Love Island’s new couples revealed

The ITV2 dating show has returned to South Africa for the first winter series since the coronavirus pandemic.

Biomedical student Tanya Manhenga kicked off the pairing, which chose airport security guard Shaq Muhammad.

Lana Jenkins, a make-up artist from Luton, chose to partner with the show’s first visually impaired contestant, Ron Hall.

After pairing and re-pairing several times, Kai Fagan, a physical education and science teacher from Manchester, ended up with Tanyel Revan, a hairdresser from north London,

Anna-May Robey, a payroll administrator from Swansea, was eventually linked with television salesman Haris Namani, from Doncaster, who said ‘no girl has ever turned me down’ but admitted he doesn’t had never been in love.

The two remaining islanders – actress Olivia Hawkins, who initially chose to partner with Kai, and farmer and TikTok star Will Young – formed the final couple.

Olivia initially seemed unimpressed when Will revealed he had another girl’s initial tattooed on his ankle.

” Why are you telling me this ? You should have lied!” she said.

During the first episode of the new series, viewers saw Maya Jama take over hosting duties after Laura Whitmore announced she was stepping down from her role last year.

Jama, 28, suggested she had struggled in her past relationships on the launch show.

The TV and radio presenter told the 10 new contestants: ‘Remember, finding your perfect match is never that easy – believe me, I know it.’

Jama split from ex-boyfriend Stormzy in the summer of 2019 after more than four years together and later had a relationship with American basketball player Ben Simmons.

After entering the villa, she questioned the male islanders to find out what they expected from the girls.

Asked about her type, Shaq said: “I’m looking for more personality and vibe, but she definitely has to be funny – funny is top of the list, I love that.”

Haris revealed he had never been in a relationship and Kai said he was “looking for a wife”.

After the arrival of the female islanders and the initial pairing, the contestants began to get to know each other before being shocked to discover the audience had voted for the series’ first bombshell.

After the public vote, Ellie Spence, 25, business development manager from Norwich, or Tom Clare, 23, semi-professional footballer from Barnsley, will enter the villa to shake things up.

New additions also include Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson and Indiyah Polack, who was a finalist on the show last year, joining as regular panelists on Love Island’s Aftersun programme.

Love Island airs at 9 p.m. on ITV2 and ITVX.