If it feels like Love Island has just ended, that’s because it is.
But while the water in the South African pool is still warm, the Spanish island of Mallorca has welcomed another crop of permanently tanned singles for the eleventh season of the long-running show.
And an early look at Monday night’s opening episode, the first in another exhaustive eight-week series of pies, bonfires and little strops, suggests they’re in for more than they bargained for.
In fact, the new islanders don’t have time to lace up their grafting boots before facing a double twist, courtesy of host Maya Jama.
“Welcome to Love Island,” he tells them. “It’s nice to meet you, but I think we should have a little game to get things going.”
Monday night can only mean one thing – the return of Love Island, and host Maya Jama is back to deliver a double twist.
In fact, the new islanders do not have time to lace up their grafting boots before facing a double twist.
After being divided into groups of boys and girls, the perplexed islanders receive an unenviable challenge from the host, who arrives in typical style, wearing a revealing white lace minidress.
‘You’ve already started getting to know each other, so you’ve had enough time for first impressions, right?
‘First impressions count. Guys and girls, now I want you to rate each other based on who you think came across the most as boyfriend-girlfriend material, to who gave off the least relationship vibes.’
The girls then gather and organize the boys from oldest to youngest according to who they think is a candidate for a boyfriend.
Soon, it’s the guys’ turn to place the girls from oldest to youngest in who they think is girlfriend material. And her decision immediately sparks controversy, with Maya revealing a second twist.
“Well, that was very interesting,” he boasts. ‘I bet you’re wondering how we’re going to get you together. Well, you did it yourselves!
The new twist, a first for Love Island, means each girl will be paired up with whoever is in the same position as them on the highest to lowest scale.
And it doesn’t end there for the gang, as Maya returns later that night to give them more unexpected news as they gather around the campfire.
After splitting into groups of boys and girls, the perplexed islanders (pictured) are given an unenviable challenge by the host.
The new twist, a first for Love Island, means each girl will be paired up with whoever is in the same position as them on the highest to lowest scale.
And it doesn’t end there for the gang, as Maya returns later that night to give them more unexpected news as they gather around the campfire.
“It’s good to see you’re all settled in, but as you know, you’re on Love Island,” he tells them. “You always have to expect the unexpected”
It comes after the show’s executive producer told MailOnline that the line-up will be combined in a completely new way in this series – which could leave them vulnerable.
“It’s good to see you’re all settled in, but as you know, you’re on Love Island,” he tells them. “You should always expect the unexpected.”
But what does all that mean?
It comes after the show’s executive producer told MailOnline that the line-up will be combined in a completely new way in this series – which could leave them vulnerable.
Mike Spencer said: ‘We’ve also changed the format of the first day and there will be something very new, it’s not a public vote… but there will be a new way of bringing our Islanders together.
“I hope it surprises 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 partners without them knowing.”
On keeping both viewers and contestants on their toes this season, Mike added: I think the audience wants that and they want to be entertained throughout the series and it’s good to keep things fresh and remind them that they’re here to find love.
Love Island airs on ITV2 from 9pm
