Toniiiighhhhht...
The time is almost upon us. This summer, Love Island is back after almost a year and a half break - and Jesus Christ, are we excited.
The ITV reality TV dating show has been off the air since last January and although we'd do anything to be relaxing by a pool in sunny Spain, watching good looking people do it while searching for the loves of their lives has got to be the next best thing.
So, here's everything we know so far about the return of everybody's favourite reality TV show, Love Island.
When is Love Island starting?
An exact start date for Love Island 2021 has, at the time of writing, yet to be announced. However, reports suggest that the series will return towards the end of June or the beginning of July.
According to Mail Online: "Crew members are scheduled to fly to Majorca on 20th June - with the series expected to launch a week later.
"In 2019, the first episode aired on 3rd June, meaning Love Island will be over three weeks later this year due to current restrictions on overseas travel."
Who are this year's Love Island contestants?
The cast for this year's series has yet to be revealed, but that doesn't mean that haven't been a few rumours as to who is going to be cracking on this summer.
Rumoured for 2021's lineup include boxer Harley Benn, NHS doctor Toluwa Adepeju, model Alexis Bailey, Lucie Donlan's ex James Price, and some others who have actively denied their involvement in the show. But hey, they probably have to say that, right?
As well as this, sources have suggested that this year's contestants are set to be a whole lot more "fluid sexually." Following calls for the series to include more people who identify as LGBTQ+, 2021 may be the first time that a considerable number of contestants are attracted to both men and women.
"This is the first year that finding contestants with more fluid sexuality has been part of the briefing," a source told The Sun.
Who is hosting Love Island this year?
Ireland's own Laura Whitmore will be returning as Love Island host this year.
The presenter, who made her Love Island debut in 2020, teased the return of the series earlier this year. Sharing a selection of clips from the show's first winter series, Whitmore wrote: “I think we could all do with some Love this summer..."
Indeed we could, Laura. Indeed we could.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKuHc0fnDVf/?utm_source=ig_embed
Laura took over Love Island hosting duties from Caroline Flack in 2019 ahead of Flack's court appearance following an assault allegation. The presenter sadly passed away in 2020.
How long will this year's series of Love Island be?
Given the significant break Love Island had, rumours are abound that this summer's instalment is going to be longer than even before.
Although ITV have yet to confirm how many weeks this year's series will run for (and in fairness, they rarely do), there has been some speculation as to when the show will end - and it's looking like it could go on as long as late August.
Similarly, ITV confirmed last year that: “Love Island UK will return bigger and better than ever with an extended run in summer 2021.”
Where is Love Island taking place this year?
The location for this year's show has also yet to be confirmed by ITV, however it is looking likely that Majorca will be back on the cards are per usual.
Earlier this year, reports suggested that producers were scouting some UK locations closer to home, but as Covid restrictions ease, it's looking more likely that contestants and crew will be able to safely fly abroad in June.
Not long now until the summer of love begins...
