Love Island viewers were divided on Monday night as the series 10 opener introduced a format change that some claimed 'ruined' the episode, with comparisons drawn to Netflix's Too Hot To Handle. The ITV2 dating show returned with host Maya Jama welcoming a new group of singletons, but the public had already voted on the initial couplings, leaving contestants confused.
The new islanders arrived simultaneously, with beautician Ruchee Gurung, 24, from Sutton, Surrey, and Jess Harding, 22, from London, first to enter. They were joined by gas engineer Mitchel Taylor, 26, from Sheffield. Model Ella Thomas, 23, from Glasgow, and business owner Andre Furtado, 21, from Dudley, followed. Maya Jama announced: 'None of you guys will be coupling up with each other as that decision has already been made by the public.'
Jess was paired with business development executive George Fensom, 24, from Bedford, who was 'very happy' as she was his 'type on paper'. However, Jess later admitted she preferred 'bad boy' types. Communications manager Mehdi Edno, 26, from Bordeaux, was paired with Ruchee, who said he was 'growing on her'. Musical theatre performer Molly Marsh, 21, from Doncaster, and Mitchel hit it off immediately, with Mitchel flirting: 'I'm really picky, for starters the name has got to be Molly.'
Estate agent Catherine Agbaje, 22, from Dublin, and Andre were drawn to each other, but semi-professional footballer Tyrique Hyde and Ella had an awkward start when she reminded him they had met before. Tyrique initially did not remember her, later blaming her hair colour change. Later, the girls were dared to reveal if they were unhappy with their partner, with two stepping forward. Maya then announced a new bombshell: personal trainer and basketball player Zachariah Noble, 25, from south-east London.
The format change sparked backlash on social media, with fans demanding the return of the original coupling method. One viewer wrote: 'This public coupling should have stayed with the winter season #LoveIsland.' Another said: 'The public voting for who matches really ruins it for me idk.' Some compared it to Too Hot To Handle, with one fan asking: 'Is this too hot to handle?? #LoveIsland.' However, a minority welcomed the mix-up, with one viewer saying: 'This is giving Too Hot To Handle entrance, here for the mix up #loveisland.'
