Love Island 2023 – live: New bombshell Whitney arrives in the villa as Tyrique and Ella share a kiss

Love Island is back for its 10th season, meaning two months of Turkey teeth, snakey behaviour and lots of snogging.

The new summer series featured a major twist for the launch episode as the public voted for which contestants they wanted to see coupled up, but the vote was soon criticised by many fans after the show’s Black stars were paired with each other.

Maya Jama is back on hosting duties after she made her debut on the winter edition earlier this year.

The first batch of contestants in the villa includes model Ella Thomas and semi-professional footballer Tyrique Hyde. On Tuesday (6 June), Tyrique’s revelation of how many sexual partners he’s had failed to impress the girls, before bombshell contestant Zachariah Noble chose to partner with Catherine Agbaje.

One newcomer, Molly Marsh, joins the list of “nepo babies” who have appeared throughout the show’s history, from Dani Dyer to Tommy Fury.

Find out all about the 2023 villa here and which former contestants are still together here.

And follow along for live updates...

Key points

• How many weeks is Love Island 2023?

• Meet the cast of this year’s reality dating show

• Love Island: Last season’s winners and all previous champions

• Love Island can’t hide from its ugly past – what place does the series have in 2023?

22:03 , Louis Chilton

Right, that’s another episode of Love Island over with! I’ll stop blogging now. Obviously.

If you’re hungry for some further reading, you can click here for all the latest news stories about the series.

Thanks for being with us!

22:01 , Louis Chilton

Molly and Mitch getting in on the action too...

21:58 , Louis Chilton

Had to reach for the volume myself...

21:57 , Louis Chilton

“Friendzoning”... I thought that word had fallen out of fashion?

21:55 , Louis Chilton

After playing toastmaster, Andre is now talking about getting manicures. Are we watching Love Island or an episode of Frasier?

21:51 , Louis Chilton

Viewing figures may be way down, but some people are still digging the new series, it seems.

21:48 , Louis Chilton

(That joke brought to you from the year 2020)

21:48 , Louis Chilton

The age gap’s been mentioned a few times now. Can definitely see it becoming an issue further down the line.

Four years doesn’t seem like that long? Tell that to the Trump administration...

21:41 , Louis Chilton

Tyrique seems to be making a stir on social media

21:39 , Louis Chilton

21 and 25... can feel the micro-age-gap discourse revving up already

21:30 , Louis Chilton

And with just one text, Andre’s back in his pomp.

21:28 , Louis Chilton

Keeping his options open, it seems.

21:25 , Louis Chilton

Seems I’m not the only one, either

21:25 , Louis Chilton

Might be the haircut but Zach keeps reminding me of Mateo Kovacic...

21:21 , Louis Chilton

Isobel Lewis actually touched on the criticism Love Island has faced over its lack of LGBT+ inclusivity in this great feature earlier this week.

One for the next ad break, maybe

Love Island can’t hide from its ugly past – what place does the series have in 2023?

21:18 , Louis Chilton

“If you wanna spoon, bro, I’m always here.”

Happy Pride month I guess.

21:12 , Louis Chilton

Digging George’s energy, to be honest. Just a complete guileless transparency to his chat-up game.

21:09 , Louis Chilton

Viewers are reading between the lines there.

21:06 , Louis Chilton

Bit brutal for Andre, that

20:59 , Louis Chilton

And it’s time! Back to the villa...

19:52 , Louis Chilton

Little over an hour to go until the next episode.

There’s a new bombshell incoming...

Watch: Molly and Mitchel share first onscreen kiss after second day in villa

09:10 , Nicole Vassell

Love Island line up: Meet the contestants and couples of the 2023 summer edition

08:00 , Nicole Vassell

An estate agent from Dublin! A beautician from Surrey! A comms manager from Bordeaux, France!

You never know who’ll be a contestant on Love Island, and so far there’s a wide range of professions and hometowns represented on season 10, with more to come throughout the summer.

Here’s a look at everyone who’s entered the summer 2023 Love Island villa so far:

Love Island line up: Meet the contestants and couples of the 2023 summer edition

COMMENT: Love Island can’t hide from its ugly past – what place does the series have in 2023?

07:00 , Nicole Vassell

Though it may be a summer staple, Love Island is far from being everyone’s cup of tea.

As the 10th season of the show (and the 2nd of 2023) gets underway, The Independent’s Isobel Lewis has questioned its relevance in a changing world.

“In an age that ostensibly champions body positivity, Love Island’s continued celebration of conventional hotness, of pert, chiselled bodies available in a skinny to slim size range, is exasperating,” she writes.

“Contestants who aren’t white, particularly Black women, are often poorly treated by the other islanders, with former Black cast members saying they felt like “tokens” on the show. No matter how much ITV talks to the islanders about colourism and unconscious bias before they go in, these problems are never going to go away without a drastic overhaul.”

Here’s the piece in full:

Love Island can’t hide from its ugly past – what place does the series have in 2023?

Love Island’s Coco Lodge claims she was the ‘most trolled’ contestant in show’s history

06:00 , Nicole Vassell

Former Love Island star Coco Lodge has said she was one of the “most” trolled contestants in the show’s history.

The 28-year-old appeared on 2022’s edition of the ITV reality dating show and was briefly partnered with Andrew Le Page.

In a new interview, Lodge has claimed that she was repeatedly mocked by viewers for her appearance and perceived as a “villain”.

Ellie Muir has the full story:

Love Island’s Coco Lodge says she was ‘most trolled’ contestant in show’s history

Where is Love Island filmed?

05:00 , Nicole Vassell

Love Island is almost as famous for its villa, full of colour and sunny beach aesthetics, as it is for its catchphrases and addictive viewing qualities.

But where is it? And what does it look like when the contestants aren’t around?

Here’s a closer peek at the villa:

Inside the famous Love Island villa near Majorca

Dating ‘green flags’ to look out for on Love Island – and in your own life

04:00 , Nicole Vassell

Love Island doesn’t exactly show a typical dating experience, but it can be a jumping point for getting people to examine their own relationships in the real world.

Though there’s never a shortage of “red flags” on display, the show can also give examples of “green flags” – positive dating behaviours that people could benefit from in their search for a partner.

With the help of relationship and dating experts, Imy Brighty-Potts reports on the “green flags” that viewers can note on the show, and in their own lives:

Dating ‘green flags’ to look out for on Love Island – and in your own life

From Gemma Owen to Tommy Fury: All of the nepo babies that have appeared on Love Island

03:00 , Nicole Vassell

Sometimes, the contestants on Love Island have some awareness of a life of fame and fortune through their loved ones.

Nearly every season, at least one of the hopeful Islanders will be one degree of separation from someone famous. Last year, Gemma, daughter of football star Michael Owen, made it all the way to the grand final with her then-partner, Luca.

Here are all the nepo babies of Love Island:

All of the nepo babies that have appeared on Love Island

Love Island is back: How to buy the iconic water bottles and other merch

02:00 , Nicole Vassell

If you’ve seen the Love Island water bottles, robes and phone cases and felt a pang of envy in your heart, you’re not alone.

The personalised items on ITV2’s hit dating show are as much of a staple as someone shouting “I’ve got a text!” as soon as their phone pings – and luckily for any super fans reading, you can have a touch of the Majorcan villa right in your home.

Here’s how to get your hands on your own merchandise that’ll have you feeling every part of the Love Island fantasy:

How to buy Love Island 2023 water bottles and other merch

Love Island: Last season’s winners and all previous champions

01:00 , Nicole Vassell

Later this summer, Love Island will crown its 10th winning pair, walking away with a cash prize and both parties with a new beau on their arm.

But can you remember the nine couples who came before them?

Here’s a walk down memory lane:

Who are the previous winners of Love Island?

WATCH: Two contestants discover they’ve already met during first coupling

Wednesday 7 June 2023 00:00 , Nicole Vassell

Who’s still together from past Love Island seasons?

Tuesday 6 June 2023 23:00 , Nicole Vassell

Though it’s a great way to try to launch yourself as a public figure, Love Island is primarily a programme that helps hot young things find lasting romance.

And for some, it really does work! Years after their on-screen meeting, some couples are still happily in love and have even cemented their unions with weddings and kids. Cute!

Here’s a look at the hall of fame of successful Love Island pairings still going strong today:

All the Love Island couples that are still together now

ICYMI: Love Island fans criticise public vote after Black contestants coupled up, again

Tuesday 6 June 2023 22:30 , Nicole Vassell

In a change to traditional proceedings, Love Island’s initial pairings were the work of voting viewers, rather than the contestants themselves.

However, some viewers noted a lack of imagination when it came to choosing potential mates for the Black contestants.

Catherine Agbaje and Andre Furtado, and Ella Thomas and Tyrique Hyde were partnered up on episode one – meaning, just like in the 2022 season, the Black contestants were solely matched with other Black contestants.

Ellie Harrison reports:

Love Island fans criticise public vote after Black contestants coupled up, again

Tuesday 6 June 2023 22:14 , Nicole Vassell

So far, looks like people are VERY here for this new couple... Team Zacherine’s here in full effect!

Tuesday 6 June 2023 22:06 , Nicole Vassell

People on social media definitely caught how quickly and easily Catherine joined Zachariah, ahem:

Tuesday 6 June 2023 22:05 , Nicole Vassell

And that seals it! Zachariah picks Catherine, leaving André single and potentially vulnerable for elimination... is the sun setting on his time in the villa already?!

Tuesday 6 June 2023 22:01 , Nicole Vassell

AND THERE IT IS. Catherine’s mentioned the “ick” after André’s territorial moment... it’s not looking great!

Tuesday 6 June 2023 22:00 , Nicole Vassell

Manicure check with Ruchee... you love to see it.

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:58 , Nicole Vassell

Ha, André showing NO subtlety in taking Catherine for a chat while she’s getting to know Zachariah. The game’s the game!

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:57 , Nicole Vassell

Well, that’s cleared up that! Mitchel’s told Molly that he didn’t really cheat on three women at once, as he wasn’t in a full relationship with either of them.

Crisis averted... for now.

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:52 , Nicole Vassell

The revelation that Tyrique stopped counting the number of women he’s slept with after he hit 100 has NOT gone down well with Ella... and THEN, to compare it to Catherine kissing five guys in a night?

He is going to be a CHARACTER this season, you can just tell...

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:45 , Nicole Vassell

Not Mehdi trying to French kiss a mother-daughter duo!

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:43 , Nicole Vassell

ICYMI: Zachariah and Catherine’s first kiss had André feeling like he has to step his game up...

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:38 , Nicole Vassell

Now we’ve heard that Catherine once kissed five guys in one night, and Molly’s used a friend’s handbag to unblock a toilet. Attagirls!

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:36 , Nicole Vassell

And there goes the first text! It’s time to play a game that spills the boys and girls’ secrets... it’s called “Wary Tales”, involving a slippery slope to a magical key that opens a journal that reveals a detail from one contestant’s past... already we’ve heard lies about nipple piercings and admitting to going through a boyfriend’s phone.

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:27 , Nicole Vassell

George just said that Molly is the type of girl he typically “levitates” to... what is love if not floating upwards for someone you care for?

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:13 , Nicole Vassell

Ruchee and Mehdi have also called it quits, making it two couples matched by the public that have split within hours. Love Island matchmakers, do better!

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:09 , Nicole Vassell

Molly hopes that there’s a girl in the villa for George... but sadly, she’s made it clear that it’s not her.

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:06 , Nicole Vassell

Ella asking who’s in Zachariah’s top three with a mouthful of food is very #real... a woman who gets to the facts while enjoying her snacks. Salute!

Tuesday 6 June 2023 21:04 , Nicole Vassell

Here we go! And the power’s in bombshell Zachariah’s hands, as he has 24 hours to decide which girl he’ll couple up with, leaving one original boy single.

Among the girls so far, the official consensus is: “Yeah, he’s fit.”

A who’s who on the Love Island summer 2023 series

Tuesday 6 June 2023 20:55 , Nicole Vassell

We’re minutes away from tonight’s episode of Love Island, and though it’s only episode two, this series looks primed and ready to be a good one!

Here’s a refresher on all the castmates in the villa so far, including last night’s bombshell entry, Zachariah...

Love Island line up: Meet the contestants and couples of the 2023 summer edition

WATCH: Maya Jama shares unexpected new rule with islanders

Tuesday 6 June 2023 20:45 , Nicole Vassell

Tuesday 6 June 2023 20:30 , Nicole Vassell

We’ve got a text... tonight’s episode of Love Island starts in 30 MINUTES!

All the Love Island couples that are still together now

Tuesday 6 June 2023 20:15 , Nicole Vassell

Sometimes on Love Island, a relationship is just for a season, and people part ways some weeks or months after the cameras stop rolling.

Yet, there are also times when romance lasts long term, leading to homes together, marriages and even babies – both fur, and the human kind!

Here is a look at all the couples who have stood the test of time after the island:

All the Love Island couples that are still together now

Love Island’s Catherine ‘seen by medic’ during first day of filming

Tuesday 6 June 2023 19:59 , Nicole Vassell

Current islander Catherine is said to have had a short medical incident during an early stage of filming over the weekend.

An ITV spokesperson told The Independent: “Catherine was seen instantly by one of the 24-hour medics which resulted in a short pause in filming. Once the medic was happy with her temperature she was fine to continue with the rest of filming.”

A prior report from The Sun noted that the Dublin-based commercial real estate agent may have been affected by the hot weather and the nerves of filming.

“Her welfare was the priority and filming with the other islanders and Maya was stopped until she was feeling better.

“It seemed the heat, nerves and not eating enough was the cause of her turn and she returned to filming not long after.”

Maya Jama’s rise to the top

Tuesday 6 June 2023 19:45 , Nicole Vassell

After years of fans suggesting her for the Love Island hosting job, Maya Jama finally took over the reins earlier this year with the 2023 winter season.

Though season nine may have had mixed reviews, more universal praise went to Jama for her enthusiasm and charm as a presenter.

To the audience’s delight, she’s back as the host of season 10, as the action kicks off in Majorca.

Here’s a look at her journey to one of TV’s most coveted jobs:

Maya Jama, the effervescent star bringing a fresh burst of sun to Love Island

All the nepo babies of Love Island

Tuesday 6 June 2023 19:15 , Nicole Vassell

Sometimes, the contestants on Love Island have some awareness of a life of fame and fortune through their loved ones.

Nearly every season, at least one of the hopeful Islanders will be one degree of separation from someone famous. Last year, Gemma, daughter of football star Michael Owen, made it all the way to the grand final with her then-partner, Luca.

Ellie Muir has the rundown of the nepo babies of Love Island:

All of the nepo babies that have appeared on Love Island

Inside the famous Love Island villa

Tuesday 6 June 2023 18:45 , Roisin O’Connor

Love Island is back for its 10^th season, with Maya Jama hosting her first summer series.

The famous villa, in which couples will get to know each other in the hope of finding love, has had another glow-up in preparation for the new series.

Its new look includes a fresh colour scheme and the return of the dog house, as well as new day beds.

Take a look:

Inside the famous Love Island villa near Majorca

Love Island season 10 premiere watched by 1.7 million

Tuesday 6 June 2023 18:15 , Nicole Vassell

The launch episode of Love Island’s 10th season attracted 1.7 million viewers, according to figures from ITV.

As the show aired on ITV2, 1.3 million watched on TV, while 400,000 joined from the broadcaster’s streaming service, ITVX.

Though the episode had the third-highest overnight digital audience for 18-34-year-olds this year, the show’s average viewership is down compared to previous runs.

The premiere of the 2022 summer series, ultimately won by Ekin-Su and Davide, had an average TV audience of 2.4 million. In 2019, the launch episode attracted 3.3 million.

Two Love Island contestants discover they’ve met before

Tuesday 6 June 2023 17:46 , Roisin O'Connor

Love Island’s Coco Lodge claims she was the ‘most trolled’ contestant in show’s history

Tuesday 6 June 2023 16:45 , Roisin O'Connor

Coco Lodge called herself one of the “most” trolled Love Island contestants in the show’s history.

The 28-year-old, who appeared on 2022’s edition of the ITV reality dating show, has said in a new interview that she was repeatedly mocked by viewers for her appearance and perceived as a “villain”.

Lodge arrived on the show as a Casa Amor bombshell, when new singles are brought in to stir up the already existing relationships. The former contestant found herself in a love triangle when she had a connection with Andrew Le Page, who was coupled up with Tasha Ghouri.

Full story:

Love Island’s Coco Lodge says she was ‘most trolled’ contestant in show’s history

Sneak peek: Zachariah gets Jess and Catherine’s heads turning before making a big decision

Tuesday 6 June 2023 15:45 , Nicole Vassell

At the end of yesterday’s episode, season 10’s first bombshell contestant Zachariah made his entrance.

As is the job of any good bombshell, Zach immediately became the talk of the villa – and in Tuesday night’s follow-up, he stays a hot topic.

Jess admits to the girls: “He’s really handsome, and I feel like he’s playing it cool – I like that.”

Later in the beach hut, Catherine lets slip that he’s on her mind too. She says: “I am enjoying getting to know André, but I feel like when Zach came in and he spoke I was like OK… he may be a bit of me…”

And then, while Zach’s speaking to Ruchee on the day beds, he gets the fateful text that tells him it’s time to decide which girl he’s coupling up with – and which boy will be left single.

Maya Jama shares unexpected new rule with islanders

Tuesday 6 June 2023 14:45 , Roisin O'Connor

Maya Jama, the effervescent star bringing a fresh burst of sun to Love Island 2023

Tuesday 6 June 2023 13:45 , Roisin O'Connor

Maya Jama, the effervescent star bringing a fresh burst of sun to Love Island

How long does Love Island go on for?

Tuesday 6 June 2023 13:15 , Jacob Stolworthy

Love Island’s 2023 summer series is expected to run for eight weeks as usual. If the series follows the usual pattern, the grand final is expected to take place on 30 July.

If previous instalments are anything to go by, the final four couples will have visits from their families before the winners are crowned and given the chance to share or steal the £50,000 prize.

The moment two Love Island 2023 contestants learn they’ve already met!

Tuesday 6 June 2023 12:45 , Roisin O'Connor

Tuesday 6 June 2023 12:45 , Jacob Stolworthy

Has Love Island finally given us the ick? That’s the big question pondered by The Independent’s Isobel Lewis in this comment piece.

“The suicides of two former contestants, Sophie Gradon in 2018 and Mike Thalassitis in 2019, as well as the suicide of former presenter Caroline Flack in 2020, showed that the fun wasn’t as harmless as it seemed,” Lewis writes.

“Contestants thought they were having a fun summer gossipping by a pool, but left the show to find themselves national hate figures, their social media feeds flooded with abuse. The air had been sucked out of the villa, its toxic ripple effect now impossible to ignore.”

Read more:

Love Island can’t hide from its ugly past – what place does the series have in 2023?

Meet the contestants and couples of the 2023 summer edition

Tuesday 6 June 2023 11:45 , Ellie Harrison

Get stuck in for glam, grafting, and girls and guys “pulling each other for a chat” –Love Island is back for its 10th season with a whole new batch of islanders.

Meet them here:

Love Island line up: Meet the contestants and couples of the 2023 summer edition

From Gemma Owen to Tommy Fury: All of the nepo babies that have appeared on Love Island

Tuesday 6 June 2023 11:15 , Ellie Harrison

All of the nepo babies that have appeared on Love Island

Love Island can’t hide from its ugly past – what place does the series have in 2023?

Tuesday 6 June 2023 10:45 , Roisin O'Connor

Has Love Island finally given us the ick? As ITV2’s annual celebration of sun, skin and snogging returns, it’s a question many of us are asking. For the past eight years, this dating show has dominated the discourse – plonk a bunch of hot twentysomethings in a Mallorcan villa, and their actions will spark debate about everything from racism to gaslighting. Now back for its 10th series, there’s more scrutiny on Love Island than ever, but little sign it’s going anywhere either. Should Love Island change, just because society has? Or is it asking too much to want a show, where attractive gym bunnies lie around in skimpy swimwear, to be politically aware, too?

By Isobel Lewis:

Love Island can’t hide from its ugly past – what place does the series have in 2023?

Meet all the contestants, including the new bombshell

Tuesday 6 June 2023 10:21 , Ellie Harrison

Last night’s launch saw the arrival of Zachariah... who is going to “steal” one of the contestants in tonight’s show

Love Island line up: Meet the contestants and couples of the 2023 summer edition

Public vote for couples raises eyebrows

Tuesday 6 June 2023 08:15 , Ellie Harrison

Love Island fans have been joking about their “shock” at the public having voted for the Black contestants on the new series to couple up.

Love Island fans criticise public vote after Black contestants coupled up, again

Watch: First Look at Love Island as contestants enter the Villa

Tuesday 6 June 2023 06:23 , Tom Murray

Molly is the show’s latest ‘nepo baby’. Who else has there been?

Tuesday 6 June 2023 05:20 , Tom Murray

21-year-old Molly is the daughter of Janet Marsh, an actor who has had several roles in ITV’s Coronation Street over the years, and featured in series like Bodies, Where The Heart Is and Still Open All Hours.

She previously told OK Magazine that her mum had “only done small day player roles” and insisted that she has not given her daughter any advice for appearing on television.

Find out what other contestants had famous parents here:

All of the nepo babies that have appeared on Love Island

Which Love Island couples have stayed together?

Tuesday 6 June 2023 03:13 , Tom Murray

It’s the tenth season of Love Island so what better time to look back on all the couples we’ve loved and lost over the years?

Who else was quietly devastated when Dani and Jack split up? Are Ekin-Su and Davide still together?

These important questions answered and more, here:

All the Love Island couples that are still together now

Who is the first Love Island bombshell?

Monday 5 June 2023 23:16 , Tom Murray

Zachariah Noble is this year’s first bombshell.

He’s a 25-year-old personal trainer and basketball player from South East London. Here’s his welcome interview with ITV in full:

Why Love Island and why now?

I always say, ‘you only grow as a person when you take yourself out of your comfort zone’ and I think it’s something that’s so far out of my comfort zone, I’d be silly not to give it a go. Being 25, I’m at a crossroads where I’ve been having fun, but I also want to have the peace and harmony that comes from being with the right woman.

What do you think you’ll bring to the Villa?

I’m a very chilled out guy and I’m completely myself 100% of the time. I’m quite straightforward and never struggle making friends, I like to look after people.

What’s your ‘elevator pitch’ for why someone should want to date you?

I’d just shout out ‘What else do you need, babe?’ I’m pretty tall and I’m confident in myself. In this day and age I think being genuine is rare and I’m very genuine. What you see is what you get.

Why would you say you’re single?

I’m not going to be young forever and it would be nice to meet someone and get some good holiday pictures whilst I’m still looking half decent!

How would friends/family describe you?

I think they would say that I’m a lovely guy, hard-working, competitive, and confident. My friends would definitely say I’m the guy they can rely on to bring the banter.

Best / worst date story? 

I was asked to go to a museum once on a date, but I walked around so unimpressed that  I accidentally made it really apparent I didn’t want to be there. I don’t go on many dates, I haven’t been on one for quite a while so it will be nice to go on some in the Villa.

What gives you the ‘ick’?

I’ve got two and they’re both really stupid; Bad handwriting - I’ve got terrible handwriting so they’d need to have better handwriting than me and twerking, I really don’t like twerking!

Do you fall in love quickly?

I do believe in love at first sight, I think that you can sense people’s energies as soon as you meet them.

Love isn’t something you pick to be in, it’s something that happens when it happens.I wouldn’t say I’m closed off but I like things to be really natural and organic.

What are the most important things you look for in a partner?

The most important things are that someone is genuine and they also have good banter.

Tell us something not many people know about you?

My cat is a huge part of my life, I honestly love him. He’s called Frank, I named him about ten years ago - his full name is Frankie G Swagger Don I treat him as if he’s my son, I’m going to miss him so much when I’m in the Villa.

This year marks series 10 of Love Island. Do you have a favourite show moment from any of the previous seasons?

When  Amy returned from Casa Amor and said to Curtis; ‘I was coming back here to tell you I loved you.’

If you had to pick two celebrities to be in the Villa with you as fellow Islanders who would they be and why?

Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot and Meagan Good. Meagan was my childhood supercrush.

If money was no object, what would be your ideal first date?

Even if money wasn’t an option, I think the first thing you want to find out is what someone is like as a person ,so you don’t want to splash too much anyway. I’d be happy with a nice person.