The new Love Island line-up has been revealed a week before the new series starts and fans took to social media to reveal their disappointment over the lack of diversity.
Out of 12 contestants revealed so far, there are only three non-white people that will be starring on the show.
The lack of diversity has been a criticism of the show since its inception, although last year was the exception to the rule,
Love Island fans praised the 2023 series because seven out of the 12 contestants from non-white backgrounds
Moreover, Kai and Sanam became the show’s first winning couple of colour and are now engaged to be married – but it seems representation has not been so considered for the 2024 series.
Love Island fans have branded the show ‘a joke’ for lack of diversity – as line-up was revealed on Monday with only three non-white people out of 12 contestants, (pictured: Samantha Kenny)
Fans are really disappointment about the lack of diversity after the last series was won by the first couple of colour – but it seems representation has not been so carefully considerd this year (Pictured: Ronnie Vint)
Kai and Sanan won Love Island in March 2023 and were the show’s first winning couple of colour
Yet this year, it seems diversity hasn’t been considered as carefully – and it’s not just race. Only one contestant is disabled and no-one is plus-sized.
After the line-up was released, fans wrote on Twitter: ‘1 BW and 1 BM that’s diversity with the Uk love island and this is why it is hard to get through the UK version lol I can’t.’
‘Such hypocrites @itv. No sign of diversity when it’s come to @LoveIsland. #loveisland Absolute joke show and joke Channel. Wake up!’
‘Love island is back with their lack of diversity.’
‘Lol love island said we still don’t gaf about diversity.’
‘Love island be like: here is one surgeried white lady cloned 4 times, the most beautiful black woman youve ever seen in your life, and then just….. some men.’
‘Don’t get excited when I see a black woman on love island anymore cause it’s always the same storyline.’
The first singletons looking for love have been revealed as makeup artist Samantha Kenny, recruitment manager Munveer Jabbal, account manager Nicole Samuela and semi professional footballer, Ronnie Vint.
Office administrator, Patsy Field, surveyor Ciaran Davies, mental health nurse, Mimii Ngulube, hair stylist Sam Taylor, retail manager, Jess White, model Ayo Odukoya and dancer and personal shopper, Harriett Blackmore and sweet salesman Sean Stone.
Munveer Jabbal (right) hails from Surbiton but is one of only three non-white contestants on this year’s series
Mimii Ngulube is a mental health nurse and is the only black female contestant in the line-up
Model Ayo Odukoya is the only black male to be announced as part of show so far
Fans took to Twitter/X straight away to weigh in on the lack of diversity
Patsy Field is the only contestant with a disability to join the lineup – she has Erb’s palsy – the condition means her right arm is shorter in length and unable to function as well as her left – there are no plus sized contestants so far this year
Samantha, 26, is from Liverpool and works in a beauty salon, while regularly keeping her 4000 Instagram followers up-to-date by sharing bikini-clad pictures.
And the scouse stunner has already begun to show some prowess as an influencer, with a handful of deals with several brands under her belt.
Speaking about why she has decided to sign up for the show, Samantha said: ‘I’m ready to settle down and Love Island is an amazing opportunity to meet someone that isn’t from my area. I love a cockney boy so I’m hoping there is one in there for me.’
She believes that she has a lot to bring to show, admitting she can be fiery and potentially bring some drama.
She said: ‘I think I will definitely bring some fire, I’m very opinionated and wear my heart on my sleeve.
‘I’m really bubbly too so I’ll definitely have a laugh as well as bringing some scouse glamour.’
Samantha blamed her lack of romance on not going out enough in Liverpool, as she works weekends and revealed her type on paper.
She added: ‘If I want a night out I go down to London as I love the boys down south. Tall, dark and cockney is my type.’
Meanwhile, Munveer, 30, from Surbiton, has also struggled to find love in the capital, admitting that he can be ‘quite picky’ when choosing a partner.
He said: ‘I haven’t found the right girl, I’m quite picky and have high standards. Dating in London is horrible.
‘You don’t know who’s single… but now you’re putting me in a place where everyone’s single so there’s no issues around that.’
Joining them in the search for love in the sun is Welsh model, account manager and former dancer, Nicole Samuel from Aberdare
While Welsh surveyor Ciaran Davies is this year’s youngest contestant so far, at 21 years old
Sam Taylor is also heading to the villa to find that special someone, and with his hair stylist credentials, will certainly be popular among his fellow Islanders
Sweet salesman Sean Stone hails from Herford and says he is ‘looking for his soulmate’
Samantha, 26, is from Liverpool and works in a beauty salon, while regularly keeping her 4000 Instagram followers up-to-date by sharing bikini-clad pictures
And the scouse stunner has already begun to show some prowess as an influencer, with a handful of deals with several brands under her belt
She believes that she has a lot to bring to show, admitting she can be fiery and potentially bring some drama
Samantha blamed her lack of romance on not going out enough in Liverpool, as she works weekends and revealed her type on paper
Explaining why he’s entering the villa, he said: ‘London dating hasn’t worked out for me. The opportunity to be surrounded by good looking people in a villa under the sun is an absolute no brainer!
‘I’m 30 years old and I need to start thinking seriously about the next step, and what better place.’
And Munveer already knows a little about fame, as he counts Piers Morgan’s son Spencer as a close friend, since meeting in 2018.
Joining them in the search for love in the sun is Welsh model and account manager Nicole from Aberdare.
The 24-year-old already boasts 13,000 followers on her Instagram, which is full of jaw-dropping bikini-clad snaps.
She sees herself making a big impression on the show, admitting: ‘My personality is big and I’m pretty out there, I reckon I’ll probably have one of the biggest personalities in the Villa.’
She also has a secret talent as a professional dancer, revealing: ‘I became a world champion dancer in 2011, not many people know that. I was a professional street dancer.’
And despite going in to meet a host of potential suitors, Nicole admits that she has enjoyed playing the field as a singleton.
Meanwhile, Munveer, 30, has also struggled to find love in the capital, admitting that he can be ‘quite picky’ when choosing a partner
And Munveer already knows a little about fame, as he counts Piers Morgan’s son Spencer as a close friend, since meeting in 2018
Explaining why he’s entering the villa, he said: ‘I’m 30 years old and I need to start thinking seriously about the next step, and what better place’
She said: ‘I’ve been enjoying single life and the attention of different boys, it’s fun. I’ve enjoyed being able to go on holiday with the girls and not having to worry about someone back home.
‘All the girls are there texting in their room and I’m out till 4 in the morning living my best life.’
And she may already have insight into villa life, as Nicole counts Love Island’s Scott van-deer-Sluis as an Instagram follower and is reportedly pals with former Casa Amor star Bayley Mummery.
While Ronnie, 27, hails from South East London and has strong ties to the show already, as he is close friend of show icon Olivia Attwood.
The footballer was best man at Olivia’s wedding to Bradley Dack last summer, and was full of praise for the Love Island star.
He said: ‘Bradley Dack is my best friend and he and Olivia are a big part of my life. I call Olivia my big little sister, she always looks out for me.’
And he’s already proved to be a ladies’ man amongst Olivia’s celebrity friendship group, with TV insiders telling MailOnline he’s finally looking to settle down after years of playing the field in more ways than one.
A source revealed: ‘Ronnie is the latest signing for Love Island this year and he can’t wait to see who else will be joining him.
While Nicole, 24, already boasts 11,000 followers on her Instagram, which is full of jaw-dropping bikini-clad snaps and has a secret talent as a professional dancer
She sees herself making a big impression on the show, admitting: ‘My personality is big and I’m pretty out there, I reckon I’ll probably have one of the biggest personalities in the Villa’
And despite going in to meet a host of potential suitors, Nicole admits that she has enjoyed playing the field as a singleton
And she may already have insight into villa life, as Nicole counts Love Island’s Scott van-deer-Sluis (pictured) as an Instagram follower and is reportedly pals with former Casa Amor star Bayley Mummery
‘As a ladies’ man, he has dated a string of reality stars, and now he’s excited to finally become a contestant himself after hearing so much about it from Olivia.
‘Of course, Olivia and Bradley are close friends with Ronnie and will be supporting him on the show all the way.’
Ronnie himself explained: ‘I’ve had two serious relationships in the past but more recently have enjoyed being single and doing my own thing as I’ve been focussed on my football career. I’ve got to the age where I want to find the right person I can build a life with.’
He plays for non-league team Lewes and appears to be friends with the likes of former Love Island contestant Tyrique Hyde.
Revealing what he’s looking for in a partner, Ronnie said: ‘I want someone that’s family orientated, caring and career minded. Lookwise, I like blondes with nice boobs but am partial to a brunette too.’
While Patsy, 29, is the latest contestant with a disability to join the lineup and is raring to meet the love of her life.
The influencer has Erb’s palsy after Lewisham hospital made a crucial error during her birth, leaving her with the disability.
Patsy has told how she should have been born via cesarean, but doctors made the decision for her to be delivered naturally, resulting in a defect, which she has had to overcome her entire life.
Ronnie is a semi-professional footballer, who was best man at Olivia’s wedding to Bradley Dack last summer, and was full of praise for the Love Island star
He said: ‘Bradley Dack is my best friend and he and Olivia are a big part of my life. I call Olivia my big little sister, she always looks out for me’ (pictured together at the wedding)
And he’s already proved to be a ladies’ man amongst Olivia’s celebrity friendship group, with TV insiders telling MailOnline he’s finally looking to settle down after years of playing the field in more ways than one
He plays for non-league team Lewes and appears to be friends with the likes of former Love Island contestant Tyrique Hyde
Revealing what he’s looking for in a partner, Ronnie said: ‘Lookwise, I like blondes with nice boobs but am partial to a brunette too’
The condition means her right arm is shorter in length and unable to function as well as her left, with Patsy admitting she has felt ‘self-conscious’ but learned to embrace it throughout adulthood.
Speaking about the condition, she said: ‘It doesn’t define who I am, but it makes me a little different, although I’ve learnt to get on with it and it’s never held me back.’
Explaining why she had decided this was the year to sign up for Love Island, she said: ‘I’m finally ready to find a sexy man and I think Love Island may just have some nice hunky guys for me.
‘I think now is the right time as I’ve got a few greys so I need to bag a man sooner rather than later.’
Patsy’s loved ones are already predicting that she’ll cause fireworks in the villa, as she admitted: ‘My friends would say that I’m the loudest person in the group, I’m the one who’s always up for doing a dare, they’d say I was the life and soul of the party.
‘My family would say that I’m bossy and that it’s always my way or the highway, they’d say I rule the roost.’
Rugby hunk Ciaran, 21, comes from Pencoed in South Wales and despite his young age, says he is ready to settle down.
He insisted: ‘It’s the perfect time for me, I feel like I’m mature enough for something serious with the right girl.’
Patsy, 29, has Erb’s palsy after Lewisham hospital made a crucial error during her birth, leaving her with the disability that means her right arm is shorter in length and unable to function as well as her left
Speaking about the condition, she said: ‘It doesn’t define who I am, but it makes me a little different, although I’ve learnt to get on with it and it’s never held me back’
Explaining why she had decided this was the year to sign up for Love Island, she said: ‘I think now is the right time as I’ve got a few greys so I need to bag a man sooner rather than later’
Patsy’s loved ones are already predicting that she’ll cause fireworks in the villa, as she admitted: ‘My friends would say that I’m the loudest person in the group’
As to what he’s looking for in a partner, he added: ‘Obviously looks but humour is a big thing for me, I’m a bit of a wind up so I want a girl who can give it back.
‘Loyalty is another one for me, I think that’s the most important thing to look for in a relationship.’
And Ciaran may even see himself being crowned the winner of this series, as he has some experience channelling a former Love Island champion.
He recalled: ‘When I was in Malia on a boys holiday I pretended to be Liam Reardon from series 7 to get into a club because they wouldn’t let us in.
‘It worked and we ended up getting a private booth and free drinks all night.’
According to The Sun, Ciaran was a big hit with bosses who saw him as a perfect fit for the show, with an insider saying: ‘Ciaran caught the eye of Love Island bosses immediately.
‘He’s gorgeous with a fit athletic build that will send the girls in the villa wild, but he’s also a sweet boy next door from Wales to boot. He’s the kind of lad you could happily take home to your mum’.
Mimii, 24, also known by her real name Michelle, is a trainee mental health nurse, which may come in handy during some of the more emotional moments in the villa.
Rugby hunk Ciaran, 21, comes from Pencoed in South Wales and despite his young age, says he is ready to settle down
As to what he’s looking for in a partner, he added: ‘Obviously looks but humour is a big thing for me, I’m a bit of a wind up so I want a girl who can give it back’
And Ciaran may even see himself being crowned the winner of this series, as he has some experience channelling a former Love Island champion
According to The Sun , Ciaran was a big hit with bosses who saw him as a perfect fit for the show
She enjoys performing in theatre productions and played the part of Marty in Grease in the town of Portsmouth.
The aspiring television personality has a YouTube channel and enjoys connecting with her followers on social media.
Speaking about her reasoning to apply to the show, Mimii admitted that it had been a spur-of-the-moment decision and she hadn’t expected to get through.
She said: ‘The pool in Portsmouth is not giving. I’ve tried dating, speaking to people on social media and it just hasn’t been successful. Applying was a spontaneous thing, I didn’t expect to get here!’
But she thinks she’ll be valuable in the villa, with being a good friend to the girls, making people laugh and spotting those faking it.
Mimii said: ‘I’m a girls’ girl. My girls are my rocks and I’m theirs so I’ll be a good friend as well as going in there to find a man.
‘I like dressing up so I’ll bring style, and I’d like to think I’m quite funny so I’ll make people laugh.
‘Bringing honesty as well – I’m good at picking up on people’s personality traits and side-eyeing those who might be a liar.’
Mimii, 24, also known by her real name Michelle, enjoys performing in theatre productions and played the part of Marty in Grease in the town of Portsmouth
The aspiring television personality has a YouTube channel and enjoys connecting with her followers on social media
Speaking about her reasoning to apply to the show, Mimii admitted that it had been a spur-of-the-moment decision and she hadn’t expected to get through
But she thinks she’ll be valuable in the villa, with being a good friend to the girls, making people laugh and spotting those faking it
She added that her family and friends would describe her as ‘loving, supportive, considerate, empathetic, loyal, and I’ve got a big heart!’
She added that her family and friends would describe her as ‘loving, supportive, considerate, empathetic, loyal, and I’ve got a big heart!’
Sam, 23, is a professional hairdresser who works in a salon in Sheffield and boasts over 4000 followers on Instagram, where he shares incredible haircuts on a slew of happy clients.
He thinks he’ll be a catch in the villa thanks to his ‘personality and chat’ and added: ‘I’d like to think I’ve got lots of depth and substance which should hopefully help me out when trying to find a connection.’
And Sam insists his fellow Islanders will see there’s a lot more to him than his chiselled and inked up exterior.
He said: ‘I’d say not to judge a book by its cover because how I look compared to what I do for work might not necessarily add up.
‘You wouldn’t look at me as a tall guy covered in tattoos and think that I make girls’ hair look pretty for a living.’
He left his home city of Chesterfield to embark on his career chopping people’s locks and in his spare time enjoys mountain biking and hitting the gym.
Sam has also spent time Down Under and appears to be ready for the Spanish sun in Mallorca as he shared a photo last week, carefully applying suncream while sunbathing in Miami Beach, Florida.
Sam, 23, is a professional hairdresser who works in a salon in Sheffield and boasts over 4000 followers on Instagram, where he shares incredible haircuts on a slew of happy clients
He thinks he’ll be a catch in the villa thanks to his ‘personality and chat’ and added: ‘I’d like to think I’ve got lots of depth and substance which should hopefully help me out when trying to find a connection’
And Sam insists his fellow Islanders will see there’s a lot more to him than his chiselled and inked up exterior
He left his home city of Chesterfield to embark on his career chopping people’s locks and in his spare time enjoys mountain biking and hitting the gym
Sam has also spent time Down Under and appears to be ready for the Spanish sun in Mallorca as he shared a photo last week, carefully applying suncream while sunbathing in Miami Beach, Florida
Revealing why now is time for him to find the one, he said: ‘At this point in my life I just want the opportunity to find a real connection with someone.
‘I’ve been looking for that connection for quite some time but I’ve never really found it, I’m hoping I find that spark in the Villa.’
While any girls with a sweet tooth will no doubt be a fan of Sean, 24, who has his own online sweets business which he launched during lockdown.
Accounts for the company show he had £5,000 in the year, so a turn in the villa could see business boom.
Hailing from Hertford, Sean listed the reasons why he’s a catch as: ‘5’11, tall, dark and handsome. Not quite 6 foot. Great smile, great teeth, great arms and abs – the full package.’
While he said his friends and family would describe him as ‘very loving, caring and thoughtful’ adding: ‘I’m the kind of guy that if you broke down on the motorway and needed your tyre changed, I’d be there at any time of night.’
Sean explained that he is joining Love Island in a bid to find ‘The One’, saying it’s the right time for him to get serious.
He said: ‘I’ve always been one for relationships and when you have found someone you want to be with it’s the best feeling. Now is the perfect time, the one thing that is missing is my soulmate.’
Hailing from Hertford, Sean listed the reasons why he’s a catch as: ‘5’11, tall, dark and handsome. Not quite 6 foot. Great smile, great teeth, great arms and abs – the full package’
He explained that he is joining Love Island in a bid to find ‘The One’, saying it’s the right time for him to get serious’
While accounts for his company show he had £5,000 in the year, so a turn in the villa could see business boom
Ahead of his confirmation on the lineup, one of his pals told The Sun: ‘He’s not had a lot of luck in love but wants to settle down. He knows going into the villa will help him meet someone.’
Footballer Ayo, 25, is from Canning Town, East London and plays for Redbridge FC, with him team recently winning the Essex Senior Cup.
He also is a model, being represented by agency Kult Models before he got his chance as a sportsman and has modelled for the likes of boohooman and Jaded.
He thinks that he will be popular in the villa, as he’s easy to chat to, saying: ‘I think I’d bring excitement and joy.
‘I think people would have someone to come to and talk to and feel comfortable being around or to have a laugh with. I think I’m somebody everyone would take to.’
As for attracting romantic attention, Ayo said: ‘I feel like the way I carry myself is very respectful and I think people take to that and once you show who you are to somebody you get it back tenfold.
‘The way I am gives off a good enough energy for people to feel comfortable around me.’
Revealing why he’s joined the dating show, he said: ‘It seems like something to have a go at.
Footballer Ayo, 25, is from Canning Town, East London and plays for Redbridge FC, with him team recently winning the Essex Senior Cup
He thinks that he will be popular in the villa, as he’s easy to chat to, saying: ‘I think I’d bring excitement and joy. I think I’m somebody everyone would take to’
As for attracting romantic attention, Ayo said: ‘I feel like the way I carry myself is very respectful and I think people take to that and once you show who you are to somebody you get it back tenfold’
‘Of course, you can’t go wrong trying to find that love again – that is something that would be amazing to find if possible.
‘I don’t really like being outside too much, I’ve been outside recently and it’s not fun outside! I do prefer to be indoors chilling with that person I can do stuff with. It would be nice to have that with somebody again.’
Harriett, 24, is a dancer and personal shopper from Brighton who has already got over 30,000 followers on Instagram before even stepping foot in the villa.
She frequently shares bikini snaps of herself in sun-soaked locations and counts YouTuber and Strictly Come Dancing star Saffron Barker as one of her best friends, with the pair recently flying out to Dubai together.
Harriett is also pals with former Love Island star Lucinda Strafford, as well as singer Mimi Webb.
Speaking about her famous connections, she said she was ‘a bit of an IT girl in Brighton’, adding: ‘I’ve done personal shopping for the rapper Arrdee and one of my best friends is Saffron Barker the YouTuber.’
Harriett thinks she’ll be one to watch in the villa, saying she’ll be popular with both the boys and girls, as well at viewers at home.
Asked what she’d bring to the villa, she said: ‘For the boys, entertainment, a bit of fun and flirting. I’ll definitely up the flirting. For the girls, I’m a really good friend.’
Harriett, 24, is a dancer and personal shopper from Brighton who has already got over 30,000 followers on Instagram before even stepping foot in the villa
She frequently shares bikini snaps of herself in sun-soaked locations and counts YouTuber and Strictly Come Dancing star Saffron Barker as one of her best friends, with the pair recently flying out to Dubai together (pictured together)
Speaking about her famous connections, she said she was ‘a bit of an IT girl in Brighton’, adding: ‘I’ve done personal shopping for the rapper Arrdee and one of my best friends is Saffron Barker the YouTuber’
Harriett thinks she’ll be one to watch in the villa, saying she’ll be popular with both the boys and girls, as well at viewers at home
She added: ‘I’ll bring the entertainment for everyone in the Villa, whether that’s making the girls laugh or making the boys turn their heads, I’m sure that I’ll bring the drama.’
Series 11 is set to begin on Monday 3 June, with returning host Maya Jama at the helm once again.
The ITV2 dating show will see a new batch of singletons looking for love in Mallorca, with teasers featuring Maya unveiled last month.
The summer series follows Love Island: All Stars, where Molly Smith and Tom Clare, whose relationship is still going strong, were crowned the winners.
Since earning the title, Molly has secured lucrative deals with jewellery brand Abbott Lyon, fashion giant boohoo, and US fitness supplements Alani Nu.
The last summer series was won by Jess Harding and Sammy Root, but the couple split soon after scooping the £50,000 prize.
Jess is in a new relationship with a man she has kept private while Sammy has started to film scenes with the cast of TOWIE.
This year, Islanders starring on the show will continue to keep their Instagram pages ‘dormant’ to protect their mental health, as well as the well-being of their friends and family.
Series 11 is set to begin on Monday 3 June, with returning host Maya Jama (pictured) at the helm once again and a new batch of singletons looking for love in Mallorca
While, ITV will also launch the dating show simultaneously across ITV1, ITV2 and ITVX for the first time ever. It will continue on ITV2 and ITVX for the rest of the series
In previous years, contestants have suffered at the hands of trolling, with negativity consuming their profiles, to the detriment of their loved ones who the hate was directed to in their absence.
While, ITV will also launch the dating show simultaneously across ITV1, ITV2 and ITVX for the first time ever. It will continue on ITV2 and ITVX for the rest of the series.
The channel used a similar launch strategy for Big Brother when it was rebooted last October which achieved an impressive 2.5million overnight viewers.
A source told The Sun of the change to launch night: ‘ITV want to throw their weight behind Love Island and make sure it has a big, glitzy moment when the 11th series kicks off next month.
‘Showing it across every channel means creating what they hope will be a big TV moment. It shows there is still a real commitment to the format even nine years on.
‘Using the full might of ITV means reaching every demographic, including the crucial 16-34s.’
Show bosses will no doubt be hoping the programme is a bigger hit with viewers than the Love Island: All Stars spin-off that aired earlier this year.
While the series was the biggest digital programme of the year to date, it failed to pull in the viewing figures of its glory days.
The summer series follows Love Island: All Stars, where Molly Smith and Tom Clare, whose relationship is still going strong, were crowned the winners (pictured)
The last summer series was won by Jess Harding and Sammy Root, but the couple split soon after scooping the £50,000 prize (pictured)
The reality show received the lowest ever ratings for a Love Island final, with only 1 million viewers tuning in live for the grand finale making it the least watched final since series one in 2015.
Back in 2018, 3.6 million tuned in as Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham bagged the £50,000 followed by Amber Gill and Greg O’Shea who secured the highest rating ever for a final with 3.7 million.
Meanwhile, Love Island: Aftersun will also return to screens live from London every Sunday on ITV2 and ITVX hosted by Maya alongside an array of regular panellists.
Sam Thompson and Indiyah Polack will resume their roles joined by new panellists Amy Hart, Chris Taylor and Jordan Stephens as they join celebrity guests to discuss all the goings on from the Villa this summer.
Meanwhile, Love Island: Aftersun will also return to screens live from London every Sunday on ITV2 and ITVX hosted by Maya alongside an array of regular panellists
Sam Thompson and Indiyah Polack will resume their roles joined by new panellists Amy Hart, Chris Taylor and Jordan Stephens as they join celebrity guests to discuss all the goings on from the Villa this summer (Amy, Indiyah and Chris pictured)