
Our frigid nights are going to get hotter as the return of Winter Love Island approaches.
The hit dating show’s winter 2023 series is officially here, with the first wave of bombshells, bust-ups, bromances, and a brand new host premiering on ITV2 soon.
But when will the next season of Love Island begin, where will it be filmed, who will be on the show, and what else has been disclosed about this intriguing new series?
Here’s everything you need to know.
When will Winter Love Island 2023 start?
Winter Love Island will begin on Monday, January 16 from 9pm, airing on ITV2 and streaming on ITVX.
It’s no surprise that today is Blue Monday, often regarded as the most melancholy day of the year.
A source was quoted as saying: ‘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.’
Love Island will air in the winter for the first time since 2020.
This also implies that the show will be on our televisions most nights for the next four months. What a pleasure!
Where is Winter Love Island 2023 filmed?
The winter stars will forego their traditional Majorcan mansion in favour of a South African one.
Because of its location in the Southern Hemisphere, South Africa has warmer temperatures than the United Kingdom, which means islanders won’t have to swap swimwear for snowboots.
ITV executives stated that the singletons will be moving into a fresh new villa.
According to rumours, the new opulent 17-bedroom pad in the Franschhoek winelands near Cape Town is worth £1.2 million.
The villa, named Ludus Magnus after a Roman gladiator school, is a fitness fan’s dream, complete with an Olympic training pool, 400m running track, cutting-edge rugby field, and zip line.
The 25-acre property also includes access to a private lake with its own Love Island, beach, and palm trees.
The summer series is set to return to Majorca, as usual.
Who’s in the cast?

The lineup for this year’s Winter Love Island has been released.
And, you guessed it, it’s full of 20-something singletons from all across the UK.
Full list of Winter Love Island 2023 contestants
This series’ cast is as follows:
- Haris Namani, a 27-year-old TV salesman from Doncaster
- Olivia Hawkins, a 27-year-old ring girl from Brighton
- Shaq Muhammad, a 24-year-old airport security officer from London
- Tanyel Revan, a 26-year-old hairstylist from London
- Will Young, a 23-year-old farmer from Buckinghamshire
- Anna-May Robey, a 20-year-old payroll administrator from Swansea
- Ron Hall, a 25-year-old financial advisor from Essex – who makes history as the first partially-sighted Islander
- Lana Jenkins, a 25-year-old make-up artist from Luton
- Kai Fagan, a 24-year-old science and PE teacher from Manchester
- Tanya Manhenga, a 23-year-old biomedical science student and influencer from Liverpool
The new participants will face significant changes on the programme as a result of a change in the duty of care, which will involve their social media accounts being dormant while in the villa.
The new regulation prevents participants and loved ones from posting online while filming the show to ‘protect both the Islanders and their families from ‘the detrimental impacts of social media’.
In addition, before entering the villa, the cast will be given advice and training on how to be mutually respectful in relationships, including how to recognise the patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour.
Who will be hosting this series?
In 2023, Maya Jama will take over hosting duties for both new series.
It was reported that the final series of Love Island would be Laura Whitmore’s final as the show’s host, following the terrible death of Caroline Flack.
Laura Whitmore had been the face of the hit show since 2020, but it was announced in August that she will not be returning for another season.
‘Laura has been a terrific host in the previous three series of the show,’ an ITV representative stated after confirming her departure on Instagram.
‘We are so grateful for everything she has brought to the programme but understand and respect her decision, and we look forward to working with her on upcoming ITV projects.’
The revelation sparked speculation over who would take Whitmore’s place, with popular possibilities including former finalists Maura Higgins and Ekin-Su Cülcülolu, comedian Katherine Ryan, actress Emily Atack, and dancer AJ Odudu.
After plenty of speculation on who might take her place, it was made public that Maya Jama would be hosting the show from now on, with Whitmore taking to Instagram to voice her support, saying: ‘Yes girl!! So delighted for you! You’re gonna be fab❤️x.’
An insider had previously said: ‘Maya was ITV’s dream option. She is fun, beautiful and a brilliant presenter.’
Maya has subsequently appeared in two trailers for the show, the second of which was released as the New Year began.
The insider also told The Sun that Jama was ‘discussed’ as a ‘possible replacement’ for Caroline Flack before Whitmore had been chosen two years ago, ‘but now the time is right.’
It is understood that Whitmore’s husband Iain Stirling will continue to provide the show’s iconic comedic voiceover.
When was the last Winter Love Island series and who won it?
Paige Turley and Finn Tapp were the winners of the first and only Winter Love Island, which aired in 2020.
The duo triumphed over Siannise Fudge and Luke T, Luke M and Demi Jones, and Jess and Ched.
Paige and Finn, who are still together, said of the show’s return: ‘Love Island enabled us to find love with someone that without the show, our paths would never have crossed.
‘We both found everything that we’d asked for in a partner in each other and we now live together in Manchester (we’ve been here for almost two years).’
They added: ‘We’ve got a new amazing group of friends and literally couldn’t imagine life without each other.’
Of course, Ekin-Su Cülcülolu and Davide Sanclimenti won the previous series we saw, which aired in summer 2022.
How can you apply for Love Island?
Fancy a trip to a villa surrounded by gorgeous singles? You’d be mad not to.
If you want to take part in a future series of Love Island, applications are open now and you can apply here.
The ad states: ‘ITV2 are looking for vibrant singles from across the UK who want to head to the sun, in search of love.
‘The chosen cast will spend time in a luxury villa, getting to know one another, but to remain in paradise they must win the hearts of the public and their fellow Islanders who ultimately decide their fate on Love Island.’
However, there are a few things to consider before applying.
To enter, you must be 18 or older and have a passport that is less than ten years old and valid for at least six months after the broadcaster’s specified end date.
You must be available for a minimum of 10 weeks and keep ITV informed of any changes to your passport or travel eligibility.
Love Island returns on Monday, January 16 at 9pm on ITV2.