Entertainment
Love Island 2021: Start date, contestants, length and everything else you need to know
With last year’s season cancelled, we’ve been left with a Love Island-shaped hole in our lives. But the good news is, the show is returning in 2021.
Last year, fans were treated to a winter edition of the show, before the summer series was pulled due to concerns surrounding coronavirus.
With the 2021 cast for summer now confirmed, here’s everything you need to know about the brand new series of Love Island:
When does Love Island 2021 start and how to watch in the UK
The highly anticipated new series of Love Island starts Monday June 28.
You can tune in to watch the return of the show at 9pm on ITV2 or watch the episode live via the ITV Hub. All episodes will be available to watch on catch-up on the ITV Hub once they have aired on TV.
Who are the Love Island 2021 contestants?
After much speculation, the Love Island cast for the summer series 2021 has finally been announced.
The brand new line up features a former pageant queen turned lawyer-in-training, a semi-professional footballer and an events host that counts royalty amongst his celebrity clientele.
Sharon Gaffka, 25
Sharon Gaffka was confirmed as the very first islander for this year’s series.
The 25-year-old islander is from Oxford and has conquered beauty pageants, worked on government policies and is now ready to find love.
Aaron Francis, 24
Aaron Francis hails from London and works as a luxury events host, having recently rubbed shoulders with Princess Eugenie and Beatrice.
Explaining what his type on paper is, Aaron shared: ‘I need someone that is passionate about what they are doing – from scientist to anything – you can tell when someone is speaking about something and they are actually smiling while they are talking. I love that.’
Liberty Poole, 21
Waitress and marketing student Liberty Poole is from Birmingham.
The 21-year-old is looking for a tall, confident, alpha male, but might be persuaded by a ‘nicer guy that is going to treat me right’.
Hugo Hammond, 24
PE teacher Hugo is the first contestant with a disability to appear on the ITV2 dating show, as the 24-year-old was born with clubfoot and underwent lots of operations when he was a child.
‘You can only really tell when I walk barefoot,’ Hugo said. ‘I’ve got a really short achilles heel. I walk slightly on my tip toes.’
Shannon Singh, 22
Shannon from Fife is looking for an ‘exciting hunk with personality’.
The 22-year-old model admits she’s a party girl, loves going out and needs to find someone she can have fun with.
Jake Cornish, 24
Water Engineer Jake Cornish is 24-years-old and has ‘always gone for blondes’ but is heading to Love Island to find some ‘good fun’ after splitting with his ex in lockdown.
‘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,’ he says.
Kaz Kamwi, 26
Kaz Kamwi is a fashion blogger from Essex who is finally ready to be in a relationship: ‘Why not be in a place where people are looking for the same things as me?’ she says.
‘I’m fun, dramatic, spontaneous. Friendly as well. Light-hearted.’
Brad McClelland, 26
Brad McClelland decided to take part in the new series because he wants to date IRL.
But who’s Brad’s type on paper? The labourer from Northumberland revealed that he’s got a crush on former Love Island star Zara McDermott and Megan Fox.
Chloe Burrows, 25
Chloe Burrows is looking for a funny and caring man to sweep her off her feet.
The marketing executive from Bicester wants someone she can depend on and not ditch her.
Toby Aromolaran, 22
Essex lad Toby Aromolaran has never been in a relationship: ‘I thought, “If Love Island can’t find me a relationship then no one can”.’
The sportsman has played football since he was just six and is hoping his optimistic nature will help him secure a partner.
Faye Winter, 26
Lettings Manager Faye Winter says she likes to bring some ‘Selling Sunset’ style glamour to her job and is looking to meet someone in the villa this summer.
‘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.’
Where will Love Island 2021 be filmed?
Like previous seasons, the show will be filmed on the island of Majorca, on a special Covid-secure set.
It will be filmed at a luxurious villa on the outskirts of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar.
Before shooting begins, contestants will be flown out and quarantined, with each contestant having their own chaperone to ensure that they are kept separate from the other islanders.
How long will Love Island be on for?
Despite the show airing a little later than expected this year, Love Island 2021 is still expected to run for the full eight week period as usual.
A source told the MailOnline: ‘Crew members are scheduled to fly out to Majorca on June 20 – with the series expected to launch a week later. The delayed launch date will not have an impact on the length of the series, with the show still running for a duration of eight weeks.’
Who hosts and narrates Love Island?
Love Island will be hosted and narrated by the same dynamic duo who fronted the 2020 winter season – Laura Whitmore and Iain Stirling.
Comedian Iain has been the voice of Love Island since the show re-launched in 2015, whilst Laura took over from the late Caroline Flack as the show’s on-screen host last year.
The Love Island presenting pair are also a couple in real life and have not only tied-the-knot since the last season of the show, but have also welcomed their first child together during lockdown – a baby girl.
How much do Love Island contestants get paid?
Previous reports have suggested that while the cast of the show do get paid while they’re in the villa, it’s not a huge amount.
The money that contestants get paid is to cover rent, bills and other essential costs while they are on the show, as opposed to a fee to actually appear on the series.
According to reports previous contestants have pocketed about £250 a week for their time – a slight increase on 2018 when they were paid £200 a week.
How to vote on Love Island
You can vote for contestants during Love Island 2021 by downloading the Love Island app for iOS (iOS 9+ or later) or Android (Android 4.4.x or later) on your smartphone.
When a new vote has been launched on the show – for example for who stays on the island and who goes in or who gets a treat – a new vote event will automatically appear in the app at the bottom of the screen prompting you to cast a vote.
It’s free to vote via the app. Data charges may apply, please check with your network provider for details.
Who won Love Island last year?
Last year’s summer season of Love Island was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the 2020 season of the show that did go ahead – the Love Island winter series – was won by Paige Turley and Finley Tapp.
A year and a half after being crowned winners of the first ever winter series in South Africa, Paige and Finley are still an item and now live together in Manchester.
Love Island starts at 9pm Monday June 28 on ITV2 and ITV Hub.
MORE : Which Love Island couples are still together?
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