The highly anticipated return of Love Island: All Stars finally graced television screens tonight, delivering immediate drama as the first couples were decided by a public vote, leading to some seriously awkward reunions.
A Delayed But Dramatic Launch
The third series of the All Stars edition kicked off on ITV2 on Monday, 15th January 2026, after a brief delay. Production was temporarily shut down and the villa evacuated due to safety concerns surrounding wildfires in South Africa. ITV confirmed the series would proceed only after ensuring the complete safety of the cast and crew.
The episode introduced 12 former Islanders back into the iconic villa for another chance at romance. The lineup spanned several series, from series seven's Millie Court to series nine's Shaq Muhammad. The night began with flirtatious conversations, including Tommy Bradley and Jess Harding discussing texts they'd exchanged outside the villa, followed by a kissing-based icebreaker challenge.
The Public's First Coupling Verdict
After the steamy challenge, host Maya Jama revealed the results of the inaugural public vote, which determined the initial pairings. The couples formed were:
- Sean and Belle Hassan
- Jack Keating and Whitney Adebayo
- Tommy Bradley and Jess Harding
- Shaq Muhammad and Leanne Amaning
- Ciaran Davies and Millie Court
However, the voting threw up two particularly uncomfortable matches, steeped in past history.
Awkward History Comes Back to Haunt Islanders
The most glaringly awkward pairing was Helena Ford with Charlie Frederick. Their past connection resurfaced when an old tweet from Helena, dating back to 2018, was referenced. In the tweet, written before her Love Island fame, she allegedly stated: "Nah that Charlie Fredrick [sic] kid got my 16th party closed down, said I looked like a dolphin." Helena had even pointedly chosen Charlie earlier as the boy who would be 'no good' for her.
Another tense match was Shaq and Leanne. During the challenge, Leanne had selected Shaq as 'no good' for her because she is friends with his ex-girlfriend, Tanya Manhenga. Shaq and Tanya met on Love Island in 2023, finishing in fourth place, but split in August 2024.
Interestingly, Jess Harding was the only woman paired with a boy she had kissed during the icebreaker. In contrast, Whitney, Belle, and Millie all found themselves coupled with men they had deemed 'no good' for them.
Love Island: All Stars continues weeknights at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
