Maya Jama has revealed the date she’ll be returning to the Love Island final ahead of Monday’s final.
After eight weeks of dramatic recouplings, explosive rows and brutal dumpings, the winter series is finally set to draw to a close on Monday night.
The presenter will be hitting screens live from the villa in Cape Town for the final, with the islanders also live for the first time since entering the reality show.
She has not yet set set off for the southernmost tip of the African continent, but is expected to jet out over the weekend, to give herself and producers time to prepare for the final.
The grand final will take place on Monday 13 March, airing live from South Africa on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm. Extended from the show’s usual hour-long run, the episode will finish up at 10:35pm.
Back to the villa: Maya Jama, 28, will return to South Africa imminently as she prepares to host the show’s grand finale live for the first time, after taking over from Laura Whitmore, 37
New face: In August 2022, Laura Whitmore announced that had quit as host of Love Island (Pictured during the Love Island final in August 2022)
Ready or not: Maya has not yet set set off for the southernmost tip of the African continent, but is expected to jet out over the weekend
From the turmoil of Casa Amor wreaking havoc on relationships to Aussie Love Island legends Jessie Wynter and Aaron Waters making a return to the show – there was plenty of action to get stuck into.
But after another pair of islanders said their goodbyes this week, the end is in sight for our final ten islanders.
During Tuesday evening’s episode, a public vote booted Casey O’Gorman and Rosie Seabrook out of the villa as they were one of the three couples with the least amount of votes.
Shaq and Tanya also found themselves in that bottom three section alongside Will and Jessie – suggesting that these two couples could be more vulnerable than others ahead of the final.
Five couples still remain in the villa, with one expected to just miss out on their chance at winning the show in the live final.
The remaining couples are Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, Tom Clare and Samie Elishi, Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins, Will Young and Jessie Wynter, and Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga.
Alongside the finalists and Maya, an audience will gather to watch the winning moment in real-life, as the final few days are recapped in pre-recorded segments.
On Thursday, Aftersun hosts Sam Thompson, 30, and Indiyah Polack, 24, jetted out to South Africa ahead of the big episode.
Final: The remaining couples are Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, Tom Clare and Samie Elishi, Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins, Will Young and Jessie Wynter, and Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga
‘We’re off to South Africa baby!’ On Thursday, an excitable Sam Thompson joined fellow Aftersun host Indiyah Polack as they jetted off ahead of the Love Island final
Ready: The Made In Chelsea star shared a clip as he sipped on some fizz in the airport lounge ahead of boarding the plane with the influencer
The Made In Chelsea star shared a clip as he sipped on some fizz in the airport lounge ahead of boarding the plane with the influencer.
Looking buzzing he penned: ‘This is amazing!! We’re off to South Africa baby!!! Living my dream!’
Posing with Indiyah he then joked: ‘I don’t sleep on flights… she’s in for a tough ride!’
The pair were joined by Love Island alum and best pals Millie Court and Chloe Burrows who also shared their excitement for the trip.
Based on the public vote, one lucky couple will be crowned the winners of Winter Love Island during Monday’s live final, and awarded a cushty £50K to share.
While the show previously included a ‘share or steal’ segment to the final, this is likely not to feature this year.
Most winners of the show have been handed an envelope each, one with £0 and one with £50K written on it – with the contestant holding the latter being given the decision to keep it all for themselves, or split it with their partner.
Crew! The pair were joined by Love Island alum and best pals Millie Court and Chloe Burrows who also shared their excitement for the trip
But during the 2022 summer edition of the show, winners Ekin-Su and Davide weren’t given this option, with the money automatically being split.
While it hasn’t been confirmed that the segment is scrapped, it is likely that ITV have decided that it is no longer relevant – as every winner before has split the cash.
In addition to the money, islanders are often bombarded with press opportunities, brand partnerships and TV deals upon leaving the villa.
Meaning that even if they don’t win the show, most islanders could be headed for a more than satisfactory payday outside of the villa.
LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
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.’
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.’
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
Name: Samie Elishi
Age: 22
Location: London
Occupation: Senior Estate Agent Coordinator
Something not many people know about her: ‘I’m a really honest person and I have no filter. I won’t take rubbish from anyone, especially when it comes to guys!’
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.’
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.’
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?’
Name: Sanam Harrinanan
Age: 24
Location: Bedford
Occupation: Social Worker
Who did she have her eye on in Casa Amor? ‘Kai is my number one. Job wise I think that we’d connect a lot and I think he’s cute!’
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