Love Island: Meet the 2023 contestants – including the first partially sighted Islander – Sky News

This year’s winter contestants are set to bring in the heat as they hope to fall in love in the villa. They include a farmer, an actress and a biomedical science student.
By Faiza Saqib, news reporter
Tuesday 10 January 2023 15:46, UK
Love Island 2023 is nearly here and it’s ready to warm up the winter season! The ITV hit dating reality show is due to return to screens on 16 January for its second winter series.
Maya Jama, 28, was unveiled as this year’s host after Laura Whitmore announced her exit.
Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti took home the winner’s crown and the cash prize last season, but who will win the hearts of the nation this year in the villa?
The island will welcome its first partially sighted contestant, alongside a farmer and makeup artist to the stars.
Here are the 2023 Love Island winter contestants:
Tanyel Revan, 26
Tanyel is a hair stylist from north London and believes she is “hard to get”.
Golden Globes red carpet fashion 2023: Margot Robbie, Ana de Armas, Anya Taylor-Joy and more A-list looks from the ceremony
Prince Harry’s memoir Spare is ‘fastest-selling non-fiction book ever’
Cheeky book shop display sits Prince Harry’s Spare next to How To Kill Your Family
She also described herself as “funny, charismatic, good-looking, happy and loyal” and said that her ideal celebrity crush is Hollywood actor Channing Tatum.
Tanyel has made it clear that she does not like “pretty boys” and men she believes have a “crap personality”.
She added: “Channing is manly and he can dance, if a man can dance I’m in love with him straight away.”
Ron Hall, 25
Ron is a financial adviser from Essex and is the first partially sighted contestant on the island.
Ron, who lost his sight in one eye while playing football aged eight, says his injury has never “hindered” him in life.
His eyes have two different colours, blue and green after the accident, which he says has “added to his character”.
He spoke about his injury and said that it has not “hindered” him, but instead, makes a “good conversation starter”.
“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,” he said.
Tanya Manhenga, 22
Tanya is a biomedical science student and influencer from Liverpool.
She hopes to find a boyfriend but does not want to be with someone that doesn’t wear socks in the house or has big feet. She said that these things tend to give her the “ick”.
Tanya also opens up about her vitiligo, “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”.
Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin. It’s caused by the lack of melanin, which is the pigment in skin.
Kai Fagan, 24
A science and PE teacher, Kai plays semi-professional rugby for Burnage RFC and said he is looking for the right girl, as he has “high expectations”.
Discussing commitment in relationships, he adds: “I don’t feel I should commit to someone unless I’m absolutely buzzing over them, because it’s not fair on them.”
He said that friends and family would also describe him as a “chilled” character as well as “caring, very impulsive and a good guy”.
Will Young, 23
Will, a young farmer from Buckinghamshire admitted to finding it difficult juggling relationships while working at the farm and believes he is now mature enough to settle down with a wife.
Taking advice from a girl he once dated, Will said that he now meditates every night for 20 to 25 minutes.
The farmer said he wanted Sir David Attenborough to play him in a movie about his life.
Anna-May Robey, 20
Anna-May, an administrator from Swansea said she is “excited to try something new and I think going on Love Island is a good way to meet someone”.
Looking back on one of her worst dates, she recalls the guy “falling asleep”, while she was speaking to him.
Anna-May said she is on the show as her mum is keen for her to get a boyfriend.
Lana Jenkins, 25
Lana is a makeup artist from Luton and said she has worked with celebrities during her work. She also featured in an episode of the comedy show Benidorm as an extra when she was six.
The makeup artist said she “falls in love easily” and admits to telling people she’s in love with them within a week.
Describing her turn-offs in relationships she said: “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.”
Shaq Muhammad, 24
Shaq is from London and works as an airport security officer.
He said that he hasn’t had the best luck with his previous relationships, which is why he wanted to step into the villa this year.
“Why not be in the sun and potentially meet the love of my life?”, he added.
Read more entertainment news
From Spice Girls to supermodels: All the celebs Prince Harry name-drops in Spare
The Golden Globes are back on TV, but will the stars turn up?
The security officer also admitted to falling in love quickly, and always wearing his heart on his sleeve. He hopes that his experience in the villa will grant him his “future wife”.
As a romantic at heart, Shaq added that 2010 film “Dear John”, starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried, is his favourite film and said every time he watches it, he breaks into tears.
Olivia Hawkins, 27
Olivia, a ring girl and actress from Brighton, has never been in a relationship before, but now feels she is ready to settle down and is hoping to find the love of her life on the island and believes she’ll bring “fun, vibes and a little bit of drama!”.
Speaking about her claim to fame, she spoke about doing a film with Jason Statham and that they had “a nice 10-minute convo about life”.
She was also previously a ring girl for YouTuber and sometime-boxer KSI and a body double for actresses Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson.
Haris Namani, 21
A television salesman from Doncaster, Haris said he has never found love and thinks that the show is the “best opportunity to find the girl and find the right one”.
The 21-year-old believes he’ll bring something different to the villa, “a unique guy, respectful, and not awkward, especially with the girls”.
Haris also added that he has never taken a girl home to meet his parents and siblings.
Love Island returns to ITV2 on Monday 16 January at 9pm.
© 2023 Sky UK

source