We’ve waited nearly two years for a summer Love Island and *totally* deserve the gossip on who’s in the new cast . While the likes of Paige Turley and Finley Tapp held the fort with a winter version in South Africa at the start of 2020, the summer one just hits a bit differently.
Love Island 2021 is hitting up our screens every evening from the end of June, and rumours about the contestants and cast heading into the villa are already in full swing. Here’s everything you need to know about the speculated contestants, including their names, ages, and occupations!
1. Rumoured Love Island cast – Lucinda Strafford
According to The Sun, Lucinda, who used to date footballer Aaron Connolly, is eyeing up a place in the villa after losing her cabin crew job.
“Love Island producers approached Lucinda before. She rejected the previous offer as she was flying with British Airways. But she was made redundant after Covid,” the source said.
“She’s had a really lengthy psych evaluation so it looks like she’s going in.”
2. Rumoured Love Island cast – Aimee-Rose Francis
The latest rumoured cast member for the 2021 villa is Aimee-Rose Francis, an influencer from Chelsea. According to The Sun, “Producers are nearly there with their cast and Aimee is top of their list. She’s incredibly well-educated, has bags of personality and isn’t afraid to stand up for herself.”
They added, “She could have walked straight off reality show Made In Chelsea. Bosses think she’ll be a great addition.”
3. Rumoured Love Island cast – Holly Ramsay
Chef Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Holly was being eyed up by Love Island producers, according to The Sun. “Holly’s been brought up to work hard, show respect and not to rely on her dad’s celebrity,” their source said. “She’s finding her own way and will be successful in her own right.”
A Ramsay representative later denied she’d appear on the show, though, telling The Mirror: “This is not true. Holly has no interest in joining the show although she has been approached many times.”
4. Rumoured Love Island cast – Toluwa Adepeju
After the success of Dr Alex George in the villa, ITV2 are apparently eyeing up Dr. Toluwa Adepeju, 25, for the new show. “He’s led from the very front – in hospital and online, educating people of the risks and the need to get vaccinated,” a source told The Sun. “He is a perfect pick. He’s modest, down to earth and loves what he does.”
5. Rumoured Love Island cast – Alexis Bailey
Alexis is 21, was runner-up in the Miss Manchester pageant in 2019 and is an aerial dancer and fire eater in Ibiza. A source told The Sun: “She loves sex and is always talking about it. She’s very open about it but is incredibly likeable and loves to party.
“There are no limits as far as she is concerned and she very much wears her heart on her sleeve. It’s fair to say she will bring some heat to the villa.”
6. Rumoured Love Island cast – Harley Benn
24-year-old amateur boxer Harley was apparently being eyed up for a spot in the winter Love Island villa, with a source at The Sun explaining, “Harley’s already got a huge following and gets loads of attention from the girls.
“He’s had video meetings with the casting team and everyone is very excited at the prospect of having him on the show.”
7. Rumoured Love Island cast – Alisha Lemay
According to MailOnline, the influencer was a potential for the Winter Love Island cast, and as she didn’t make it, maybe could be a shoe-in for the summer show? “Alisha is exactly the type of contestant ITV2 are looking for — she’s gorgeous, body confident and isn’t afraid to be herself,” the insider said.
“She’s an advocate of body positivity and often admits on her Instagram to never wanting to be perfect, which is an important message to young viewers of the show too.”
8. Rumoured Love Island cast – Ellis Iyayi
Model and influencer Ellis could also be lounging around the pool and taking part in recouplings, too. Ellis was widely rumoured to be appearing in the winter series of the show last year, with a source at The Sun commenting at the time, “Ellis is over the moon about it – he’s had to be sworn to secrecy about it but he’s been in to meet producers a few times and they love him – he can’t wait to get in the villa. Ellis is exactly what the show is looking for and he ticks all the boxes – he will make great television.” Whether he’s back in the running this year, we’ll just have to wait and see.
9. Rumoured Love Island cast – Jay Munro
Another Winter Love Island cast rumour was Jay, a former footballer and contestant on The Voice Australia. A source told the Daily Star, “Jay will be the one all the girls will be chasing. Just like Tommy Fury, he’s a sportsman, in good shape and has dreamy looks. The brown-haired hunk has already proven his chops on TV.”