Love Island: All Stars returned our screens yesterday, Monday, January 13, for a second season, bringing back 12 iconic islanders from season two through to eleven. In sunny South Africa, host Maya Jama welcomed the cast, some of who already knew each other from previous seasons, and kicked things off in the villa with a brutal challenge.
In the challenge the girls had to give the guys ‘red flags’, and it brought about some heated moments, especially after Elma Pazar gave hers to Marcel Sommerville for “being a cheater”. Marcel cheated on his ex Gabby Allen, who he came fourth with in Love Island season three. To Marcel and Gabby’s shock, they are both in this season of Love Island: All Stars.
Olivia Hawkins gave her red card to Ronnie Vint after sharing that whilst he was in a relationship with Love Island co-star Harriett Blackmore, he had messaged her on Instagram. During the beginning of the episode, Olivia revealed that Ronnie had secretly messaged her before splitting from Harriett last year.
Bristolian star Maya revealed that the first coupling would be decided by public vote, here are the list of couples at the end of episode one:
- Kaz and Curtis
- India and Scott
- Catherine and Nas
- Olivia and Luca
- Elma and Ronnie
- Gabby and Marcel
The couplings caused a big reaction for viewers, especially when exes Gabby and Marcel were reunited. “Putting Gabby and Marcel on the same season is actually diabolical”, one user wrote on X.
Another said, “the public are actually evil for voting Marcel and Gabby to couple up.”
“Nahhh Marcel and Gabby??? How could the public do this…so wrong…” read a further comment.
But it wasn’t long until the show shook things up, with the arrival of the first bombshell of the series taking place at the end of the episode.
Season eight winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu was revealed to be as the first bombshell, the cast were told she would have a day to decide which boy she would steal after she had three dates in the Secret Garden.
Ekin-Su said on her arrival to the villa that she wanted to “return to Love Island again because it’s where my journey started and has a special place in my heart”.
“It’s somewhere I’ve laughed, cried and learnt so much. The fact that there’s an opportunity to do it again – why not. Why can’t a winner go back in and rewrite her story and have a second chance. I think you should follow your gut and my gut is telling me to go back, so I’m listening to it.”
Love Island: All Stars airs Sunday to Thursday on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm