Sure, we might be in the midst of a heatwave, but for a certain crop of reality TV fans, summer doesn't officially start until we're back in the villa (vicariously, at least). Luckily, Love Island 2026 is about to drop – and we've just received our first round of Islander reveals.
From a detective and a primary school teacher, to a West End performer and a DJ, this year's contestants run the gamut of careers, personalities and dating preferences. The result? An eclectic (and, yes, very attractive) crop of singles ready to heat things up in the Mallorcan sun. But you already know the drill – the show is now in its 13th series, after all. And with Maya Jama at its helm, Love Island is still the only TV show worth leaving a beer garden early for this summer. Besides, you can always make an Aperol at home…
When does Love Island 2026 start?
In less than a week! We'll finally be transported back to the villa on 1st June 2026 at 9pm, on ITV2 and ITVX. Mark your calendars and invite your mates over – this is national event television.
Who's in the Love Island 2026 line-up?
Age: 27
Job: West-End Performer
From: Lincolnshire
Instagram: @ope_sowande
Theatre kid Ope has performed in The Lion King and on Strictly, but when it comes to the villa, he's planning on leaving to the dramatics to other contestants. “I’m not here for the drama and I want to find love, however the drama could be funny,” he says. “I love the ‘watching with a telescope, ooh what’s going on, sip the tea’ kind of vibe.” So, what's his type? “I like shorter girls, I’m really big on hair, good teeth and a nice smile. I prefer Northerners because they’ve got better crack. That’s just a fact. I haven’t really got a type, I honestly just go on energy, vibes and if you find my jokes funny."
Age: 27
Job: Fashion Business Owner
From: Dubai (lives in London)
Instagram: @jasminegmuller
The founder of cool-girl fashion brand Mahila Intimates, Jasmine pulls no punches when describing her dream man: “Objectively hot, really charismatic and confident.” And you know what? Fair. She's equally direct in her approach to dating. When it comes to relationship strategies, Jasmine goes “straight for the goal," she says. “Life’s too short to play it safe, that’s boring. You don’t go on Love Island to play it safe.”
Age: 23
Job: Property Broker
From: Kent
So far, Aidan seems like one of the most earnest contestants on the lineup. “I don’t really see it as competition,” he says. “If someone chooses someone else over me, then it just wasn’t meant to be. I think everything happens for a reason, so I just stay in my own lane and let things play out.” As for the kind of person he'll be on the lookout for, his type is all down to personality. “Obviously, I know if I find someone physically attractive but if we’re not connecting, laughing, and having a good time, it just wouldn’t work for me," he explains. “I like someone who’s fun, can take a joke and doesn’t take themselves too seriously. If we’re constantly laughing and getting on, that’s what matters most.”
Age: 28
Job: Detective
From: Kent
Instagram: @loladealx
A detective in the villa? Let's hope those sleuthing skills lead to Lola finding the love of her life. Ideally, she says, that person would be tall and Italian-looking, with light eyes and dark hair, “even though I always end up with blondes.” There are more requirements, too: “I like someone who is quite big as in a good cuddler, good muscles kind of way," she says. “In a personality, I like someone funny, I think funny goes such a long way. I like someone who is smart who can teach me things. I like book smart but even if they're not book smart I like someone who is like actually teaching me stuff. Someone who does everything for me but I can’t take the piss.” More than anything, she just wants a guy who is head-over-heels for her. “I want to find someone who is actually the love of my life, like obsessed with me kind of thing,” she says. “I think I’m missing someone who is obsessed with me!”
Sam
Age: 25
Job: Electrician
From: Dudley
Instagram: @sam.work
Judging by his Instagram, 25-year-old electrician Sam is all about the jet-set lifestyle, from trips to immaculate beaches to weekends at Coachella. What kind of girl would he like to bring on those adventures with him? “My type on paper would be someone classy, mature, blonde, fun, and someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously,” he says. “I like people who can let their hair down and enjoy themselves.” As for his own approach to dating, expect to see Sam making bold moves in the villa. “I always go after what I want. Life’s too short for games, and I’m very honest about how I feel. When I like someone, I’m the least nonchalant person ever. There’s no messing around.”
Age: 24
Job: Nurse
From: Staffordshire
Angelista is looking for the classic “tall, dark and handsome” combo in a man, but that has to be paired with confidence and nice teeth. Oh, and they also need to be “attentive, someone that is a listener and a doer,” she says. “You can’t just be listening and not doing! Someone that puts actions behind words and is patient.” Preach! The 24-year-old nurse also has a pretty laidback game plan compared to some other contestants. “I’ll put myself in the position to be seen by the guys so they know I’m interested, but I’m not gonna beg it. I’ll be in the mix, 100%, I’m not watching in the back."
Age: 25
Job: Primary School Teacher
From: Galway
Instagram: @fitzy.007
This primary school teacher only has one requirement for a potential love interest: “female!” Moonlighting as a Gaelic football player and occasional model, he's just as brazen when it comes to how he'll approach drama in the villa. “I’m here for love but also here for drama. I won’t be getting involved in it, I might be mixing it!”
Age: 24
Job: Real Estate Videographer
From: West Lothian
Instagram: @ellechadwickk
24-year-old Ellie is another one who's searching for the tall, dark and handsome formula. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It’s a classic for a reason,” she says. Also on her wish list: “Nice teeth, nice tattoos, partial to a blonde as well. Pretty face. Look like you’re going to break my heart, but like, please don’t.” And she's not against playing a tiny bit hard to get. “You can’t go in too keen but you’ve got to make them know you’re interested. But, I also like someone that chases me. They’ve got to come up and meet me at the halfway line. But I will go to the goal if I need to. Offside? Who knows? I guess we’ll see.”
Age: 25
Job: Model
From: Birmingham
Instagram: @samrajtoor
Brummie model Samraj insists he doesn't have a type. “If you look at my history of dating, all girls have been different!” he says. “I like the way a woman carries herself, her mannerisms.” And he won't be put off if said woman has a flair for drama. “Best case scenario I’m walking out with someone I really connect with. My first girlfriend. But I don’t mind a bit of drama, it’s fun! As long as no one is getting hurt.”
Age: 21
Job: Quantity Surveyor and DJ
From: Liverpool
Instagram: @robynlangton.x
Quantity surveyor by day, DJ by night, Scouser Robyn is going into the villa with buckets of confidence. “There’s no competition. Never has been, never will be. I’ll go in there and I’ll definitely get what I want,” she says. So, what exactly does she want? “Tall, fair, muscles, nice teeth, pretty boy. I’m more into personality though. They’ve got to make me laugh, be charming, and have good manners.”
Age: 28
Job: Business Owner
From: Hertfordshire
Instagram: @lorenzoxalessi
Lorenzo's type is usually a blonde and posh, but there's one body part that he's unusually drawn to. “One feature I look at is a girl’s arms, I don’t know why. It’s really strange!” he says. "Imagine like a Jessica Alba or an Angelina Jolie kind of arm and neck, I find that very elegant. Very niche, I know!" And if the arms are good enough, he's more than willing to tolerate a bit of drama. “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…”
Age: 21
Job: Student
From: Barbados (lives in London)
Instagram: @mica_harris
Hailing from the Caribbean, 21-year-old Mica is on the hunt for a man who can match her energy. “Definitely someone that’s tall, I’m tall myself so I like to feel small. I like a little bit of a buffer, a bigger guy,” she says. “The most important thing for me is personality. I just want someone that will make me laugh. I want to get along with someone.” And she's measured in her approach to dating, too. “If I have my eyes set on someone, obviously I’m going to pursue them. But if they’re not reciprocating that then I’m going to take a step back, have a think, and change directions and think about who else I could explore with.”
