Love Island has received widespread praise from fans for including a 'hard of hearing' contestant in its upcoming series, continuing the legacy of former star Tasha Ghouri. The ITV2 dating show unveiled its latest lineup this week, introducing a fresh group of singletons set to enter the villa.
New Contestants Revealed
Among the new islanders is Samuel Workman, a 25-year-old electrician from Dudley, who proudly wore his hearing aids in promotional photos. Fans quickly noticed and flooded social media with supportive comments, celebrating the show's commitment to diversity.
One fan wrote: 'YAY second deaf representative,' while another added: 'Ahhh another deaf person, how awesome.' A third commented: 'Finally some diversity,' and a fourth agreed: 'I'm loving the slight diversity!'
Samuel follows Tasha Ghouri, 27, who appeared on the show in 2022 and openly discussed her deafness, using lip-reading and a cochlear implant. She described her condition as a 'superpower.'
Samuel's Journey
Samuel expressed his desire to find love, stating: 'My type on paper would be someone classy, mature, blonde, fun, and someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously. I definitely want to find love. I’ve had a good year being single and dating, but I’m at a stage now where I want to settle down and find the love of my life.'
Other Islanders
The lineup includes Lorenzo Alessi, 28, a business owner from Hertfordshire; Robyn, 21, a quantity surveyor and DJ from Liverpool; and Jasmine Muller, 27, a fashion business owner who previously dated Arsenal footballer Hector Bellerin. Jasmine hopes to avoid 'insecure men,' stating: 'I don’t think insecure men could handle me.'
Also joining are Mica, 21, a student from Barbados; Aidan, 23, a property broker from Kent; and Lola Deal, 28, a criminology graduate and detective from Kent. Lola holds a first-class degree in Criminology and Forensic Science from the University of Portsmouth.
More Contestants
Other islanders include Sean, 25, a primary school teacher from Galway; Ellie, 24, a real estate videographer from West Lothian; Samraj, 25, a model from Birmingham; Ope, 27, a West End performer from Lincolnshire; and Angelista, 24, a nurse from Staffordshire.
Return Date
Love Island 2026 returns on June 1 on ITV2, hosted by Maya Jama. The show coincides with the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19. ITV promises 'unforgettable moments, unmissable messiness, and plenty of romance.'
