THE wait is finally over for fans of Love Island as the show returns tonight following a longer than normal break.

Due to the pandemic, the show has not gone ahead for 18 months but ITV's matchmaking programme is back at 9pm this evennig.

Somerset will be rooting for Jake Cornish, a water engineer from Weston-super-Mare, heading into the villa in Mallorca this year.

Somerset County Gazette:

Jake came out of a seven-year relationship just before lockdown. Talking about the show, the 24-year-old said: “The opportunity is there, you might as well take it by the horns and go for it.”

His fellow islanders include a semi-professional footballer, a model and a luxury event host.

But who will Jake be up against this year? And who are his potential love matches? Here is a look at this year’s contestants.

Shannon Singh

Somerset County Gazette:

Shannon Singh is a 22-year-old model from Fife. She says she is looking for a “solid family life”, adding: “I want kids in five years, I’d love to be a mum by the time I’m 27.”

Sharon Gaffka

Somerset County Gazette:

Civil servant Sharon Gaffka, 25, from Oxford, was previously an operations lead for the Department for Transport. She said she does not want to be the only single person in her social circle, adding: “It’s been a bit of a running joke between my friendship group for a while that I should apply, probably because I’m the most outrageous one out of the group.”

Aaron Francis

Somerset County Gazette:

Luxury events host Aaron Francis, 24, said the world of dating is “a little bit off” at the moment. Francis, who is from London, added: “Everyone’s wearing masks. You can’t really see anyone which makes dating a lot harder.”

Hugo Hammond

Somerset County Gazette:

Love Island presented “an opportunity to have an amazing fun summer and put myself back out there”, according to PE teacher Hugo Hammond, 24, who is from Hampshire. He added: “I’ve been single for a while now. With the current climate, it’s been really hard to get back into dating.”

Liberty Poole

Somerset County Gazette:

Waitress and marketing student Liberty Poole, 21, from Birmingham, said she is a “social butterfly” who loves to meet new people. She added: “I’m a girls’ girl as well so I can’t wait for the girly friendships. It’s going to be fun!”

Kaz Kamwi

Somerset County Gazette:

Fashion blogger Kaz Kamwi said she is ready to be in a relationship. The 26-year-old from Essex added: “Why not be in a place where people are looking for the same things as me?”

Brad McClelland

Somerset County Gazette:

Labourer Brad McClelland said he is looking for a partner who “doesn’t take themselves too seriously”. The 26-year-old from Northumberland added: “I want to date face-to-face, I like meeting people. I’m easy going, laid back. Who wouldn’t want to be in a nice villa in a hot country for a while?”

Chloe Burrows

Somerset County Gazette:

Chloe Burrows, a 25-year-old financial services marketing executive from Bicester, said she is looking for a funny and caring partner. She added: “Because I am quite a big character and quite loud, they would have to be as loud, if not more.”

Toby Aromolaran

Somerset County Gazette:

Semi-professional footballer Toby Aromolaran, 22, from Essex, said he has never been in a relationship. “I thought, ‘If Love Island can’t find me a relationship then no one can,” he added.

Faye Winter

Somerset County Gazette:

Faye Winter is a 26-year-old lettings manager from Devon. “I’d love to meet somebody, what better way to meet somebody than in the sun – amazing,” she said.

:: The new series starts tonight (June 28) at 9pm and airs on ITV2 and the ITV Hub


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