It's the final countdown!
Love Island 2022 returns to our screens tonight. Yes, you read that right – tonight.
The time has come for a new batch of sexy singles to enter the villa on a quest for love and a potential array of business deals as and when they exit the Spanish villa.
The hit show is back with a bang after the celebrations of the Queen's Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, and we can't think of a better way to wind down than to listen to Iain Stirling wind up the unwitting cast.
So sit back with a Monday mocktail and turn up the telly; we're absolutely buzzing to hear the Ibiza bumpin' theme tune of the opening titles at 9pm this evening.
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What time does it start and which channel?
The new series kicks off tonight, Monday 6 June, at 9pm on ITV2.
Heaven forbid should you miss an episode (prep that series link way in advance), but you can still get your sun-kissed abs and bikini fix on the ITV Hub straight after the main episode airs.
There will be a recap episode on Saturday and after Sunday's episode, host Laura Whitmore, who recently hit back at critics of her £500k presenter pay check, will present spin-off show, Aftersun.
ITV dropped a surprise teaser trailer during an episode of Britain's Got Talent last month, and eagle-eyed fans have been speculating about possible same-sex couples ever since.
Could this be the year we see same-sex couples introduced in the villa?
A brief clip at the end of the trailer appeared to show two animated men kissing as they float on 'The OG's of love' inflatables.
Kevin Lygo, ITV's commissioner looking after the show, previously said: "In terms of gay Islanders, I think the main challenge is regarding the format of Love Island.
"With our dating shows, such as The Cabins, there is much more sexual diversity. The formats don't have as many restrictions as Love Island.
"So we're very sort of mindful of that across our programming on ITV and dating series. But that's the difficulty with Love Island.”
But, rumour and speculation aside for the moment, what's pretty much 100% ITV's type on paper for episode one will involve bikini-clad girls entering the villa in a slow-motion sequence, and a white Jeep potentially in the mix too.
We also can't be certain, but if anyone wants to place a wager on the popping of some champagne then we'd be happy to take that bet.
Host Laura Whitmore will most likely then line the girls up in the garden of the villa before introducing the boys.
You know what happens next, it's 'couple up' time.
A tried and tested sequence where the girls stand on display as eager (and undoubtedly shirtless) men select their partner from the line-up.
The women do have some semblance of input, as they are given the chance to step forward for the guy they find attractive.
However, there is one whopping difference to this year's series.
It's actually not happening like that. AT ALL.
Narrator Iain Stirling revealed all (ish) during an appearance on Lorraine, admitting that this year will employ a never-before-tried public vote to decide the first couples.
Viewers can get involved by voting on the Love Island app.
Speaking to guest host Christine Lampard, Iain said: "Christine, as you know, I've never given any information ever, but I'm coming at you right now with a big fat exclusive.
"We're mixing things up this year… Can I tell you?
"So basically, this year, for the first year ever, we want you guys at home to play cupid. And you will have your say on which boy couples up with which girl.
"All you have to do is go over to the Love Island app and decide who you want to couple up with who.”
Another twist involves the Love Island villa itself.
The contestants' new home has had a fresh makeover and a completely new look in a move to rural Mallorca, replacing the iconic home in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar.
Islanders will be spending 10 weeks, the longest series yet, around an updated fire pit, a 20 metre swimming pool and six bedrooms.
Scotsman Iain Stirling, who famously makes quips and jibes in the voice-over commentary for Love Island, says he hasn't seen the villa yet.
He likes "to wait and see it on the first day and meet the Islanders for the first time, so I’m like a viewer seeing it for the first time, too. That’s my vibe… Or maybe it’s just me being a little bit lazy."
He added: “I know it’s got a fire pit because I talked about that in the trailer and I imagine if there’s more working out space it’ll be the sexiest series we’ve ever had.
“Every season there have been some absolute blinders – like after Casa Amor when Shaughna told Callum ‘congrats, hun’ after he recoupled with Molly. Or with the ‘who kissed who?’ debacle between Georgia and Jack.
"I’m always confident there will be great moments.”
The line-up for Love Island 2022 is:
- 24 year old paramedic Paige Thorne
- Dami Hope, a Senior Microbiologist from Dublin
- Hotel waitress and fashion model, Indiyah Polack, 23
- 22 year old masters student Liam Llewellyn
- Tasha Ghouri, a model and dancer from North Yorkshire
- Italian business owner Davide Sanclimenti, 27
- Michael Owen's 19 year old daughter Gemma
- Ikenna Ekwonna, 23, who works in Pharmaceutical Sales
- Real Estate Agent Andrew Le Page, 27
- 24 year old Londoner Amber Beckford
- Luca Bish, a 23 year old fishmonger from Brighton
Thought not announced in the official line-up, another rumoured contestant is Turskish actress and influencer Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, and Brad McDermott – the brother of ex-Islander Zara McDermott.
Rugby Super League player Jacques O’Neill is another contestant rumoured to be arriving in the Spanish villa.
Jacques currently plays for the Castleford Tigers in West Yorkshire.
With countless hook-ups, break-ups and bust-ups over the years, no doubt this summer is set to sizzle as the show returns for a brand new series.
Love Island returns tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and the ITV Hub.
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