It’s been a white knuckle ride for Love Island fans over the past 15 months as we waited to hear news about when and how the beloved ITV reality series would be returning to our screens.
For obvious reasons, summer Love Island 2020 was cancelled and winter Love Island 2021 didn’t even get a look in. However, on June 16, 2021, our prayers were finally answered, with an announcement that season seven was going ahead and the summer of love could finally begin. Even better, it’s been announced that this year’s show will last for eight glorious, sun-drenched weeks. And although there’s been no official confirmation on where the villa is, all signs seem to point to the OG Love Island home: Mallorca.
But what about the most important part – the islanders?
Fans already have a lot of questions: Who are they? Where are they from? What do they do? What’s their type on paper? And, most importantly, where can we follow them on Instagram? (Because, let’s face it, half the fun of watching Love Island is nosing through the contestants’ socials during ad breaks.) To help you out, we’ve gathered together all the info you need about this year’s romantic hopefuls.
Sharon Gaffka
Age: 25
Occupation: Civil servant
Hometown: Oxford
Type on paper: “I have this thing where if something doesn’t work out with one person, I’ll try and go for the other extreme to see if that works out. I tend to date someone who is taller than me, even though my last long-term partner, he was actually someone who was shorter than me. I’m quite an intellectual person so I want someone who can kind of match that.”
Instagram: @sharongaffka
Aaron Francis
Age: 24
Occupation: Luxury events host
Hometown: London
Type on paper: “I need someone that is passionate about what they are doing – from scientist to anything – you can tell when someone is speaking about something and they are actually smiling while they are talking. I love that. I don’t like when people are doing a job just to make money and then they kind of just live for the weekend. Especially because I work on the weekends.”
Instagram: @aaronfrancis
Liberty Poole
Age: 21
Occupation: Waitress & marketing student
Hometown: Birmingham
Type on paper: “I like tall, alpha male, confident, a cheeky chappy sort of guy. But obviously that’s always usually combined with player types, which is where I go wrong. So I am trying to change my ways and go for more of a nicer guy that is going to treat me right.”
Instagram: @libertypoolex
Hugo Hammond
Age: 24
Occupation: PE teacher
Hometown: Hampshire (technically a county, we know)
Type on paper: No details have been released about the kind of person Hammond will be looking for, but watch this space…
Instagram: @hugo_hammond_
Shannon Singh
Age: 22
Occupation: Model
Hometown: Fife
Type on paper: “I don’t feed off looks, I feed off energy, I need someone with personality. Just someone I can have fun with. I’m a party girl, I love going out, I’m very social. For me it’s quite hard to find people who are genuine and looking for what you’re looking for. I’m not just going to go with anyone because they’re convenient. I need to make sure they’re for me. Looks – obviously, they’ve got to be handsome, but if he’s a handsome hunk but it’s like talking to a brick wall and I’d rather watch paint dry, it’s not going to be great.”
Instagram: @shannonsinghhh
Jake Cornish
Age: 24
Occupation: Water engineer
Hometown: Weston-super-Mare
Type on paper: “Looks wise, always gone for blondes. But for me, the main thing is having respect and having good fun, and someone who will be loyal to you. I’ve had messages from girls that have got boyfriends and husbands. This is why I don’t trust anyone. Someone who is loyal really. But when I’m single, I like having a good time!”
Instagram: @jakecornish7
Kaz Kamwi
Age: 26
Occupation: Fashion blogger
Hometown: Essex
Type on paper: No word yet on the kind of person Kaz is looking for, but watch this space.
Instagram: @kazkamwi
Chloe Burrows
Age: 25
Occupation: Financial service marketing executive
Hometown: Bicester
Type on paper: “I like a good build. I go to the gym. I want someone who is funny. Really funny and caring and will do nice little things for you. And then obviously someone who you can depend on to not ditch you. Because I am quite a big character and quite loud, they would have to be as loud, if not more. I could never be with someone who is quiet. Someone that gives you a bit back.”
Instagram: @chloe__burrows
Liam Reardon
Age: 21
Occupation: Bricklayer
Hometown: South Wales
Type on paper: “They have to be fun, outgoing,” says Liam. “A big thing for me is independence. I want them to want me, not need me.” He’s also already said he’s got his eye on Kaz and Chloe…
Instagram: @liamreardon1
Chuggs Wallis
Age: 23
Occupation: Business owner – customised hats
Hometown: Surrey
Type on paper: “I need someone to be my best mate. I need someone who is going to muck in with my brothers, my family. I’ve got a mate who has a girlfriend, she plays rugby, golf… everything with us. She’s great, she gets involved. I want something like that.”
Instagram: @chuggswallis
Rachel Finni
Age: 29
Occupation: Luxury travel specialist
Hometown: London
Type on paper: “I love the way modern relationships are. I don’t need a man for anything. I can buy my own home and take care of myself. I just love knowing I have another person there that I’m going through life with. But I genuinely have no type. As long as you are sexy, smell nice, don’t bite your nails or chew loudly, have me.”
Instagram: @rayfinn
Millie Court
Age: 24
Occupation: Fashion Buyer’s Administrator
Hometown: Essex
Type on paper: “I’ve been single for over a year now. I’m ready to find ‘the one’. I’m a very spontaneous and adventurous person. I’m always up for doing something new and challenging myself. I’ve never done anything like this before. I just want to throw myself into it and have fun with it.”
Instagram: @milliegracecourt
Lucinda Strafford
Age: 21
Occupation: Online Fashion Boutique Owner
Hometown: Brighton
Type on paper: “I’m a relationship kind of girl. The timing is right and I want to have some fun.”
Instagram: @lucindastrafford
Editor’s note: This piece is being continually updated to reflect incoming news about this year’s Love Island contestants.
