The launch of Love Island All Stars on ITV this week delivered drama, nostalgia, and one very significant case of viewer amnesia. As a fresh batch of familiar faces entered the South African villa, one returning Islander left fans utterly perplexed.
Who Is Charlie Frederick?
Among the twelve returning contestants was Charlie Frederick, 31, originally from the show's fourth series in 2018. His initial stint was remarkably brief; he entered as a bombshell but was dumped from the villa after just a few days alongside partner Hayley Hughes. The pair did not pursue a relationship outside the show, with Charlie later blaming Hayley for their early exit, stating at the time he would have "definitely coupled up with someone else" if he'd known he'd get "nothing back."
Despite this history, his return for the All Stars edition on Thursday night was met with widespread confusion. Viewers took to social media in droves to express they had no memory of him, even those who claimed to have watched his original series.
Viewer Reaction and Social Media Confusion
The reaction on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) was swift and unanimous in its bafflement. Fans posted comments such as: "Who even is this Charlie? He's peng tho. But don’t remember him at alllllllll," and "Charlie: 'feels so good to be back' Bro. Nobody even remember you the first time round." Others were more blunt, with posts reading "Idk who this Charlie guy is," and "I do not remember Charlie for the life of me." One viewer humorously noted, "Charlie having to introduce himself to everyone because no one knows him."
This collective memory lapse has not done Charlie any favours in the early betting odds. According to Ladbrokes, Charlie and series six star Leanne Amaning are the 6/1 favourites to be voted out first from the ITV2 series.
Whitney Adebayo's Triumphant Return
In stark contrast, the return of Whitney Adebayo was met with resounding support and excitement. Whitney, who finished as runner-up in the 2023 series with then-boyfriend Lochan Nowack, has endured a very public split and a subsequent legal battle. She publicly accused Nowack of using a racial slur, leading to a defamation case which was reportedly settled quietly in December.
Her entrance into the All Stars villa was hailed as a powerful moment. Fans praised her "revenge body" and resilient spirit, with posts celebrating her return: "Lochan seeing Whitney walk in..." and "Everytime Whitney's on my screen, I'm reminded of why I loved her so much in season 10."
The series, hosted by Maya Jama, also features other notable returnees including 2021 winner Millie Court, 29, Jack Keating, 26, and Jess Harding, 25. According to the same Ladbrokes odds, Millie and 2025 Islander Tommy Bradley are the current frontrunners to win, with impressive odds of 3/1. A spokesperson for the bookmaker said the latest odds suggest "Tommy and Millie will be the ones to beat."
As the All Stars series gets underway, it seems the villa's drama is starting before the couples have even been formed, blending forgotten histories with fresh hopes for a second chance at love.
