It’s timeee! If I say 9pm everyday (apart from Saturdays!)… you say? LOVE ISLAND BABY! The time has come where we gather as a nation, 9pm sharp all singing from the same hymn sheet *hums to the Love Island theme tune*, let’s go!
Host Maya Jama has landed in Spain and we're ready to spend the next eight weeks glued to our sofas. If you're too excited to wait for the new season then fear not, you can catch up on the show's ten year special, A Decade of Love, on ITVX**.** Head of reality at ITV said: 'This special offers viewers a chance to relive some of the show's most iconic moments with the Islanders who made them so memorable.'
Since it's the show's 10-year anniversary, we can also expect an extra special season of the regular show... Here's everything we know so far about season 12, including the confirmed starting line-up.
When does Love Island season 12 start?
Season 12 of Love Island starts on Monday 9 June at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. We’re all about to have a new set of hotties to follow on IG as the next Love Island cast prepare to enter the villa.
Where is the villa this time? We don’t know where in Spain exactly, but it’s certainly won’t be in the Isle of Wight as host Maya Jama joked in ITV’s teaser skit, which got us all pumped. She also promised more twists and more drama than ever before.
The official Love Island season 12 line-up...
Sophie Lee, 29
Sophie Lee from Manchester is one of the first islanders to be confirmed for this series of the hit dating show.
The 29-year old will move into the famous Spanish villa for Love Island's twelfth series. Sophie will likely seize every opportunity on the show given that she had a close shave with death when she was 22. She had been working as a fire breather for 18-months when she suffered horrific burns to her face and chest during a freak accident in the US. She was performing at an event in Chicago when the venue's air conditioning blew flames she was expelling from her mouth back into her face, leaving her with serious, life-threatening burns. Sophie has since turned to modelling and influencing and has even written a book about her experience.
You can find out more about Sophie's journey on her Instagram page...
As for what we can expect from her in the villa. Before entering she said: 'I'm the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self.'
When asked who she can see herself coupling up with, she said: 'Someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I'm only finding ones draped in red flags and "do not cross" signs.'
Dejon Noel-Williams
Joining Sophie in the villa is Dejon, who works as a footballer and personal trainer. He is one of this year's nepo babies as his dad Gifton Noel-Williams is a former professional footballer too. Speaking on growing up around the game, he said: 'I've met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I've met David Beckham, he was really nice.'
On Love Island, Dejon is looking for 'someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy'.
Megan Moore, 25
Next up is Megan Moore from Southampton who, surprise, surprise, is already an influencer. When she's not sharing photos of her glamorous lifestyle, Megan works as a payroll specialist.
She is hoping to meet someone 'tall with a nice tan' who has a good fashion sense and a funny personality to match her own. When asked the 'financial state' her love life right now, Megan quipped: '[It's] bankrupt, right now. But we're going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits!'
Tommy Bradley, 22
Tommy Bradley is another guy hoping to win hearts this summer. He hails from Hertfordshire and works as a landscape gardener (so must be used to spending long days in the sun). Tommy has documented his fitness transformation on his Instagram page and has been working out with his boxer brother Jamie.
When asked what he's looking for in the villa, Tommy said: 'A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn't take themselves too seriously.
'I don't know if that's asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven't got a specific type in terms of looks, though.' Whoever Tommy is coupled up with will have to be patient because he 'takes hours' to do his hair.
Alima Gagigo, 22
Representing Scotland this summer is Alima Gagio. She's not all beauty either, Alima has an BA Hons degree in International Business after graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University. Now she works as a wealth management client services executive.
She also loves to travel, sharing regular holiday photos with her 2,250 followers.
Alima said she is looking for a 'a tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That's it'.
As for her go-to chat up lines, Alima said: 'I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I'm originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number. But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don't want to give a guy your number. I'm originally from Guinea Bissau. If they're close and I really fancy them, I'll give them my number anyway.'
Ben Holbrough, 23
Gloucester born model Ben, who is 6ft 2, is likely to be another fan favourite this year. As well as working as a model, Ben has a job as a private hire taxi driver.
'My main line of work is modelling, which I've been doing for about five or six years now,' he said before entering the villa. 'But when I'm not doing that, my hobbies are either going to the gym or playing football.'
Revealing what is ideal type would be, Ben said: 'Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact - they're all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day.
The model admitted he hasn't been that lucky in love so far, as when asked if he was 'bankrupt or booming in love', he said: 'Bankrupt. I'd have been out of business a long time ago. That's exactly why I'm here.'
Helena Ford, 29
Joining the line up this summer is a friend of former islander Zara McDermott, called Helena Ford. Helena works as cabin crew and a travel influencer so she'll be used to hanging out in her bikini. She also has a TikTok account and 4,903 followers on Instagram.
The Londoner's social media account is full of envy-inducing videos from exotic locations including Dubai, Lake Como and Monaco. Describing her ideal type, Helena said: 'Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you'll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed.'
Kyle Ashman, 23
In a shock twist, another islander joining the cast is Kyle Ashman who doesn't seem to have social media. Perhaps he really is there to find love after all! At least his six pack is ready to go.
The 23-year-old Stafford native works as a water operative, but will be swapping the Midlands for Spain for the coming weeks. During his time on the show, Kyle said he is looking for 'someone that's fun, confident and just themselves'. He revealed that his best move is showering ladies with compliments.
Megan Forte Clarke, 24
Someone else joining Love Island is pantomime star and so-called Maura Higgins lookalike who describes herself a 'modern Bridget Jones'.
Megan Forte Clarke from Dublin recently starred as one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, but she's hoping to be a leading lady in season 12. This islander has a unique facial feature that we're likely to learn more about when the show kicks off – a Harry Potter-style lightning scar on her forehead, which she claims was a result of her 'slipping and falling down the stairs'.
The actress already has a decent TikTok following, where she compares herself with our Bridget. She said: 'I am the modern day Bridget Jones. Can I hold a man down? Don't be silly. Have I just been ghosted again? Absolutely. Am I still funny AF with great t*ts? Obvs.'
As for Megan's dream man? 'Someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they're not bad looking, that's always a plus. I love a boy that's a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don't mind scrawny, or a bit of a "dad bod". I'm 5ft1 so any height really.'
Blu Chegini
Construction project manager Blu graduated from Oxford Brookes in 2023 and is about to become a fixture on our screens all summer. Age 26, Blu lives in London and wants to meet someone family orientated with a 'lot of love' to give and receive.
Blu hasn't mentioned a physical type but says 'personality goes a long way' for him. He'll be used to the Spanish sun because he regularly spends time in Marbella on holiday. His secret weapon is that he can charm ladies in two languages. 'She'd fire me, but I've got the charm to smooth things over with a girl,' he said. 'The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting!'
Shakira Khan, 22
Shakira Khan, 22, from Burnley is hoping to meet her match in the iconic villa. Much like her fellow islanders, despite working in marketing, Shakira always seems to be on holiday. Her social media page is full of bikini pics from Haiti, Dubai and New York.
She's looking for someone 'tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny'. Discussing her current love life, she added, 'It's a busy love life but I've not found "the husband". I'm looking for "the one". I'm looking for the ring.'
Harry Cooksley
Last but not least is footballer Harry Cooksley. He plays for Farnham Town as a midfielder and has even been branded 'The Surrey Zidane' by fans.
Harry also works as a gold trader and model, so that ough to get the girls' attention. His dream partner is 'the girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don’t think I’d go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl'.
Something else that's bound to come up about Harry is that he works as a body double for Arsenal and England footballer, Declan Rice. 'So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me,' Harry revealed. 'You’ll never see my face, but you’ll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing.'
Afia Kufuor has worked for Bauer Media since January 2025. She writes for Grazia, heat, Closer, Bella and Yours.