It’s that time of year, isn’t it? We’ve had a month to get used to the idea of winter-behind-us (even if it’s only felt that way in fits and starts), and the unofficial high holiday – a kind of inverted Lent for the 2010s – must be on the horizon. We feel it in our bones; the rhythm of the seasons dictates: it must be time for Love Island. Observed reverentially, 5 nights a week for the most orthodox practitioners, June 3rd will see the yearly festive period begin in earnest. Hail Caroline Flack, patron saint of string bikinis and a house full of stir-crazy twenty-somethings.
In the meantime, some tidbits to whet your appetite – while past series have screened contestants for STDs, it was announced that ‘dozens’ of hopeful wannabe Islanders have been cast from the running after failing a surprise drugs test this year. A source told the Star on Sunday that cannabis, ketamine and cocaine all cropped up in urine samples, with the relevant testees refused the chance to continue in execs’ search for the final cast of housemates. In another bid to clean up the show’s naughty reputation, Love Island’s viewer-favourite – reliably excruciating, probably immoral? – lie-detector episode has been cut. Following the suspected suicide of Steve Dymond, a guest on the now-cancelled Jeremy Kyle Show who failed one, Love Island’s production team are doing everything they can to provide a responsible environment for the islanders to flail around in. Following two suicides of former Love Island contestants – Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis, who both took their own lives after battling with depression – the show is offering a more comprehensive support and aftercare package than ever before. Eight mandatory counselling sessions, and 14 months of support, will be on hand to help 2019’s Islanders cope with life in and outside the villa.
READ MORE: Past Love Island couples, where are they now?
Love Island couples - where are they now?
1 of 20Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies (2017 Winners)
Kem and Amber stayed together for four months after they were crowned winners of the show, with Amber even moving in to Kem's family home in Essex. The pair, however, recently split for good following a string of rows and bust-ups, and a clashing of 'hectic work schedules'. They released a statement saying: "we still have a lot of love for each other and will remain good friends." Emosh... looks like Kem wasn't Amber's type on paper after all.
2 of 20Jamie Jewitt and Camilla Thurlow
Jamie and Camilla still remain a couple, and Jamie's even taken trips up to Scotland to meet the fam! The pair have also done a lot of charity work together... cute.
3 of 20Chris Hughes and Olivia Attwood
Chris and Olivia (AKA Barbie and Ken) have been pretty on and off since leaving the villa, with both of them facing cheating rumours. But despite the dramas the couple are still together, and Olivia has even met Chris' beloved cows. P.S you'll be happy to know Cash Hughes is still safe and sound...
4 of 20Marcel Somerville and Gabby Allen
'Power couple' of the series Marcel and Gabby are still as strong as ever. Gabby has recently launched her own fitness app as her latest project, while Marcel is probably somewhere telling someone he used to be a member of Blazin' Squad.
5 of 20Alex Beattie and Montana Brown
Alex and Montana called it a day less than a month after leaving the villa - a mutual decision between the two. They claimed it was 'hard' making it work in the outside world.The pair have since gone their separate ways, with Montana launching her own clothing line, and Alex bagging himself a new girlfriend.
6 of 20Dom Lever and Jessica Sheers
Brace yourselves... Not only did Dom and Jess buy a house together, but they also got ENGAGED just 3 months after leaving the Love Island villa... woahh.
7 of 20Sam Gowland and Georgia Harrison
Sam and Georgia split just a month after the show, despite flying off to Marbella for a holiday together. In a very cryptic tweet, Georgia wrote: 'would like to confirm that myself and Sam are no longer together. Unfortunately for some men one girl isn't always enough'. Awks. Sam is now coupled up with Geordie Shore co-star Chloe Ferry after landing himself a spot on the reality series.
8 of 20Jonny Mitchell and Tyla Carr
Even though Jonny vowed to wait for Tyla when he was dumped from the villa, he instead wasted no time at all and cosied up to fellow islander Chyna Ellis, taking her on a string of romantic dates... including a trip to Budapest. Jonny also dated MIC star Stephanie Pratt but is now single and currently a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother, trying to get rid of his 'love-rat' label.
9 of 20Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde (2016 Winners)
After staying together for nearly a year after the show, the couple decided to call it quits. However, after seven months apart they rekindled their relationship and have just had their first baby together - congrats!
10 of 20Alex Bowen and Olivia Buckland
Alex and Olivia have remained a couple since the minute they left the Love Island villa. The loved-up pair are ENGAGED after Alex popped the question in New York City... the ultimate couple goals.
11 of 20Scott Thomas and Kady McDermott
Kady moved in with Scott straight after leaving the Love Island villa, but the pair called it quits on their on-off relationship at the end of last year. It was rumoured that they weren't getting on at all following 'fiery' rows and have now gone their separate ways...
12 of 20Adam Maxted and Katie Salmon
Although they coupled up as friends rather than a romance, they gave things a go. But shortly after leaving the villa, Adam revealed their split on Twitter with one of his infamous metaphors: "It's like when you're eating a kebab after a night out and the first few bites taste good but then you realise that it really isn't nice at all!"... charming.Adam is now a professional wrestler and has a new girlfriend.
13 of 20Terry Walsh and Emma Woodhams
These two stayed together for eight months after the show before splitting up. Emma rekindled with her childhood love five months after the split and is now pregnant with her first child!
14 of 20Tow Powell and Sophie Bradon
Tom and Sophie tried to make things work after leaving the show, but eventually split after rumours came out that BOTH of them had cheated...Tom has recently been hooking up with Love Island co-star Malin Anderson... (who was also Sophie's friend on the show... awks) while Sophie Gradon got married to Alex Lenco last July.
15 of 20Rykard Jenkins and Rachel Fenton
After being inseparable for nearly 18 months after leaving the villa, Rykard and Rachel split up just a month ago after rumours speculated that Rykard was unfaithful... eye roll
16 of 20Max Morley and Jess Hayes - (2015 Winners)
After Max and Jess won the first series of Love Island, they split just 40 days after the show finished... take it things didn't work out.Both Max and Jess separately appeared on reality series Ex on the Beach. Jess is currently a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother while Max is in a new relationship.
17 of 20Jon Clarke and Hannah Elizabeth
After Jon PROPOSED to Hannah during Love Island, the couple never lasted after the show. Jon has been in relationships since and is now a member of the TOWIE cast.
18 of 20Joshua Ritchie and Lauren Richardson
These two remained friends after the show. Josh has since been on reality series Ex on the Beach and has also been romantically linked to ex Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby.
19 of 20Luis Morrison and Cally Jane Beech
Luis and Cally stayed together after Love Island and had their first child together!
20 of 20Jordan Ring and Zoe Basia Brown
Jordan (AKA Hulk) and Zoe continued their romance after the show but it didn't last very long...
Having banned on-screen smoking in 2018, weeding out illicit substances and promising to ‘strictly monitor […]alcohol consumption’ in this new series, you’ll be relieved to hear that the primary tenet of Love Island’s sex-drugs-and-rock-and-roll triad remains intact. A spokesman for ITV confirmed that sex on screen isn’t off the table, clarifying that ‘We only tend to show moments of intimacy when we feel it is important to the couple’s story’. When isn’t it, amirite? If nothing else, that sounds like a license to reinstate last year’s DBS (Do Bits Society): meeting in session.
