If it feels like Love Island has only just ended, that’s because it has.
But while the South African pool water is still warm, the Spanish island of Mallorca has welcomed a new crop of permanently tanned singletons for the eleventh series of the long-running show.
And an early look at Monday night’s opening episode – the first in a new eight-week series of pies, fire pits and little strops – suggests they’re in for more than they bargained for.
Indeed, the new islanders don’t have time to lace up their boots before they’re confronted with a double twist, courtesy of host Maya Jama.
“Welcome to Love Island,” she tells them. “It’s nice to meet you guys, but I think we need to play a game to get things started.”
Monday night can only mean one thing: the return of Love Island, and host Maya Jama is back to deliver a double twist
Indeed, the new islanders don’t have time to lace up their boots before they’re faced with a double twist
After being split into boy and girl groups, the perplexed islanders are given an unenviable challenge by the host, who arrives in typical style by wearing a revealing white lace mini dress.
“You’ve already gotten to know each other, so you’ve had plenty of time for first impressions, right?”
‘The first impression counts. Now, boys and girls, I want you to rate each other in order of who you think has come across the most boyfriend and girlfriend material, down to who has made the least relationship sense.”
The girls then gather and organize the boys from most to least based on who they think is boyfriend material.
Soon it’s the guys’ turn to rank the girls from most to least based on who they think is girlfriend material. And their decision immediately sparks controversy, with Maya revealing a second twist.
“Well, that was very interesting,” she crows. “I bet you’re wondering how we’re going to set you up. Well, you did it yourself!’
The new twist – a first for Love Island – means each girl will pair up with whoever is placed in the same position as them on the scale from most to least.
And it doesn’t end there for the gang: Maya returns later that evening to deliver even more unexpected news as they gather around the fire pit.
After being split into boy and girl groups, the perplexed islanders (pictured) are given an unenviable challenge by the host.
The new twist – a first for Love Island – means each girl will pair up with whoever is placed in the same position as them on the scale from most to least
And it doesn’t end there for the gang, as Maya returns later that evening to deliver even more unexpected news as they gather around the fire pit.
“It’s good to see you’re all settled in, but as you know, you’re on Love Island,” she tells them. ‘You should always expect the unexpected’
It comes after the show’s executive producer told MailOnline that the line-up in this series will be paired up in a whole new way, which could leave them vulnerable
“It’s good to see you’re all settled in, but as you know, you’re on Love Island,” she tells them. ‘You should always expect the unexpected.’
But what does it all mean?
It comes after the show’s executive producer told MailOnline that the line-up in this series will be paired up in a completely new way, which could leave them vulnerable.
Mike Spencer said: ‘We’ve also changed the format of day one and there will be something very new, it’s not a public vote… but there will be a new way of linking our Islanders together.
“I hope it will shock the islanders… I don’t want to say too much, but there will be an element of a new game that will lead to their pairings without them knowing.”
Keeping both viewers and contestants on their toes this season, Mike added: I think that’s what the audience wants and they want to be entertained all series. It’s good to keep things fresh and remind them that they are here to find love.”
Love Island airs on ITV2 from 9pm.