Love Island returned on Monday and after promising a series of twists, Maya Jama was sure to deliver.
The Islanders were coupled up earlier in the day after the girls matched themselves to dating profiles – but Maya returned later that night with big news.
After a day of getting to know each other, the couples were gathered at the fire pit where they were dealt the news that American bombshell Toni Laites would be entering and stealing one of the boys.
Forced to make her decision on the spot, Toni, 24, picked taxi driver Ben Holbrough – leaving construction project manager Shakira Khan, 26, single and vulnerable.
Maya revealed that Shakira would have just 24 hours to form a connection with one of the boys or risk being dumped from the island.
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Love Island returned on Monday and after promising a series of twists, Maya Jama was sure to deliver, with a launch show shock that’s destined to throw the villa into chaos
Maya revealed that Shakira Khan (pictured) would have just 24 hours to form a connection with one of the boys or risk being dumped from the island after being left vulnerable
In order to stay in the villa, Shakira would have to convince one of the boys to leave their partner the following evening.
If she manages to do this whichever girl is left single will be dumped… but if she doesn’t, it’s Shakira who will face the chop.
At the start of the episode, the ladies – Shakira, Meg, Alima, Sophie, Megan and Helena – were first to enter the villa with talk soon turning to the boys they could potentially couple up with.
However, in contrast to recent series, it wasn’t the viewers that would be picking the couples, but instead the girls were tasked with choosing their boys based on their dating profiles.
Explaining the huge change, Maya told the girls: ‘This year things are slightly different. You’ve told me what your type on paper is, but does that match your ideal man in reality? Come and join me by the pool.’
As the girls lined up, she continued: ‘Girls, in front of you there are six love hearts and each boy has given me their dating profile which is written on each of these hearts – shall we have a look at what these boys have to offer?’
The girls then checked out the descriptions of the island’s boys – Ben, Dejon, Harry, Conor, Blu and Tommy.
They then had to decide to who they’d like to pair up with based on key stats with the boys’ name, age, job and a headline.
After a day of getting to know each other, the couples were gathered at the fire pit where they were dealt the news that American bombshell Toni Laites (Pictured) would be entering and stealing one of the boys
Bombshell Toni, 24, stole taxi driver Ben Holbrough – leaving construction project manager Shakira Khan (Shakira and Ben pictured), 26, single and vulnerable
Elsewhere in the episode, the ladies – Shakira , Meg, Alima, Sophie, Megan and Helena – were first to enter the villa with talk soon turning to the boys they could potentially couple up with
The girls then checked out the descriptions of the island’s boys – Ben, Dejon, Harry, Conor, Blu and Tommy
Headlines included lines such as: ‘I like to play hard and work harder! I love to play, so I work very hard…’ in order to help the girls make their big decisions.
After discussing the boys’ profiles and attempting to figure out which lad could be right for them, Maya then forced them to make their choice.
Counting to three, the stunner informed the ladies that they must run to their chosen heart, with only one girl allowed to stand next to each heart.
And after the girls had chosen their man, they were finally introduced to each boy – but it wasn’t all love at first sight.
Blu Chegini, 26, got eyebrows raising when he immediately made it clear stunning Scot Alima Gagio wasn’t his type on paper.
And Megan Moore, 25, also admitted that her couple Dejon Noel Williams, 26, also didn’t fit her usual man.
While Helena had a rough start as she insisted she was not interested in rugby players, before awkwardly being left to couple up with hunky pro player Connor.
In a new twist, Maya shared the new boys dating profiles before the girls were told to go stand next to the name they would like to couple up with most.
American islander Toni and taxi driver Ben are the new couple in town after she stole him during the shock twist during the launch episode
Shakira was formerly couple with Ben, with the two joking they had a love/hate relationship – but they’ve now been torn apart thanks to bombshell Toni
Meg and Dejon got off to a shaky start as she admitted that she’s 50/50 about him due to his comments about his partying, but they soon resolved their differences
Megan and Tommy formed a connection thanks to their Italian backgrounds and both seem keen on each other so far
Helena had a rough start as she insisted she was not interested in rugby players, before awkwardly being left to couple up with hunky pro player Connor
Sophie initially chose Harry due to his age, before later opening up to him about her fire accident – but he later admitted she was ‘a bit much’
Despite having the Spanish language in common, Alima and Blu were quick to confess they were not each other’s types
In a panic Helena was left with 25-year-old rugby player Connor when she really wanted to couple up with 6ft2 trader Harry, who Sophie stole.
Maya looked shocked by her choice and said: ‘Helena, you’re with Connor, I thought you didn’t like rugby players!’
She replied: ‘I know but nobody else wants to swap, does anyone want to swap? I don’t want the 22-year-old he’s a bit to young though.’
Looking at Sophie, she added: ‘No you keep Harry, it’s fine we can swap later on.’
Sophie agreed, ‘Yeah we can touch base and maybe have a handover tonight.’
Helena added: ‘I’ll just take it, we’ll give it ago. It’s a gut instinct let’s just get on with it’.
Meanwhile as Helena, who is the only blonde bombshell in the villa so far, got to know Connor later, he admitted he doesn’t go for blondes.
Several fans took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to say they loved the Love Is Blind twist this year and Helena’s panicked reaction left them in hysterics.
Love Islander Helena had a rough start to the ITV series as she insisted she was not interested in rugby players before awkwardly being left to couple up with hunky pro player Connor
In a new twist, Maya shared the new boys dating profiles before the girls were told to go stand next to the name they would like to couple up with most; pictured Connor
In a panic Helena was left with 25-year-old rugby player Connor when she really wanted to couple up with 6ft2 trader Harry (R), who Sophie (L) stole
Maya looked shocked by Helena’s choice and said: ‘Helena your with Connor, I thought you didn’t like rugby players!’ She replied: ‘I know but nobody else wants to swap’
Several fans took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to say they loved the Love Is Blind twist this year and Helena’s panicked reaction left them in hysterics
Meanwhile as Helena, who is the only blonde bombshell in the villa so far, got to know Connor later, he admitted he doesn’t go for blondes
They wrote: ‘I love how they are pairing the couples this year! Love is blind but make it love island;
‘Love island meets love is blind;
‘They had them blind pick. How they ran over. Helena lol’.
Elsewhere, Harry Cooksley has been blasted by furious fans over his reaction to Sophie Lee’s horror fire accident.
The 29-year-old Manchester native chose to open up to Harry about a traumatic event that occurred in her 20s, leaving her to completely rebuild her life.
She explained: ‘I’ve only had one boyfriend. When I was 22 I was in a fire accident.
‘It made me the woman that I am. It made me learn so much about life and interactions with people and how to be better.’
The model continued: ‘I believe to date people, you also need to be in a good place in yourself. That’s why in my early 20s, I think I wasn’t ready to date because I didn’t feel good in myself.
Harry Cooksley was been blasted by furious fans over his reaction to Sophie Lee’s horror fire accident
Sophie chose to open up to Harry about a traumatic event that occurred in her 20s, leaving her to completely rebuild her life
Sophie worked as a professional dancer and fire performer when she was 22 for 18-months when she suffered horrific facial and chest burns during a freak accident in the United States
Following her brave admission, Harry remarked how Sophie was ‘a bit much for me’ which left viewers at home stunned
Fans immediately flocked to social media to comment on Harry’s remark
‘I had a lot of self work to do, I had a lot of building my own confidence.’
Sophie worked as a professional dancer and fire performer when she was 22 for 18-months when she suffered horrific facial and chest burns during a freak accident in the United States.
She was performing at a charity event in Chicago when the venue’s air conditioning blew flames she was expelling from her mouth back into her face, leaving her with serious, life-threatening injuries.
Following her brave admission, Harry remarked how Sophie was ‘a bit much for me’.
His comments left fans up in arms as they flocked to social media, with one writing: ‘Harry heard Sophie talk about her life story and the things she’s been through and said she’s ‘a bit much’… A deeply sinister man.’
A second viewer fumed: ‘Harry saying Sophie is maybe a bit much for him yeah we could tell by your one word responses the whole time can’t handle a smart woman.’
‘Sophie I’m sorry, but Harry could not give less of a s**t,’ said a third fan.
A fourth posted: ‘Sophie defo scared Harry off but I’m kinda glad she did. She seems like the only serious one here (so far). Maybe too serious, but it’s refreshing to see.’
Meanwhile, Maya kicked off the new series of Love Island in sensational style on Monday night, as she strutted into the famous villa to greet the new girls.
The presenter, 30, kicked off another series of show-stopping looks in a plunging black floral dress as she made her entrance.
Maya put on a leggy display as the stunning number, which showed off her amazing figure, featured a floaty skirt which was shorter in the front and longer in the back.
Maya kicked off another series of show-stopping looks in a plunging black floral dress as she made her entrance
The presenter looked nothing short of sensational in a plunging black gown which boasted an eye catching colourful patterned and thin straps
Styling her long dark tresses in voluminous waves, the ITV2 star accessorised with a huge pair of coordinated drop earrings.
She greeted the girls in the villa for the first time before heading over to the famous fire pit to discuss the girls’ types.
Just minutes into the show, fans already grew tired of a joke about one of the stars’ names as they predict they’re going to hear it all series.
Construction project manager Shakira Khan, 26, was one of the first Islanders to make her way into the villa as the new series kicked off on Monday.
But quick off the mark a joke was made about her name, as a fellow Islander referenced iconic popstar Shakira.
While introducing herself, Shakira revealed her name to fellow Islander Sophie Lee who replied: ‘Ooh and your hips don’t lie.’
Just minutes later another similar joke was made – and viewers were left rolling their eyes at the prospect of it continuing all series.
They wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Are they gonna sing “shakira shakira” all the time,’;
Just minutes into the show, fans already grew tired of a joke about one of the stars’ names as they predict they’re going to hear it all series
Shakira Khan, 26, was one of the first Islanders to make her way into the villa – but quick off the mark a joke was made about her name, as a fellow Islander referenced iconic popstar Shakira (Seen in 2012)
While introducing herself, Shakira revealed her name to fellow Islander Sophie Lee who replied: ‘Oo and your hips don’t lie’
Just minutes later another similar joke was made – and viewers were left rolling their eyes at the prospect of it continuing all series
‘Gonna be hearing the Shakira references the whole season aren’t we,’; ‘”hips don’t lie shakira shakira” STOP,’;
‘They’re 1000% gonna wear out the Shakira jokes i can feel it,’; ‘I’m already annoyed by how many times they are going to make the Shakira joke,’;
‘”them hips don’t lie” “shakira shakira” i know she’s tired,’; ‘We are gonna hear Shakira Shakira all season aren’t we,’;
‘Can we get some new material or is it just gonna be Shakira Shakira my hips don’t lie all summer.’
This year’s crop of hopefuls include a Declan Rice body double, fire breather and Maura Higgins lookalike and Maya will once again be at the helm after joining the popular dating series in January 2023.
This year, the show celebrates a decade on screens and promises to have ‘more twists and turns than ever before’ in honour of their 10-year anniversary.
The series, which has been streamed over two billion times on ITVX, has seen over 300 Islanders pass through the villa doors over the years, including the likes of Olivia Attwood, Dani Dyer, Chris Hughes, and Molly-Mae Hague.
LOVE ISLAND 2025: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Sophie Lee
NAME: Sophie Lee
AGE: 29
FROM: Manchester
OCCUPATION: Motivational Speaker and Author
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I’m only finding ones draped in red flags and ‘do not cross’ signs
IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I’m the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self.
Dejon Noel Williams
NAME: Dejon Noel Williams
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy
CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I’ve met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we’d go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I’ve met David Beckham, he was really nice.
Megan Moore
NAME: Megan Moore
AGE: 25
FROM: Southampton
OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I’d like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we’re going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits!
Tommy Bradley
NAME: Tommy Bradley
AGE: 22
FROM: Hertfordshire
OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn’t take themselves too seriously. I don’t know if that’s asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven’t got a specific type in terms of looks, though.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair
Alima Gagio
NAME: Alima Gagio
AGE: 23
FROM: Glasgow
OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That’s it
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she’d hire me because I’m a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I’m originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number.
But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don’t want to give a guy your number. I’m originally from Guinea Bissau. If they’re close and I really fancy them, I’ll give them my number anyway.
Ben Holbrough
NAME: Ben Holbrough
AGE: 23
FROM: Gloucester
OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact – they’re all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I’d have been out of business a long time ago. That’s exactly why I’m here.
Helena Ford
NAME: Helena Ford
AGE: 29
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you’ll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract.
Megan Moore
NAME: Megan Forte Clarke
AGE: 24
FROM: Dublin
OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they’re not bad looking, that’s always a plus.
I love a boy that’s a bit pasty, like Timothée Chalamet. I don’t mind scrawny, or a bit of a ‘dad bod’. I’m 5ft1 so any height really.
CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton. Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I’ve also done Panto.
Blu Chegini
NAME: Blu Chegini
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She’d fire me, but I’ve got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting!
Shakira Khan
NAME: Shakira Khan
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they’re all frogs. It’s a busy love life but I’ve not found ‘the husband’, I’m looking for ‘the one’. I’m looking for the ring.
Harry Cooksley
NAME: Harry Cooksley
AGE: 30
FROM: Guildford
OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don’t think I’d go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl.
CLAIM TO FAME? I’m the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You’ll never see my face, but you’ll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing.
Conor Phillips
NAME: Conor Phillips
AGE: 23
FROM: Limerick
OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don’t mind a dominant woman.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn’t work, but it gets them laughing. It’s an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course!
Toni Laites
NAME: Toni Laites
AGE: 24
FROM: Connecticut
OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I’m looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh – I’m super outgoing. And someone that’s quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together.
I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE… I’ve lived in three different states and I’m still single. It’s time to try something new! I have some British friends and they’re pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners.
Kyle Ashman – AXED
NAME: Kyle Ashman
AGE: 23
FROM: Stafford
OCCUPATION: Water operative
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that’s fun, confident and just themselves.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I’d say I’d be hired. I just go with it, find something to compliment a girl on and go from there.
