THE cast of this summer’s Love Island have officially settled into the famous ITV2 villa and coupled up for the first time.

But for the first time in four years, the decision of who coupled up with who wasn’t down to the public, but the islanders themselves.

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As Love Island kicked off its brand new season tonight, the show’s first six couples have been confirmedCredit: ITV
 

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For the first time in four years, the islanders got to choose who to couple up with – rather than the decision being down to the publicCredit: ITV
While the original Love Island format saw islanders step forward for who they are attracted to and choose who they’d like to be in a couple with, recent years have seen the decision come down to the public.

But for the first time since 2022, the islanders got to decide who they’d like to be with.

And before they got down to business, host Maya Jama asked: “Are you gonna play it safe, or will you step outside of your comfort zone for the right person?”

Things didn’t quite go smoothly, with multiple islanders vying for the same partners as they deliberated over the couples.

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In previous seasons, the islanders have entered the villa in swimwear and have been coupled up by the publicCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

LOVE ISLAND 2026

The cast for this year’s Love Island is as follows:

Aidan, 23, property broker from Kent – he said: “Personality is the most important thing for me. I like someone who’s fun, can take a joke and doesn’t take themselves too seriously. If we’re constantly laughing and getting on, that’s what matters most.”

Robyn, 21, quantity surveyor and DJ from Liverpool – she said: “Finding love is my only goal. There may be a little bit of drama but I’m going in there for myself so I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do.”

Mica, 21, student from Barbados (lives in London) – she said: “Definitely someone that’s tall, I’m tall myself so I like to feel small. The most important thing for me is personality. I just want someone that will make me laugh.”

Lorenzo, 28, business owner from Hertfordshire – he said: “It’s a major turn off when someone doesn’t have manners. I like a little bit of high maintenance when it’s done in the right way but if someone is rude with it… I’d find that quite irritating.”

Sean, 25, primary school teacher from Galway – he said: “I’m here for love but also here for drama. I won’t be getting involved in it, I might be mixing it!”

Ellie, 24, real estate videographer from West Lothian – she said: “There’s nothing else I can do than be me. People love me and if they don’t then they’re clearly not okay. We’re all there for one reason, but I’m going to get my win.”

Samraj, 25, model from Birmingham – he said: “Without sounding arrogant, in the outside world I don’t really chase that much, I’m used to girls coming to me. In the beginning I’m not going to be pushing myself out there, I’m just gonna watch and see who I like.”

Lola, 28, detective from Kent – she said: “I like tall, Italian looking. Dark hair normally, even though I always end up with blondes! I like someone who is quite big as in a good cuddler.”

Angelista, 24, nurse from Staffordshire – she said: “I’ll put myself in the position to be seen by the guys so they know I’m interested, but I’m not gonna beg it. I’ll be in the mix, 100%, I’m not watching in the back.”

Samuel, 25, electrician from Dudley – he said: “I’d say I can be too nice sometimes. In the past, I’ve gone on a few dates with someone, realised I wasn’t feeling it anymore, but avoided saying anything because I didn’t want to hurt them.”

Ope, 27, West End performer from Lincolnshire – he said: “I like shorter girls, I’m really big on hair, good teeth and a nice smile. I prefer Northerners because they’ve got better crack. I honestly just go on energy, vibes and if you find my jokes funny.”

Jasmine, 27, fashion business owner from Dubai (lives in London) – she said: “An insecure man. Honestly, how would he deal with me? I pick up on insecurity straight away, and it just wouldn’t end well.”

The first couple of Love Island 2026 is 21-year-old student Mica and model Samraj, 25.

Next up, hunky business owner Lorenzo, 28, coupled up with stunning brunette Jasmine, a 27-year-old fashion business owner.

Scottish blonde Ellie, 24, is coupled up with tatted Kent lad Aidan, 23, who wasted no time in asking her for a smooch.

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Samraj and Mica were the first pair to be coupled up
 

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Jasmine and Lorenzo chose each other next
While West End performer Ope, 27, opted to couple up with beautiful nurse Angelista, 24.

Brunette detective Lola, 28, is already investigating her partner Sean, a 25-year-old teacher from Galway.

And the last couple of this year’s Love Island original line up is Robyn and Sam, with the blonde electrician, 25, opening up to his new partner Robyn, 21, early on by telling her that he is hard of hearing and wears hearing aids.

With a string of twists and turns expected throughout the new series, the first episode already began looking very different to previous seasons.

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Aidan and Ellie were paired up next
 

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Ope and Angelista were happy with their choice
 

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Lola made a beeline for Sean
 

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Robyn was left with Sam at the end
And it wasn’t just the fact that the islanders got to choose their partners again that was different, as they also arrived at night for the first time ever.

The islanders usually arrive bikini-clad to the villa in the daytime sun, but this time they looked glamorous and ready for a night out as they settled in.

And with that only being the first twist of the series, there’s set to be plenty more where it came from during this long, hot summer of love.

Love Island continued tomorrow at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX