasha Ghouri
Age: 23
Location: Thirsk
Occupation: Model and dancer
Who is their type on paper? ‘My dating life has been a shambles.
This is an opportunity for me to find ‘the one’ and have a great summer at the same time.
I’m definitely ready for a relationship. I’m 23 now so I’m ready to get to know someone and travel with them.’
Gemma Owen
Name: Gemma Owen
Age: 19
Location: Chester
Occupation: International Dressage Rider and Business Owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘I am open to finding love, I’m wanting to have a really fun summer.
I would say I’m fun, flirty and fiery. I think I’m good at giving advice, I’m a good person to talk to, I’m very honest.
If I want the same guy, I’d do it but in a nice respectful way.
Andrew Le Page
Name: Andrew Le Page
Age: 27
Location: Guernsey
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Who is their type on paper? ‘When I’m with someone I’m very loyal.
I’m a good boyfriend as when I’m with someone I’m all for them.
I’m actually single for once, so I thought why not?
This is the best time to give it a go.’
Luca Bish
Name: Luca Bish
Age: 23
Location: Brighton
Occupation: Fishmonger
Who is their type on paper? ‘I prefer to meet girls out and about. I think when you go looking for it, it’s not as easy though, it’s like you’re too desperate for it.
If I think you’re the one or I like you, I’ll take you out on a date but other than that, if we talk and I don’t like where it’s going – then I won’t be throwing out dates.
Dami Hope
Name: Dami Hope
Age: 26
Location: Dublin
Occupation: Senior Microbiologist
Who is their type on paper? ‘I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some.
When I’m actually in a relationship, I think it’s a star sign thing.
I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. I’m really good at being in a team’.
Liam Llewellyn
Name: Liam Llewellyn
Age: 22
Location: Newport, South Wales
Occupation: Masters Student
Who is their type on paper? ’22 is a really nice age to meet someone, you’ve got your years ahead of you so you have time to grow together.
Love Island is a great opportunity to meet someone, you’re in with a load of different types so you can get to grips with what you really like.’
Davide Sanclimenti
Name: Davide Sanclimenti
Age: 27
Location: Rome (lives in Manchester)
Occupation: Business owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘A lot of English girls actually love me.
They love to be around me and I love to be around them. I want to find my soulmate.
Find my person so I can actually build something in the future, grow with them, be a family. ‘
Ikenna Ekwonna
Name: Ikenna Ekwonna
Age: 23
Location: Nottingham
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales
Who is their type on paper? ‘I’ve only been in one past relationship but now I think I’m at the age where I could find someone.
Hopefully, I’m going to bring spontaneity and excitement.
I’m not really shy to speak to people I don’t really care too much about what people think.’
Amber Beckford
Name: Amber Beckford
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: Nanny
Who is their type on paper? ‘I don’t like guys that show off.
I don’t like flashy guys – just have a personality and make me laugh.
There was this one guy and he was trying to purposefully show off his car keys and we were literally in the middle of a restaurant!’
Originally posted 2022-06-06 22:25:34.