Love Island is back to heat up our winter with a brand new cast of contestants heading into the villa. 

The ITV dating show returns for the second instalment of its winter spin-off in South Africa after the series was delayed due to the Covid pandemic.

A new group of singles will be heading to the sun to brighten up the wintry nights back here in the UK from Monday, January 16. 

New host Maya Jama will front the new series, encouraging the islanders to "grab love by the horns" and couple up for a winter of love. 

Meet the 2023 Love Island cast

Who is Love Island contestant Haris Namani?

Doncaster's own Haris Namani is a 21-year-old TV salesman.

Ahead of his appearance on the Winter series, Namani revealed to ITV that he has “never found love” and that he hopes entering the villa will help him find the “right one”.

He added: “I’ve never taken a girl home, I’m not going to say I’ve fallen in love until I’ve taken them to meet my mum and dad or sisters and brother. ”

Namani also said he is a “unique guy” who is “confident, not awkward, especially with the girls” and “respectful”.

Who is Love Island contestant Olivia Hawkins?

No stranger to the spotlight, actress Olivia Hawkins, 27, has starred in a James Bond film opposite 007 himself, Daniel Craig. 

The ring girl for rapper KSI's fights has even been a body double for Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson.

She added: “I did a film with Jason Statham and had a nice 10-minute convo about life.”

The Brighton star has shared that she hopes to settle down and find “the love” of her life as she promises a “little drama” on the show.

READ MORE: Watch the new Love Island trailer ahead of Winter series in South Africa

READ MORE: Love Island 2023 to see major shakeup in show rules as further duty of care announced

Who is Love Island contestant Shaq Muhammad?

Airport security officer Muhammad, 24, is jetting off to join the islanders in the South African villa this year.

The London boy has admitted that he has been hopeless in love in the past, so he decided to go on the show to meet his wife in the villa.

Muhammad added: “I’m the type of person that wears my heart on my sleeve. If I find someone I click with, I fall very hard, very fast. Sometimes that can be a bad thing.”

His favourite film is the romantic drama Dear John, starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried, which always makes him cry.

Who is Love Island contestant Tanyel Revan?

The 26-year-old hair stylist from North London said she is “hard to get, funny, charismatic, good-looking, happy and loyal”.

Her celebrity crush is Magic Mike actor Channing Tatum because she does not like “pretty boys” as they have a “crap personality” which gives her “the ick”.

“(Channing is) manly and he can dance,” Revan added.

“If a man can dance I’m in love with him straight away.”

Who is Love Island contestant Will Young?

23-year-old farmer, Will Young, thinks he's now “mature enough” to settle down with a wife after finding it “difficult juggling relationships” while working at the farm.

The Buckinghamshire lad shared that he meditates “every night” for 20 to 25 minutes after a girl he was dating told him to start.

Young also added that his claim to fame is that BBC presenter Claudia Winkleman came to his farm and spilt water on him.

Who is Love Island contestant Anna-May Robey?

Payroll Administrator, Anna-May Robey is swapping the office for sunshine this January.

The 20-year-old Swansea girl explained that she is on the show as her mother keeps “bugging” her to get a boyfriend.

The self-described chatterbox added: “I’m just excited to try something new and I think going on Love Island is a good way to meet someone.”

Robey also shared her worst date experience which involved a guy “falling asleep” when she was speaking to him for her only to wake him up by clinking his wine glass.

Who is Love Island contestant Ron Hall?

Essex lad Ron, 25, is a financial adviser who thinks he'll bring "fun and charisma" into the villa.

Speaking to ITV, Hall explained that he has two different eye colours, blue and green after an accident which he thinks has “added to his character”.

He added that the injury has not “hindered” him and makes for a “good conversation starter”.

He also said: “I’m the most genuine person you’ll meet. I’m genuine, caring and I’m a nice person – which you don’t find these days.”

Who is Love Island contestant Lana Jenkins?

The 25-year-old, from Luton, said she “falls in love” easily and probably tells people she loves them within a week.

Jenkins added: “I don’t mind people texting me all the time but if you send me question marks if I’ve not replied to you in a while, you’re gone. That’s a really big red flag for me! Also if I see a guy trip over, that’s an instant turn-off.”

Jenkins says she has worked with celebrities for her job as a make-up artist and was in an episode of the comedy show Benidorm as an extra when she lived in Spain when she was six.

Who is Love Island contestant Kai Fagan?

Fagan, 24, from Manchester, said he is looking for the right girl and has “quite high expectations”.

The science and PE teacher, who plays semi-professional rugby for Burnage RFC, added: “I don’t feel I should commit to someone unless I’m absolutely buzzing over them, because it’s not fair on them.”

The Jamaican citizen added friends and family, who he said he always puts first, describe him as “chilled, caring, very impulsive and a good guy”.

Who is Love Island contestant Tanya Manhenga?

The 22-year-old, student of biomedical science and an influencer, is looking to find a boyfriend but not one that does not wear socks in the house or has big feet because that gives her “the ick”.

Manhenga, from Liverpool, who has vitiligo, added that her skin pigmentation is on her lip and there is a stripe in her hair.

She said: “Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute. I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe.”

All the Winter Love Island 2023 contestants confirmed by ITV

Here are the ten Love Island contestants confirmed by ITV ahead of the 2023 Winter series.

You can learn more about them in the profiles below:

Love Island returns on Monday January 16 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.