The first ever winter series of Love Island has been pootling along quite nicely so far – but it’s about to get a serious injection of drama.
That’s because everyone’s favourite twist is returning – yes, it’s time for Casa Amor.
Monday night’s episode of the ITV2 reality show will see the introduction of a second villa, which is set to put the existing couples to the ultimate test.
From who is entering, to whose head you should expect to turn, here’s everything we can tell you about this year’s Casa Amor twist…
What is Casa Amor and how does it work?
Casa Amor was first introduced during the third series of Love Island back in 2017, and has returned for every following series.
The twist sees the show make use of a second villa – named Casa Amor, obviously – with the existing boys and girls split up, and new Islanders introduced, who attempt to turn the heads of the original contestants.
Series three and four saw the boys woken up in the middle of the night and secretly moved into Casa Amor, before a new bunch of girls joined them and new boys were sent into the original villa.
In series five, producers chose to mix things up a little bit, with the girls moving to Casa Amor, and the boys staying in the original villa.
The Islanders all get to know each other over a three-to-four-day period, before there is then a dramatic recoupling ceremony, in which the original Islanders get the chance to form new couples, or remain in their previous pairing.
Any newcomers left single at the end are dumped from the Island immediately, while any original Islanders who suddenly find themselves single are then “at risk” of being sent home too.
Where is Casa Amor?
The second villa is reported to be only a stone’s throw from the main one, which is located in the suburb of Constantia in Cape Town, South Africa.
As fans will know, the summer series of Love Island is usually set in Mallorca in Spain, and Casa Amor is so close to the original villa that sometimes sometimes contestants in the main villa have heard the other Islanders.
What does the Casa Amor villa look like?
Much like we have seen before in Spain, Casa Amor takes on a similar theme to the main villa – albeit slightly less fancy.
As you can see from the pics below, the South African Casa Amor features many classic Love Island motifs, including a large swimming pool, the firepit, daybeds and an outdoor kitchen area.
Take a closer look around in the gallery below…
Who are the new Islanders?
A total of 12 new contestants will be descending on the Island as part of the twist – six boys and six girls. And they are…
Ched Uzor
Age: 23
From: Suffolk
Occupation: Scaffolder
He says: “It’s not Friend Island, if I fancy someone and she likes me and not you it’s not my fault!”
Who does he have his eye on? Rebecca and Siannise
ITV
George Day
Age: 27
From: Southampton
Occupation: Estate agent
He says: “I love an accent and good teeth are important too. It’s the first thing I look at, I’m drawn to the mouth. I’m not a dentist, but I should have been!”
Who does he have his eye on? Paige, Siannise, Jess and Demi
ITV
Josh Kempton
Age: 21
From: Surrey
Occupation: Model
He says: “They need to make me laugh otherwise I’ll get bored.”
Who does he have his eye on? Rebecca and Jess
ITV
Alexi Eraclides
Age: 23
From: Essex
Occupation: Butler in the buff
He says: “I’ve met Jess on a night out before, we exchanged Instagrams then we sent a few messages but nothing came of it. It’ll be interesting to see how we get on when we meet again…”
Who does he have his eye on? Shaughna and Demi
ITV
Biggs Chris
Age: 27
From: Glasgow
Occupation: Car body repair specialist
He says: “I’m a goofy, funny guy. I’m all about being funny and bringing a funny vibe.”
Who does he have his eye on? Rebecca and Jess
ITV
Natalia Zoppa
Age: 20
From: Manchester
She says: “No couple in there seems strong enough not to be broken. I’m just going to go for it!”
Occupation: Student and club promoter
Who does she have her eye on? Callum, Finn and Luke M
ITV
Jamie McCann
Age: 24
From: North Ayrshire
Occupation: Eyelash technician
She says: “I’m really outgoing and a bit extra. I like to have fun so I’ll be in amongst the action in the Villa. I’m a relationship person, I fall in love hard so if I meet someone in there who I really like I will end up falling in love with them.”
Who does she have her eye on? Callum
ITV
Eva Zapico
Age: 21
From: Bromley
Occupation: Recruitment consultant
She says: “I’m a 10/10 – how can you expect someone to love you if you don’t love yourself?”
Who does she have her eye on? Mike and Nas
ITV
Molly Smith
Age: 25
From: Manchester
Occupation: Model
She says: “I like somebody who is confident and honest. I’ve been going for boys, I need more of a man.”
Who does she have her eye on? Luke M
ITV
Priscilla Anyabu
Age: 25
From: Battersea
Occupation: Model and operations manager
She says: “I did a few pageants. I won Miss Face of Africa, that was nice. I’ve done quite a few music videos in the Afrobeat industry, including for Fuse ODG and Wretch 32.”
Who does she have her eye on? Mike, Nas and Luke M
ITV
Jordan Waobikeze
Age: 24
From: London
Occupation: Administrator
He says: “I like to knit and I’m pretty good at it.”
Who does he have his eye on? “All of them.”
ITV
Jade Affleck
Age: 25
From: Yarm
Occupation: Sales professional
She says: “Some guys are coupled up but that’s a minor setback for me, I’ll do anything it takes to get my man.”
Who does she have her eye on? Luke M, Finley and Callum
ITV
What will happen?
Monday night’s episode sees they boys given the secret mission of packing up and leaving the main villa without the girls realising.
There’s immediate frustration from Shaughna, who is annoyed to discover Callum has not left anything behind in their bed for her, unlike Finn, Luke T and Nas, who left gifts for Paige, Siannise and Demi.
“Every single bed had stuff on it apart from mine,” she complains. “I go for the idiots all the time. I just feel like it’s happening again. It’s just annoying.”
Luke M is the most excited for Casa Amor, having just lost Jess to Mike, and it isn’t long before he develops an attraction to Molly.
“My jaw just hit the floor,” he admits in the Beach Hut. “She is just like fire. She is just the full package. I can’t wait to get to know her. Wow!”
However, Molly also catches the eye of Callum, who shocks Finn as the pair start to flirt and get to know one another.
And when talk turns to the sleeping situation that night, is Callum about to invite a new bombshell into his bed?
Meanwhile, Laura Whitmore arrives in the main villa to surprise the girls with news of the new boys’ arrival.
It isn’t long before Shaughna finds herself on the receiving end of Josh’s advances, who tells her he feels he “can give her a bit more than Callum can give”.
Does this spell the beginning of the end for the show’s most stable couple?
What drama has unfolded in previous series?
Casa Amor has served up some of the most memorable – and indeed controversial – moments in Love Island history.
Back in series three, the main villa was sent a postcard that showed Kem Cetinay cracking on with Chyna Ellis behind Amber Davies’ back, which effectively ended their relationship, albeit temporarily.
Then in 2018, the show received over 2500 Ofcom complaints when Dani Dyer was sent a video message of Jack Fincham reacting to the arrival of his ex Ellie Jones in Casa Amor.
Many complained the producers had caused her unnecessary emotional distress given there was nothing going on between them.
Series four also saw Josh Denzel and Kaz Crossley get close in Casa Amor while Georgia Steel was back in the main villa stating her belief that he would stay “loyal” to her.
However, there was drama at the recoupling when Josh walked back into the villa with Kaz, leaving Georgia with a face like absolute thunder.
Similar scenes unfolded in 2019, when Michael Griffiths chose to recouple with Joanna Chimonides, despite being in a seemingly steady relationship with Amber Gill beforehand.
Love Island airs Sunday to Friday at 9pm on ITV2.
