Love Island 2023: One boy is set to be DUMPED in the first recoupling of the series

Love Island is set to have it’s first recoupling of the series during Friday evening’s episode.

One boy will say goodbye to the South African villa as the islanders gather around the firepit, with each girl choosing who they’d like to couple up with.

And the recoupling news has the boys feeling uneasy, as Will, who isn’t in a couple, admits to: ‘Sh***ing it’ over whether or not he will be picked. 

But as one door closes, another opens, with two new bombshells, one boy and one girl, heading to the villa next week.

Ahead of the recoupling, Will, Zara and David are all single and vulnerable – with the two boys hoping to have done enough grafting to avoid being dumped.

As the islanders receive a text notifying them of the recoupling, Will admitted his worries for the evening.

‘I’m not even being funny I’m sh***ing it,’ said the farmer.

While Shaq, who isn’t sure who his current partner Tanya will pick, replies: ‘My heart is racing.’

Decision time: The girls will each get to take their pic of which boy they’d like to couple up with, just under a week after entering the Cape Town villa

Tense: The boys stand in front of the firepit as they await to see whether they will be picked be one of the girls

After a week of getting to know one another in the villa, the girls are conflicted as they step up to the firepit to make their decision.

Tanyel is having connections with both Kai and Ron, but the latter appears to be a popular choice as he has also been growing close to current partner Lana, while flirting with new bombshell Zara.

While there are seven boys standing around the firepit, only six girls sit in front of them to choose.

Tough decision: But after a week of getting to know one another in the villa, the girls are conflicted as they step up to the firepit to make their decision

Split: Olivia has been growing close to both Haris and Tom, but will have to choose which one she has a stronger connection with during the episode

The show is also set to welcome two new bombshells, who have reportedly been revealed as Jessie Wynter and Aaron Waters.

The pair, who both brought plenty of drama to the show’s Australian version, are expected to ‘blow apart’ the villa when they make their debut on Friday.

It’s hoped that this new twist could help boost Love Island’s ratings, which continued to plunge on Thursday with an average of just 626,000 viewers tuning in.

Here she is! Love Island’s two new bombshells have reportedly been revealed as former Australian contestants Jessie Wynter (pictured) and Aaron Waters

According to The Sun, Jessie is expected to cause carnage when she enters the villa, after appearing on the Aussie version in 2019.

During her stint on the show, she coupled up with four different men and also sent fans’ wild with her savage one-liners and drama-filled antics.

Male model Aaron is also being lined up to enter the villa this week, after reaching the final of the Australian version in 2021.

He eventually finished runner-up with Jess Velkovsk, after an explosive journey which saw her accused of gaslighting him after a furious row.

Hunky: The pair, who both brought plenty of drama to the show’s Australian version, and are expected to ‘blow apart’ the villa when they make their debut on Friday (Aaron is pictured)

Sex bomb! Jessie is expected to cause plenty of drama when she enters the villa, after appearing on the Aussie version in 2019

Drama! During her stint on the show, she coupled up with four different men and also sent fans’ wild with her savage one-liners and drama-filled antics

It was previously revealed that viewers could anticipate the arrival of two international bombshells, in the hope that they can cause carnage in the villa. 

A source told the publication: ‘The two new international recruits are essentially professional bombshells and won’t just shake up the villa – they’ll blow it apart.

‘Both of them bed-hopped, bonked and had blistering rows on their seasons of Love Island and neither has a shred of British restraint about them.

‘They’re going to create explosive telly, just like they did the first time round.’

Bosses may be hoping that these new arrivals can bring enough drama to boost ratings, which have continued to plunge despite an explosive episode on Thursday.

The episode, which saw a huge fight erupt between Haris Namani and Shaq Muhammad, reached a peak of 810,000 viewers, according to overnight figures.

Good-looking! Male model Aaron is also being lined up to enter the villa this week, after reaching the final of the Australian version in 2021

Plenty of drama! He eventually finished runner-up with Jess Velkovsk, after an explosive journey which saw her accused of gaslighting him after a furious row

Oh dear! It’s hoped that this new twist could help boost Love Island’s ratings, which continued to plunge on Thursday with an average of just 626,000 viewers tuning in

Explosive! The low numbers come, after Thursday’s episode proved to be the most explosive of the series so far, as two islanders had to be held apart

While this number is likely to increase when catch-up and late viewers are included, it is still a drastic drop from its consolidated number of 4.11 million viewers who watched the same episode last series in 2022.

It comes, after an average of just 900,000 viewers watched Wednesday’s episode. 

It follows on from a disappointing launch show that pulled in an average of just over 1million TV viewers as new host Maya Jama made her debut and a new host of singletons stepped out.

The first episode of the winter series saw an average of 1.2million viewers watch the latest batch of Islanders enter the South African villa, overnight figures showed.

It was a staggering 1.2million down from 2022’s summer debut episode, which saw an average of 2.4million TV viewers tune in at the time.

The low numbers come, after Thursday’s episode proved to be the most explosive of the series so far, as  two islanders had to be held apart by the other boys as they almost came to blows in a tense stand-off.

The drama kicked off as Haris commented on new bombshell David’s steamy kiss with Shaq’s partner Tanya, causing Shaq to brand the TV salesman a ‘s**t stirrer’.

Drama alert! The show descended as a huge fight erupted between Haris Namani and Shaq Muhammad following the beer pong game

Newcomer David had earlier been dared to kiss the islander he fancies the most for 30 seconds, and after flirting up a storm with Tanya, it was inevitable that he was going to pick her – much to Shaq’s chagrin.

And as the boys sat down later to discuss the events of the game, Haris asked David what he made of the kiss, causing Shaq to accuse him to trying to cause trouble. 

The two then begin arguing and throwing insults at each other, with things becoming more and more heated.

Tensions: The drama kicked off as Haris commented on new bombshell David’s steamy kiss with Shaq’s partner Tanya, causing Shaq to brand the TV salesman a ‘s**t stirrer’

Haris was heard telling the airport security officer to ‘Shut the f**k up’, to which Shaq angrily responded: ‘You shut the f**k up you f**king p****’

Haris then ordered Shaq not to speak to him like that, with Shag fuming: ‘I’ll speak to you however I want!’ 

The other boys were then forced to then step in and stop things from escalating, with Haris and Shaq dragged to separate parts of the villa to keep them apart.

The girls, who were having their own chats elsewhere, watched on in shock as things kicked off among the lads.

Anger: And as the boys sat down later to discuss the events of the game, Haris asked David what he made of the kiss, causing Shaq to accuse him to trying to cause trouble

Taking to Twitter following the shock scenes, viewers were quick to share their thoughts on what went down.

One tweeted: ‘Haris knew he was wrong for that. If he really cared to know he could have asked David alone. Showed he has no respect for Shaq. And low key Tanya is mugging Shaq off. I won’t blame him if he starts exploring his options.’

While another commented: ‘Haris wanted a reaction from shaq.’

Rant: Haris was heard telling the airport security officer to ‘Shut the f**k up’, to which Shaq angrily responded: ‘You shut the f**k up you f**king p****’

Fuming: Haris then ordered Shaq not to speak to him like that, with Shag fuming: ‘I’ll speak to you however I want!’

Uh oh: The other boys were then forced to then step in and stop things from escalating, with Haris and Shaq dragged to separate parts of the villa to keep them apart

What’s happening? The girls, who were having their own chats elsewhere, watched on in shock as things kicked off among the lads

‘So Haris purposely asked a question that would trigger Shaq and he also told Shaq to shut the f up first,’ wrote a third.

‘That fight between shaq and haris was so random but I’m here for it,’ shared a fourth fan.

With another adding: I don’t believe this tension between Haris and Shaq came out of nowhere. They’re editing out the good stuff.’

Reaction: Taking to Twitter following the shock scenes, viewers were quick to share their thoughts on what went down

It comes after Love Island fans went wild earlier in the episode after Tanya snubbed both David and Shaq in a kissing challenge.

As the series pushes on, Tanya Manhenga is slowly revealing her creative streak, by drawing a very impressive love triangle.

A full week is yet to pass, but the scouse student has already pied overzealous airport worker Shaq Muhammad on two separate occasions, despite being coupled up with him.

And now, as she has her sights set on a potential recouping with Essex boy Ron Hall, she’s only gone and pied new bombshell David Salako. 

Love Island fans couldn’t contain their shock as Tanya snubbed both islanders during a beer pong challenge, despite the pair trying to crack on with her.

Cheeky:  It comes after Love Island fans went wild earlier in the episode after Tanya snubbed both David and Shaq in a kissing challenge

In trouble: After taking a sip of her drink, Tanya was instructed to: ‘Snog three boys who you think are the best kissers’

Awkward: One fan pointed out that because David kissed Tanya earlier on in the challenge and she did not reciprocate with a kiss back, she was essentially saying he was a bad kisser

After taking a sip of her drink, Tanya was instructed to: ‘Snog three boys who you think are the best kissers’.

Up first, Tanya walked over to an unsuspecting Tom and leant in. 

She then made her way to Ron – at which point other Islanders started screaming.

With one final boy to choose – and presumably either Shaq or David in line for the kiss – Tanya instead went for Kai. 

One fan pointed out that because David kissed Tanya earlier on in the challenge and she did not reciprocate with a kiss back, she was essentially saying he was a bad kisser. 

Love Island continues on Friday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. 

LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

Tanya Manhenga 

Name: Tanya Manhenga

Age: 22

Location: Liverpool

Occupation: Student and model

Something not many people know about her: ‘I have Vitiligo, which is a skin pigmentation, you may not even notice it.’

‘It’s on my lip and I have a stripe on my hair. Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute.’

‘I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe.’

Lana Jenkins 

Name: Lana Jenkins

Age: 25

Location: Luton

Occupation: Makeup artist

Something not many people know about her: ‘In my work as a makeup artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities.

‘Also, when I was 6-years-old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.’

Anna-May Robey 

Name: Anna-May Robey

Age: 20

Location: Swansea

Occupation: Payroll assistant

Something not many people know about her: ‘I went on a date once and I never saw him again.’

‘We went for food and shared a bottle of wine. As I was speaking to him he fell asleep!’

‘I had to clink his wine glass to wake him up.’

Tanyel Revan

Name: Tanyel Revan

Age: 26

Location: North London

Occupation: Hair stylist

Something not many people know about her: ‘My celebrity crush is Channing Tatum – I don’t like pretty boys, they give me the ‘ick’ because they always have a crap personality.’

‘Channing Tatum is handsome but not too pretty. He’s manly and he can dance.’

‘If a man can dance I’m in love with him straight away.’

Olivia Hawkins

Name: Olivia Hawkins

Age: 27

 Location: Brighton

Occupation: Ring girl and actress

Something not many people know about her: ‘I did a film with Jason Statham and had a nice 10-minute convo about life.’

‘I’ve been a ring girl for KSI, I played a waitress in James Bond with Daniel Craig and I’ve also been a body double for Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson.’

Tom Clare

 Name: Tom Clare

 Age: 23

Location: Barnsley

Occupation: Semi-Pro Footballer

Something not many people know about him: I’m a High School Musical fan

David Salako

Name: David Salako

Age: 24

Location: Essex

Occupation: Money adviser 

Something not many people know about him: ‘I can sing, but I will never sing! I just haven’t got the confidence to do it.’

Kai Fagan 

 Name: Kai Fagan

Age: 24

Location: Manchester

Occupation: Science and PE teacher

Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a Jamaican citizen. Because of that I played rugby 7s for Jamaica.’

‘I play semi-professional rugby now for Burnage RFC.’

‘I’ve technically got three different degrees and went to three different unis.’

Ron Hall

 Name: Ron Hall

Age: 25

Location: Essex

Occupation: Financial advisor 

Something not many people know about him: ‘On meeting me, you’d never know I am blind in one eye.’

‘It was the result of a football injury when I was 8. I’ve got two different coloured eyes, one blue and one green.’

Will Young

 Name: Will Young

Age: 23

Location: Buckinghamshire

Occupation: Farmer

Something not many people know about him: ‘Every night I light a candle and meditate for 20-25 minutes.’

‘A girl I was seeing told me to meditate, I tried it and loved it. I stopped seeing her and carried on meditating!

‘It’s a nice way to self reflect.’ 

Shaq Muhammad

Name: Shaq Muhammad

Age: 24

 Location: London

Occupation: Airport security officer

Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse.’  

‘Every time I watch Dear John I cry. 

That’s my favourite film. Any time I’m with someone and they say, ‘Let’s watch a romantic film’, I’m like, ‘How about Dear John, how does that sound?’

Haris Namani

Name: Haris Namani

Age: 21

 Location: Doncaster

Occupation: TV salesman

Something not many people know about him: ‘I’ve never found love. I think this is the show that can help me.’

‘It’s the best opportunity for me to find the girl and find the right one. I’ve obviously not found the right one myself.’

Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown

Name: Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown

Age: 25

Location: London

Occupation: Model and property developer

Something not many people know about her: ‘I’ve gone onto do lots of modelling and dancing for music videos for UK and global artists, I’ve worked with people like Hardy Caprio, Headie One, Aitch, Tione Wayne and more.’