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Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
A Maura lookalike & Arabella Chi's double… Love Island's predictable ‘clone' casting proves ITV is running out of ideas
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island's back, baby - and with it comes a brand new crop of Islanders all ready to storm the famous villa and snog their way to everlasting love. But who are these new faces that promise to occupy our summer viewing schedule and keep us hooked every night? 19 Host Maya Jama will be welcoming the new contestants to the villa on Monday Credit: ITV Well, in a case of mildly disappointing déjà vu, they seem to be the same faces we've seen for the last 10 years and counting. Yes, it's been a decade now since Love Island debuted on our TV screens - and those 10 years have produced more lookalikes than the permanent exhibition at Madame Tussauds. Every year we see a merry band of twentysomething singletons rock up in their skimpies, swearing they're so unique in their quest to find the one. And every year, without fail, they all look just the same as the ones who went before them. Honestly, how unique can you be when you're primped, buffed and preened to look like a walking, talking Love Island animatron, freshly churned out from the reality TV factory? The answer is: not very. When it comes to the girls, it's safe to say they ring a certain bell with their deep spray tans, and long wavy hair. Case in point, we have Dubliner Megan Forte Clarke, who could easily be a stand-in for fellow Irish lass and former villa dweller Maura Higgins. The two may not be related, but maybe there's something in the water over on the Emerald Isle. Then there are the boys, whose pecs are chiselled in the likeness of their predecessors. Ten Years of Love Island 19 Is that you, Maura? No, it's Megan Forte Clarke 19 We first thought Alima Gagio was Yewande from season five Take Tommy Bradley, whose megawatt smile and perfectly coiffed helmet hair make him an uncanny replacement for former winner Jack Fincham. Other clones - sorry, contestants - in the mix include Alima Gagio, Dejon Noel-Williams, Helena Ford and Megan Moore, who all bear glaring similarities with bygone Love Islanders. And it's not just the aesthetics. Already, we have the newbies promising us they're single and ready to mingle. But as they utter tired lines like 'my type on paper', 'putting all my eggs in one basket' and 'can I pull you for a chat?', it feels - once again - like we're just re-watching previous seasons. Even Iain Stirling can't hide his ennui. His voiceovers during the All Stars season in January hinted at a funnyman who knows he's worn out the same jokes about the same contestants ad nauseam. In the past, of course, the show has been slammed for its lack of diversity when it comes to race, age and body type - something producers have tried to improve upon. But as the new Islanders were unveiled this week, it was clear that producers hadn't tried hard enough. So, the question is why? There's an old adage: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And when it comes to the show's casting process, that seems to be ITV's MO. But the trouble is, it is broke. Earlier this year the show garnered 1.2m viewers for its grand final, which pales in comparison to the 3.4m people who tuned in to watch the show's final in 2019. Meanwhile rival reality show The Traitors, which actually casts normal-looking people with genuinely interesting backstories, pulled in more than seven million people for its explosive finale back in January. Clearly we're all getting a little tired of Love Island's same old song and dance routine - and the same roster of challenges, from Snog, Marry, Pie to the heart rate challenge. And ITV don't seem to be paying any attention. They're evidently looking for the daters who are 100 per cent their type on paper - even if they're copying and pasting, year by year. Will we still be watching? Yes, absolutely. But don't blame us if we still confuse the new Islanders for their bygone love-a-likes. The differences are subtle. Even Iain Stirling would struggle to tell them apart. Megan Forte Clarke and Maura Higgins 19 Megan is entering the villa on Monday Credit: Instagram/@meghanforteclarke 19 She'll be following in the footsteps of her villa lookalike, Maura New recruit Megan, 24, may have played the ugly stepsister in a panto production of Cinderella, but she's gunning for her own happy ever after in the villa. And judging by her striking looks, she won't be getting any boos and hisses inside. Followers have already compared her to Maura, 34, whose own modelling career skyrocketed after appearing in Love Island season five. Whether she meets the one or not, odds are that Megan's set for a similar trajectory (Oh no she isn't! Oh yes she is!) Dejon Noel-Williams and Omar Nyame 19 Dejon is used to whipping his personal training clients into shape Credit: Instagram/@dejonnoelwilliams 19 His lookalike, Omar, was also in the fitness biz as a PE teacher Credit: Instagram/@omarnyame Personal trainer, Dejon, 26, must be used to having clients begging to look just like him. But the former footballer isn't the first to rock a hot bod and braided hair. That mantle was taken last year - and again, in this year's All Stars villa - by former PE teacher Omar, 26. The pair could be twins; but what we want to know is, who would beat the other in a cardio challenge? Ben Holbrough and Adam Collard 19 Ben is a model in his day job Credit: Instagram/@ 19 His doppelganger, Adam, is also partial to a pose or two Credit: Instagram/@adamcollard When he's not modelling, Ben likes going to the gym… just like Adam, who - when he's not modelling - likes going to the gym. But while Ben is hardly vertically challenged at 6ft 2ins, it seems he'll still be looking up to his season four doppelganger, who stands tall at 6ft 5ins. Other than that, they're indistinguishable. We assume, given that we can't crane our necks that high to see. Alima Gagio and Yewande Biala 19 Alima has brains and beauty Credit: Instagram/@alimsssx 19 Just like her double, Yewande Credit: ITV Hailing from Glasgow, Alima, 23, says she's a good flirt. Here's hoping she has more luck in the villa than her doppelganger Yewande, 29, who was booted out of the villa after her partner Danny recoupled with Arabella. Meanwhile, it's not just beauty that these two have in common - they have the brains to match. While Yewande is a scientist, with a masters in pharmaceutical quality assurance and regulation, Alima is a client services executive in wealth management. Whether she cashes in once in the villa remains to be seen. Helena Ford and Arabella Chi 19 Helena loves travelling and posting pictures from sunkissed locations Credit: instagram 19 Arabella is a dead ringer - both in looks and in tropical locations Credit: Instagram/@arabellachi One of them is a smouldering blonde with fierce eyebrows and a jetset lifestyle… the other is a smouldering blonde with fierce eyebrows and a jetset lifestyle. But while Arabella, 34, who's had two unsuccessful stints in the villa, has recently welcomed her first baby, newbie Helena is on a very different path. Heading into the villa, the cabin crew member is looking for an excuse to finally settle down. And if she doesn't triumph this time round, she can always become an All Star like her Love Island lookalike. Tommy Bradley and Jack Fincham 19 Tommy's been pegged as the cheeky chappy of this year's Love Island Credit: instagram/_tommybradley_/ 19 Making him a worthy successor to the OG cheeky chappy, Jack Credit: ITV We had to do a double-take when we first saw Tommy, who - with his porcelain gnashers and helmet hair is the double of season five winner Jack, 34. Just like Jack, Tommy's been dubbed the 'cheeky chappy' of this year's villa - and, in another case of history repeating itself, he's also a keen boxer. However, unlike Jack, he's entering the villa absolutely ripped following a serious body overhaul. Very cheeky. Megan Moore and Shaughna Phillips 19 Megan's all set to look for love in this year's villa Credit: @Instagram/@ 19 Hopefully she'll have better luck than Shaughna did in 2020 Credit: Instagram/@shaughnaphillips Seasoned traveller Megan is often posting photos from sun-drenched locations - so she'll be in familiar surroundings in Spain. But will she have the same rollercoaster journey as Shaughna, 31, who quickly coupled up with Callum in season six, before being jilted after he went to Casa Amor? Still Shaughna clawed back her pride, uttering the iconic line, 'Congrats, hun.' If Megan tops that…well, congrats, hun. Lucy Quinn and Samantha Kenny 19 Lucy's set to enter as a bombshell Credit: Instagram/@lucyquinnmakeup_ 19 But will she have better luck than Samantha did last year? Credit: Instagram/@samanthakenny__ If you squint hard enough, these two are tough to tell apart. At least, they would be after two of those allocated Love Island vinos they get every night. New recruit Lucy, 20, is believed to be going in as a bombshell and has told insiders she's single and ready to mingle. Let's hope she has better luck than Samantha, who hooked up with Joey Essex, before he dumped her for Grace. Still both girls are make-up artists, so they're primed to paint smiles on their faces, whatever the outcome.
Scottish Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Love Island 2025's official cast pics revealed ahead of show launch
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE new series of Love Island is just days away and fans have been given their first look at the singletons moving into the villa this year. Love Island host Maya Jama will kick off the brand new series on Monday, June 9. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 13 It's almost time for Maya to kick off another series of Love Island Credit: Shutterstock But fans didn't have to wait to find out which new Islanders will be gracing our screens this summer, with The Sun exclusively revealing them over the weekend. Now take a look at the official Love Island 2025 photos... Dejon Noel-Williams 13 Dejon Noel-Williams Credit: Shutterstock Personal trainer Dejon is a secret nepo-baby. He said of parent Gifton Noel-Williams, 45, who has played for Stoke City, Waford and Burnley to name a few: "My dad being an ex-professional footballer. "I've met all kinds of famous people through him. "When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos." Sophie Lee 13 Sophie Lee Credit: Shutterstock Sophie is an influencer who almost died in a freak accident on stage in Chicago seven years ago. The dancer and model, from Manchester, was left with horror burns when an air conditioning unit blew flames back in her face. Sophie has written a book about her experience and has worked with The Katie Piper Foundation, helping fellow burns victims. Megan Moore 13 Megan Moore Credit: Shutterstock Gorgeous girl Megan is fan of travelling the world. The influencer was last snapped in Spain just two weeks ago as she topped up her tan ahead of her big villa entrance. Ten Years of Love Island Megan is a payroll specialist from Southampton and said of her dream man: "I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with." Tommy Bradley 13 Tommy Bradley Credit: Shutterstock Cheeky chappy Tommy Bradley is in tip top shape for the Love Island villa after undergoing a dramatic body transformation. Tommy - who works as a landscape gardener - documented his prep for the ITV2 dating show on Instagram by posting a stream of videos of his gym sessions. He was helped by his brother Jamie Bradley, who is a boxer, and the pair love a night out together with the lads Alima Gagio 13 Alima Gagio Credit: Shutterstock Alima Gagio is another of this year's lot who brings a lot more to the table than just 10/10 looks. The stunning Scot has an BA Hons degree in International Business and now works in wealth management. Ben Holbrough 13 Ben Holbrough Credit: Shutterstock Buff Ben will feel right at home with his top off in the Majorcan sunshine. The model is 6ft 2ins and is a big fan of showing off his six pack in mirror selfies on social media. In a video on his Star Now modelling page, he says: "My main line of work is modelling, which I've been doing for about five or six years now. "But when I'm not doing that, my hobbies are either going to the gym or playing football." Shakira Khan 13 Shakira Khan Credit: ITV Shakira Khan likes the finer things in life. The 22-year-old's Instagram page is filled with gorgeous travel snaps from Haiti, Dubai and New York - and she's not afraid of a bikini showcase too. Megan Forte Clarke 13 Megan Forte Clark Credit: Shutterstock Stunning actress Megan will definitely turn a few heads this summer. Megan originally hails from Ireland but trained at The Brighton Academy of performing arts and musical theatre. She has more than 20,000 followers on TikTok and isn't afraid to take the mickey out of herself. Blu Chegini 13 Blu Chegini Credit: ITV Businessman Blu will be swapping his wardrobe of smart suits for swimming trucks when he walks into the villa. Blu is based in London and currently works as a construction project manager. He graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2023 with a Bsc Hons in Construction Project Management and works for a firm in the captial's swanky Fitzrovia. Helena Ford 13 Helena Ford Credit: Shutterstock Blonde beauty Helena Ford hopes to find herself a match in the Love Island villa. The gorgeous influencer is already mates with Love Island alumni Zara McDermott and loves travelling the world as a member of cabin crew. Harry Cooksley 13 Harry Cooksley Credit: ITV Footballer Harry Cooksley is set to bring his fancy footwork to the Love Island villa. The midfielder, 30, is said to be known as The Surrey Zidane by fans of his side, Farnham Town Kyle Ashman 13 Kyle Ashman Credit: Shutterstock Unlike most of Love Island's line-ups, Kyle doesn't come into the villa with a social media packed with model shots. The hunk has just one snap online, showing off his rippling six-pack as he poses on a rooftop.
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Love Island 2025's official cast pics revealed ahead of show launch
THE new series of Love Island is just days away and fans have been given their first look at the singletons moving into the villa this year. Love Island host 13 It's almost time for Maya to kick off another series of Love Island Credit: Shutterstock But fans didn't have to wait to find out which new Islanders will be gracing our screens this summer, with The Sun Now take a look at the official Love Island 2025 photos... Dejon Noel-Williams 13 Dejon Noel-Williams Credit: Shutterstock Personal trainer Dejon is He said of parent Gifton Noel-Williams, 45, who has played for Stoke City, Waford and Burnley to name a few: "My dad being an ex-professional footballer. More on Love Island "I've met all kinds of famous people through him. "When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we'd go to a game and fans were asking for photos." Sophie Lee 13 Sophie Lee Credit: Shutterstock The dancer and model, from Manchester, was left with horror burns when an air conditioning unit blew flames back in her face. Most read in Love Island Sophie has written a book about her experience and has worked with The Katie Piper Foundation, helping fellow burns victims. Megan Moore 13 Megan Moore Credit: Shutterstock Gorgeous girl Megan is fan of travelling the world. The influencer was last snapped in Spain just two weeks ago as she topped up her tan ahead of her big villa entrance. Ten Years of Love Island Megan is a payroll specialist from Southampton and said of her dream man: "I'd like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with." Tommy Bradley 13 Tommy Bradley Credit: Shutterstock Cheeky chappy Tommy - who works as a landscape gardener - documented his prep for the ITV2 dating show on Instagram by posting a stream of videos of his gym sessions. He was helped by his brother Jamie Bradley, who is a boxer, and the pair love a night out together with the lads Alima Gagio 13 Alima Gagio Credit: Shutterstock Alima Gagio is another of this year's lot who brings a lot more to the table than just 10/10 looks. The stunning Scot has an BA Hons degree in International Business and now works in wealth management. Ben Holbrough 13 Ben Holbrough Credit: Shutterstock Buff Ben will feel right at home with his top off in the Majorcan sunshine. The model is 6ft 2ins and is a big fan of showing off his six pack in mirror selfies on social media. In a video on his Star Now modelling page, he says: "My main line of work is modelling, which I've been doing for about five or six years now. "But when I'm not doing that, my hobbies are either going to the gym or playing football." Shakira Khan 13 Shakira Khan Credit: ITV The 22-year-old's Instagram page is filled with gorgeous travel snaps from Haiti, Dubai and New York - and she's not afraid of a bikini showcase too. Megan Forte Clarke 13 Megan Forte Clark Credit: Shutterstock Stunning actress Megan will definitely turn a few heads this summer. Megan originally hails from Ireland but trained at The Brighton Academy of performing arts and musical theatre. She has more than 20,000 followers on TikTok and isn't afraid to take the mickey out of herself. Blu Chegini 13 Blu Chegini Credit: ITV Businessman Blu will be swapping his wardrobe of smart suits for swimming trucks when he walks into the villa. Blu is based in London and currently works as a construction project manager. He graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2023 with a Bsc Hons in Construction Project Management and works for a firm in the captial's swanky Fitzrovia. Helena Ford 13 Helena Ford Credit: Shutterstock Blonde beauty Helena Ford hopes to find herself a match in the Love Island villa. The gorgeous influencer is already mates with Love Island alumni Zara McDermott and loves travelling the world as a member of cabin crew. Harry Cooksley 13 Harry Cooksley Credit: ITV Footballer Harry Cooksley is set to bring his fancy footwork to the Love Island villa. The midfielder, 30, is said to be known as The Surrey Zidane by fans of his side, Farnham Town Kyle Ashman 13 Kyle Ashman Credit: Shutterstock Unlike most of Love Island's line-ups, Kyle doesn't come into the villa with a social media packed with model shots. The hunk has just one snap online, showing off his rippling six-pack as he poses on a rooftop.
Glasgow Times
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Love Island 2025: Glasgow university graduate 'to join line up'
Alima Gagio is said to be joining the cast of the popular ITV2 dating show, which is set to kick off next Monday at a luxury villa in Majorca. According to her Instagram page, Alima graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University after completing a BA Honours degree in International Business in 2023. The 2025 cast is also said to include a footballer, a personal trainer, models, and a businessman, The Scottish Sun reports. READ NEXT: Glasgow's Jamie Genevieve hints at secret new chapter ahead However, an ITV spokesperson stated that the official lineup will be confirmed 'in due course'. They said: 'As always, there is a lot of speculation around the Love Island line-up - we will be announcing the Love Island 2025 cast in due course.' This year's Love Island will be presented by Maya Jama.
