If you're anything like us, then you can't wait for more Love Island to hit our screens - and this winter, it's about to get hot.
After a brief hiatus, Winter Love Island is officially making its return on 16 January 2023. Yep, you heard us - a whole new group of singletons are about to take over our social lives.
The inaugural Winter Love Island took place back in 2019, where Paige Turley and Finley Tapp took home the crown. (Perhaps the most iconic moment in the series, however, was Shaughna Phillips' 'congrats, hun'.)
But despite the many, many laughs it brought our way, the show never made a comeback. With the coronavirus lockdown happening just weeks after the Winter Love Island final, the series was later scrapped by bosses.
But now, they're defrosting the dating show and getting ready to throw some new islanders our way this winter.
Who will host the show?
After host Laura Whitmore stepped down, there's a brand new presenter on the block - none other than Maya Jama.
Although the star previously told Grazia how she keeps her own love life private, she'll be getting a front-row seat to some very public relationships (and no doubt some mega recoupling drama) on the dating show.
And in the eyes of many, Maya strutting into the villa could be the much-needed boost that the show has been after...
She said in a statement, 'I’ve always been such a massive Love Island fan and I’m so excited to be hosting one of the nation’s favourite shows! I can’t wait to get into the Villa to meet all of the Islanders.'
Laura announced last August that she would be bowing out of her presenting role, explaining that she found 'certain elements of the show' 'very difficult'. She replaced Caroline Flack as Love Island's host when she stood down in December 2019. Caroline tragically took her own life aged 40 in February 2020.
In full, Laura penned on Instagram, 'Some news! I won't be hosting the next series of Love Island.
'There are certain elements of the show I've found very difficult that cannot be changed some due to the format, including the flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects. I wish it was still possible but know you'll be in safe hands.
'I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into 3 series. I hope I did you proud Caroline.'
When and where is Love Island filmed?
The winter show always takes place in South Africa – as opposed to the summer location of Majorca – and this year it's no different.
Mike Spencer, Executive Producer at Lifted Entertainment, said 'After eight brilliant series, we are excited to be serving up two helpings of love in 2023 by kicking off in January at a stunning new villa in South Africa. We can look forward to more romances, bromances and everything in between as we embark on another epic year of love.'
It has been reported that the villa features a zip line, a 400m running track as well as football and rugby pitches. And the luxurious facilities have not come cheap, as ITV2 are allegedly coughing up £8000 a day for exclusive use of the property which is thought to be owned by a triathlete couple.
The previous edition of Winter Love Island took place over six weeks. Whilst we don't have exact dates yet, we can imagine it'll be around the same ballpark.
And if those villa withdrawal symptoms are kicking in, you don't have long to wait until your next fix of love. The show is reportedly kicking off on Monday 16 January - meaning there's only a matter of weeks to go.
A source told The Sun, 'Love Island bosses have planned for the show to start on Blue Monday – which is bound to give fans a massive lift on such a gloomy day.
'This year’s contestants will be flown out to South Africa earlier in January and will start filming for the first episode the day before. The grand finale will take place eight weeks later on 13 March.
'The villa is absolutely amazing, Maya is raring to go and this series’ contestants are looking to be the sexiest ever.'
With ITV already confirming the 2023 summer series, we can look forward to a double serving of love, bombshells and drama this year. At this rate, we'll be spending half our year with the islanders - and honestly, we're not mad about it.
Who are the Winter Love Island contestants?
From a farmer to an airport security guard, this years crop are less influencer more regular Joe. You can read all about the new Love Island contestants here.
What is the new duty of care policy on Love Island and why is social media banned?
It has changed quite considerably this year. ITV2 will ban all Islanders' social media activity and will give enhanced training around behaviour in relationships.
In the past, family and friends have taken over the participants' social media profiles to encourage more followers and support, which has often led to cruel trolling. This year, in a bid to protect all involved, the individual's social media accounts will cease activity while they are in the villa.