Irish lad heading to Love Island villa as contestants are announced

Ellen Fitzpatrick

They’re here.

Rumours have been swirling around the internet for the last few days over who may or may not be appearing in this year’s Love Island villa.

But now, we don’t have to wonder anymore as the contestants have been announced on Instagram this morning.

The first two of the islanders were announced, with Irish lad Dami Hope making it onto the roster.

Posting a snap of the Irishman, the post read: “Will charming Irish lad Dami be lucky in love?”

Dami is a 26 year old Microbiologist from Dublin who is more than just his good looks.

Speaking ahead of entering the villa, Dami said: “When I’m actually in a relationship, I think it’s a star sign thing, I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. If they had something they wanted to do or something they were passionate about, I’d make sure that even if it’s something I’m not talented at I’d get talented at it just so it helps them. I’m really good at being in a team and actually looking after each other.

“This year I was kind of being more open to new things and I think actually that’s why I put myself out there to get some new experiences. Love Island is a different experience, I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some, might go well with others, so it’s a fun experience.”

Joining Dami is Welsh paramedic Paige Thorne who is “no stranger to getting hearts beating.”

“In Swansea there is just no-one I can find, I’ve tried and there’s just nobody there anymore,” the 24 year old said.

“I need to break out and broaden my horizons and Love Island just brings everyone together for me. I haven’t got to go out and I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!”

Hotel waitress Indiyah Polack, who is set to “check in” for the summer on this year’s competition, is also heading into the villa.

The 23 year old is hoping to bring “flavour” to the villa as she’s already turning a few heads.

She said: “I feel like I’m going to bring a lot of flavour and vibrancy. I feel like I’m quite a down to earth person, so it shouldn’t be an issue to meet a lover or a friend.”

We’ve got another Welsh Liam heading into the villa this year as the student is heading to the “university of love.”

The 22 year old said student said: “I wear my heart on my sleeve, I can’t hide how I feel about anyone. I’m probably quite emotional as well, come to think about it.”

When it comes to turning heads, he added: “If I can see two people who are absolutely made for each other, I’m not going to try and ruin it for them. If I’m better suited to that person, then yeah, happily, no problem at all!”

After being rumoured all weekend, Love Island has officially confirmed the first ever deaf contestant is heading into the villa.

Tasha Ghouri, a 23 year old dancer, is set to be the first ever deaf contestant, wearing a cochlear implant which helps with her hearing loss.

Speaking ahead of her time in looking for love, Tasha said: “I was in articles worldwide last year, because I was modelling for a brand and my [cochlear] implant went viral on Twitter.

“I’m the type of person to put others before me.”

Next on the roster for this year’s show is Italy’s very own Davide Sanclimenti and from the first look, it doesn’t look like he’ll have much trouble finding a couple in this villa.

Ahead of the show, the 27 year old said: “I want to find my soulmate, find my person, so I can actually build something in the future.”

After moving to Manchester and finding a love for English girls but is looking for something more, adding: “They love to be around me and I love to be around them. If I receive nothing back, no feedback or appreciation, I will lose interest in that person.”

Next up is Gemma Owen, an international dressage rider from Chester and she’s ready to get competitive for the man she wants.

The 19 year old said: “I would say I’m very competitive. [When it comes to relationships] I will always go for what I want.”

Gemma’s family and friends describe her as “very honest and a bit stubborn, straight up and a bit fiery” and she as once taken on a date to Paris, so she is guaranteed to have some high expectations.

Ikenna is next up and he’s a six foot five pharmaceutical sales specialist. The 23 year old is all about bringing spontaneity and meeting new people this summer.

He said he’s “at the age where I could find someone” and “if someone steps on my toes, I’m effectively allowed to do the same.”

Andrew is up next and the 27 year old is an international real estate agent, and after a recent move to Dubai, he sounds like he’s living a real life episode of Selling Sunset.

He said: “I like going on dates, but I definitely prefer being in a relationship.

“I’d just go up to them [girls], chat, be confident and just get to know them.”

Then there’s Amber, a 24 year old nanny from London who is swapping a summer of child minding for a summer of love.

Amber’s friends and family describe her as a “wild child”, and “fun, outspoken, crazy”, but don’t get on her bad side, because has “patience with kids, but adults, they annoy me!”

Luca Bish is up next, a fishmonger from Brighton looking for his catch in the villa.

The 23 year old said: “I prefer to meet girls out and about. I think when you go looking for it, it’s not as easy though, it’s like you’re too desperate for it. If I think you’re the one or I like you, I’ll take you out on a date but other than that, if we talk and I don’t like where it’s going – then I won’t be throwing out dates.

“When you actually look back at Love Island, you can see how many couples it’s genuinely made. I don’t know how many kids Love Island has made but there are a few aren’t there?”

Love Island returns to our screens on June 6th on Virgin Media Two.