Love Island returned to our screens on ITV2 on Monday night – and this time the new batch of sexy singletons got to pick who to couple up with themselves right off the bat instead of a public vote deciding.
The new series kicked off at night for the very first time, with host Maya Jama making an immediate entrance as the Islanders headed into the villa for an exclusive welcome party under the stars.
Viewers watched Aidan, Mica, Lorenzo, Samraj, Robyn, Lola, Angelista, Ope, Jasmine, Sean, Ellie and Sam start getting to know each other.
They then played an Ice Breaker round to get to know each other where they were asked who they fancied the most, who were their types and if they had seen any red flag behaviour yet.
Soon Maya said the Islanders got to choose who to couple up with themselves rather than the public voting. If multiple people were interested in the same person – they had to work it out themselves.
As they made their minds up between themselves, Mica picked Samraj, Lorenzo picked Jasmine, Aidan picked Ellie, Angelista picked Ope, Sean picked Lola and Sam was left with Robyn.
Love Island returned to our screens on ITV2 on Monday night – and this time they got to pick who to couple up with themselves right off the bat instead of a public vote deciding
The new series kicked off at night for the very first time, with host Maya Jama making an immediate entrance as the Islanders headed into the villa for an exclusive welcome party under the stars
Elsewhere Jasmine was quick to ruffle feathers just minutes after arriving at the villa, as she launched a brutal takedown of the boys who were meant to catch her eye.
The fashion business owner, 27, is no stranger to high-profile romances, having previously dated Arsenal player Héctor Bellerín in 2021.
And she didn’t shy away from sharing her thoughts on the boys who had entered the villa, leading some viewers to compare her to fellow villa siren Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.
During the icebreaker, Jasmine spoke out on which boys she thought were red flags.
She said: ‘I’m not obsessed with you three not drinking on that first question.
‘That no one here’s your type, there’s so many beautiful women here!’
Ope hit back: ‘We just don’t know yet!’ but Jasmine insisted: ‘You don’t need to know, look!’
Fans lauded Jasmine’s comments, writing on X: ‘Jasmine clocking the boys already omg I like her already;’
‘Oh Jasmine is giving me Amber + Ekin-Su vibes we have the leader of the group;’
‘Jasmine is so real because what do you mean none of these beautiful women are your type?;’
‘Obsessed with Jasmine having the whole gang gagged;’
‘Jasmine clocking them!! I just know I’m gonna love her;’
Jasmine previously told how she enjoyed a ‘healthy and lovely’ romance with Bellerin.
Viewers watched Aidan, Mica, Lorenzo, Samraj, Robyn, Lola, Angelista, Ope, Jasmine, Sean, Ellie and Sam start getting to know each other
This year, the villa has also been given a multi-million-pound revamp, and is filled with designer goods and more beds than ever before, making room for more bombshells to shake things up.
Islanders will be filmed for the next eight weeks and live in very close quarters, which is sure to cause tension among the new singletons.
The villa is located in the middle of nowhere, with single-track roads leading up to the front gate, which is guarded by security to keep trespassers out.
Upon arrival, the islanders strode along a wooden walkway through a giant chrome heart to enter their new home, where they will have access to an array of designer clothes and their choice of double bed, which will be shared on the first night with their new partner.
Speaking to the Daily Mail from the Mallorca villa, producers Amanda Stavri and Lewis Evans said: ‘There are more beds, and with more beds comes more bombshells!’
And if contestants hit it off and are looking for some alone time away from their fellow islanders – but still very much on camera – to spice up their romance, they can head to the glamorous hideaway.
It has been given a fresh makeover, with baby pink and teal walls, gold accessories, and its own outdoor terrace with a sexy swing and plunge pool, perfect for romantic dates.
TV producers will fill the Hideaway wardrobes with sex toys and lingerie, guaranteeing saucy action beneath the sheets.
Love Island has collaborated with eBay again as the series sponsor to fight against fast fashion and provide the contestants with pre-loved clothing.
And inside the bright blue dressing room is an impressive wardrobe, with Prada, Dior and Louis Vuitton handbags, as well as stylish heels and trainers.
This leads to their beautifying boudoir, where Islanders get glam with the help of luxury hairdryers and an endless supply of makeup products.
Elsewhere, the garden has received quite the makeover, with the famous fire pit painted blue for the new series.
The rest of the Islanders’ summer home followed a pink and green theme, with the kitchen and lounging area ready to go.
The freezer is already stocked up with Solero ice cream, which recently collaborated with host Maya, while the fridge has been stocked up with American soft drink brand Poppi.
The iconic villa has undergone many changes throughout the years and has always been based in Mallorca.
Soon Maya said the Islanders got to choose who to couple up with themselves rather than the public voting (Mica and Jasmine seen)
Elsewhere Jasmine was quick to ruffle feathers just minutes after arriving at the villa, as she launched a brutal takedown of the boys who were meant to catch her eye
The original Love Island villa, which was used for the first two series, was situated in Santanyi, Mallorca.
And the five-bedroom villa was snapped up by a mystery buyer in March 2022.
The subsequent villa, which is still now used for shows, is located in Mallorca, in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, which is on the east coast of the island.
The villa underwent huge renovations after filming concluded for the 2022 series, and in 2024 a secret new Hideaway was revealed, which requires ‘no invite’.
It also boasts a 20m swimming pool, plush sun loungers, day beds and the famous fire pit.
There is also the famous terrace where secret chats usually take place, although this year the fencing around it has been made shorter and smaller, making it easier for the other islanders to spot what’s going on up there.
Fans of the show can even book their very own stay at the villa – but it will not come cheap.
A one-week holiday would set you back around £5,000, but anyone booking the property will have access to six bedrooms.
The dating show returned on Monday, June 1, with a fresh batch of hopeful singles looking to find their type on paper.
Maya, who has just finished filming The Celebrity Traitors, will return to host the series, and she has promised viewers there will be even more twists this year.
Love Island continues on Tuesday night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
LOVE ISLAND 2026: MEET THE ISLANDERS
Jasmine
Age: 27
Job: Fashion Business Owner
From: Dubai (lives in London)
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘Respectfully, what competition?’
Aidan
Age: 23
Job: Property Broker
From: Kent
His type on paper: ‘I wouldn’t say I have a strict type on paper. Personality is the most important thing for me.’
Lorenzo
Age: 28
Job: Business Owner
From: Hertfordshire
Are you here for the drama, or is finding love your only goal? ‘I think drama is fun! As long as no one is crying, all is fair in love and war. It’ll be interesting to see what unfolds…’
Sam
Age: 25
Job: Electrician
From: Dudley
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘I’ve never really had to compete before, so it’ll be interesting. I know what I bring to the table, and I’m confident in what I have to offer.’
Samraj
Age: 25
Job: Model
From: Birmingham
What’s your relationship strategy? Go straight for the goal or play it safe? ‘Without sounding arrogant, in the outside world I don’t really chase that much, I’m used to girls coming to me.’
Sean
Age: 25
Job: Primary School Teacher
From: Galway
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘If I see someone I like, I’m going for it and nothing’s gonna stop me.’
Ope
Age: 27
Job: West-End Performer
From: Lincolnshire
How do you handle the competition? ‘No one phases me. I’m so confident in my ability to just do my thing. I don’t get phased, I don’t get impersonated, I don’t get threatened.’
Mica
Age: 21
Job: Student
From: Barbados (lives in London)
Are you here for the drama, or is finding love your only goal? ‘I’ll dabble in both I feel. Obviously the whole point is finding love and that’s going to be my main goal. I’m not saying I’m going to start drama but if there is drama going on, I would obviously be a little bit nosey and want to know what’s going on.’
Lola
Age: 28
Job: Detective
From: Kent
If VAR reviewed your flirting game, what foul would earn you a red card? ‘I can be a bit of a brat, I get really hangry! If you just feed me, I’ll be alright.’
Angelista
Age: 24
Job: Nurse
From: Staffordshire
What kind of person are you hoping doesn’t walk through the villa door? ‘Someone who wants to be in everyone’s face all the time, centre of attention all the time, that’s an ick! Someone that’s obnoxious I don’t like.’
Ellie
Age: 24
Job: Real Estate Videographer
From: West Lothian
Her type on paper: ‘Simple… tall, dark and handsome. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It’s a classic for a reason. Nice teeth, nice tattoos, partial to a blonde as well.’
Robyn
Age: 21
Job: Quantity Surveyor and DJ
From: Liverpool
In your love life to date, have you been a World Cup winner or knocked out in the first round? ‘I just feel like the right person hasn’t come yet. That’s the only reason I haven’t qualified, not because I can’t.
