Maya Jama has revealed the date she will return for the Love Island final before the final on Monday.
After eight weeks of dramatic reconciliations, explosive fights, and brutal dumping, the winter series will finally come to a close on Monday night.
The presenter will hit the screens live from the villa in Cape Town for the finale, with the islanders also live for the first time since they entered the reality show.
She hasn’t yet set off for the southern tip of the African continent, but is expected to travel over the weekend to give her and the producers time to prepare for the finale.
The grand finale will take place on Monday 13 March and will be broadcast live from South Africa on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm Extended from the show’s usual one-hour duration, the episode will end at 10:35pm
Back in the village: Maya Jama, 28, will return to South Africa imminently as she prepares to present the show’s grand finale live for the first time, after taking over from Laura Whitmore, 37.
Fresh Face: In August 2022, Laura Whitmore announced that she had stepped down as the host of Love Island (pictured during the Love Island finale in August 2022)
Ready or not: Maya has yet to launch for the southern tip of the African continent, but is expected to launch over the weekend.
From the turmoil of Casa Amor wreaking havoc on relationships to Aussie Love Island legends Jessie Wynter and Aaron Waters returning to the show, there was plenty of action to get caught up in.
But after another couple of islanders said their goodbyes this week, the end is in sight for our last ten islanders.
During Tuesday night’s episode, a public vote expelled Casey O’Gorman and Rosie Seabrook from the villa because they were one of the three couples with the fewest votes.
Shaq and Tanya also found themselves in the bottom three section alongside Will and Jessie, suggesting that these two pairings could be more vulnerable than others going into the final.
There are still five couples left in the village, with one expected to lose their chance to win the show in the live finale.
The remaining couples are Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, Tom Clare and Samie Elishi, Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins, Will Young and Jessie Wynter, and Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga.
Joining the finalists and Maya, an audience will gather to see the winning moment in real life, as the past few days are summed up in pre-recorded segments.
On Thursday, Aftersun features Sam Thompson, 30, and Indiyah Polack, 24, who traveled to South Africa ahead of the big episode.
Final: The remaining couples are Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, Tom Clare and Samie Elishi, Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins, Will Young and Jessie Wynter, and Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga.
‘We’re going to South Africa baby!’ On Thursday, an excited Sam Thompson joined Aftersun host Indiyah Polack as they took off ahead of the Love Island finale.
Done: The Made In Chelsea star shared a clip as she sipped some soda in the airport lounge before boarding the plane with the influencer
The Made In Chelsea star shared a clip as she drank some soda in the airport lounge before boarding the plane with the influencer.
Looking buzzing, he wrote: ‘This is amazing! We’re going to South Africa baby!!! Living my dream!
Posing with Indiyah, he later joked: “I don’t sleep on flights…you’re in for a rough ride!”
The couple were joined by Millie Court and Chloe Burrows, Love Island alumni and best friends, who also shared their excitement about the trip.
Based on the public vote, one lucky couple will be crowned the winner of Winter Love Island during Monday’s live finale and awarded £50K to share.
While the show previously featured a “share or steal” segment in the finale, it likely won’t be featured this year.
Most of the show’s winners were handed an envelope each, one with £0 and one with £50K written on it, with the contestant holding the latter having the choice of keeping it all for himself or splitting it with his couple.
Crew! The couple were joined by Millie Court and Chloe Burrows, Love Island alumni and best friends, who also shared their excitement about the trip.
But during the summer 2022 edition of the show, winners Ekin-Su and Davide were not given this option, and the money was split automatically.
While the segment hasn’t been confirmed to be dropped, it’s likely that ITV has decided it’s no longer relevant, as all previous winners have split the cash.
In addition to money, islanders are often bombarded with press opportunities, brand partnerships and TV deals as they leave the village.
Which means that even if they don’t win the show, most islanders could have a more than satisfying payday away from the village.
LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Name: tanya manhenga
Age: 22
Location: Liverpool
Occupation: student and model
Something that not many people know about her: “I have vitiligo, which is a pigmentation of the skin, you may not even notice it.”
‘It’s on my lip and I have a part in my hair. Not many people know about it, but I think it’s pretty cute.
“I don’t mind covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe.”
Name: Lana Jenkins
Age: 25
Location: luton
Occupation: makeup artist
Something that not many people know about her: ‘In my work as a makeup artist I have worked with many celebrities.
“Also, when I was 6 years old I lived in Spain and was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.”
Name: Tom Clare
Age: 23
Location: barnsley
Occupation: Semi-professional footballer
Something not many people know about him: I’m a fan of High School Musical
Name: sami elishi
TOage: 22
Location: London
Occupation: Senior coordinator of real estate agents
Something that not many people know about her: I am a very honest person and I have no filter. I won’t take crap from anyone, especially when it comes to guys!’
Name: jessie winter
Age: 26
Location: sydney
Occupation: Personal trainer
Something you may not know about her: He was in the second season of Love Island Australia.
Name: kai fagan
Age: 24
Location: Manchester
Occupation: Science and physical education teacher
Something not many people know about him: ‘I am a citizen of Jamaica. That’s why I played rugby 7s for Jamaica.’
“Now I play semi-professional rugby for Burnage RFC.”
“Technically I got three different degrees and went to three different universities.”
Name: rum room
Age: 25
Location: essex
Occupation: Financial Advisor
Something not many people know about him: ‘When you meet me, you would never know that I am blind in one eye.’
“It was the result of a soccer injury when I was 8 years old. I have two different colored eyes, one blue and one green.”
Name: will be young
Age: 23
Location: buckinghamshire
Occupation: Farmer
Something not many people know about him: ‘Every night I light a candle and meditate for 20-25 minutes.’
‘A girl I was dating told me to meditate, I tried it and I loved it. I stopped watching her and kept meditating!
“It’s a good way to reflect on yourself.”
Name: shaq muhammad
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: airport security officer
Something not many people know about him: ‘I am a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse.
“Every time I watch Dear John I cry.
That is my favorite movie. Every time I’m with someone and they say, ‘Let’s watch a romantic movie,’ I’m like, ‘How about Dear John, how does that sound?’
Name: Sanam Harrinanan
Age:24
Location: Bedford
Occupation: Social worker
Who did you have your eye on at Casa Amor? ‘Kai is my number one. As for work, I think we would connect a lot and I think he’s cute!
