Meet the cast of Love Island 2021 as reality show returns

Love Island returns to TV screens on Monday night.

A semi-professional footballer, a model and a luxury event host are among the singletons heading into the villa in Mallorca this year.

Here is a look at this year’s contestants:

Shannon Singh

Shannon Singh is a 22-year-old model from Fife.

She said she is looking for a “solid family life”, adding: “I want kids in five years, I’d love to be a mum by the time I’m 27.”

Sharon Gaffka

Civil servant Sharon Gaffka, 25, from Oxford, was previously an operations lead for the Department for Transport.

She said she does not want to be the only single person in her social circle, adding: “It’s been a bit of a running joke between my friendship group for a while that I should apply, probably because I’m the most outrageous one out of the group.”

Aaron Francis

Luxury events host Aaron Francis said the world of dating is “a little bit off” at the moment.

The 24-year-old, who is from London, added: “Everyone’s wearing masks. You can’t really see anyone, which makes dating a lot harder.”

Hugo Hammond

Love Island presented “an opportunity to have an amazing fun summer and put myself back out there”, according to PE teacher Hugo Hammond, 24, who is from Hampshire.

He added: “I’ve been single for a while now. With the current climate, it’s been really hard to get back into dating.”

Liberty Poole

Waitress and marketing student Liberty Poole, from Birmingham, said she is a “social butterfly” who loves to meet new people.

The 21-year-old added: “I’m a girls’ girl as well so I can’t wait for the girly friendships. It’s going to be fun!”

Jake Cornish

Water engineer Jake Cornish, 24, from Weston-super-Mare, said he was in a relationship for seven years until lockdown.

“The opportunity is there, you might as well take it by the horns and go for it,” he said.

Kaz Kamwi

Fashion blogger Kaz Kamwi said she is ready to be in a relationship.

The 26-year-old, from Essex, added: “Why not be in a place where people are looking for the same things as me?”

Brad McClelland

Labourer Brad McClelland is looking for a partner who “doesn’t take themselves too seriously”.

The 26-year-old, from Northumberland, said: “I want to date face to face, I like meeting people. I’m easy going, laid back. Who wouldn’t want to be in a nice villa in a hot country for a while?”