‘It caused mayhem’: Love Island launch ‘thrown into chaos after £1.2M South African villa battered by 50mph winds’ ahead of Maya Jama’s debut as host
The brand new series of Love Island is due to kick off Monday evening.
However it’s now been reported that the launch has been plunged into chaos after 50mph winds battered the show’s South African villa.
According to The Sun the adverse weather made filming the show’s opening scenes difficult and risked ruining Maya Jama’s big moment as she makes her debut as host.
‘It caused mayhem’: Love Island launch ‘thrown into chaos after £1.2M South African villa battered by 50mph winds’ ahead of Maya Jama’s debut as host
Luckily they managed to film the stunner arriving by helicopter before the weather ’caused mayhem’.
They told the publication: ‘Every department was affected — sound, lighting, cameras, wardrobe.
The winds swept over the vast property’s gardens and pool as the crew fought for clear audio for the show’s much anticipated first episode.
Struggle: The winds swept over the stunning property’s gardens and pool as the crew fought for clear audio for the show’s much anticipated first episode
Drama: Luckily they managed to film the stunner arrive by helicopter before the weather ’caused mayhem’
He added: ‘None of the Islanders expected to be shivering around the fire pit either, but it came into its own’.
MailOnline have contacted ITV reps for comment.
In first look snaps at the opening episode Maya, 28, looked incredible wearing a gorgeous red co-ord before slipping into a plunging green frock as she met the 10 singeltons – as she replaces Laura Whitmore as the show’s host.
First look: The brand new series of Love Island is about to kick off in just a day’s time… And it is doing so in an epic style as new host Maya Jama meets the winter Islanders
The series begins in epic style, as a helicopter circles over the Villa with the pilot announcing over the tannoy: ‘Maya Jama on board.’
The helicopter lands and Maya heads into the Villa, explaining: ‘It’s a new year, in a brand new Villa, it’s a stunning location ready for some sexy singles looking for love, all we need now are some Islanders.’
Greeting the boys, Maya says: ‘Hello boys, you alright, shall we have a little chat?’, and the lads then line-up as they wait for the arrival of the girls.
Gorgeous: In first look snaps at the opening episode Maya, 28, looked incredible wearing a gorgeous red co-ord befoe slipping into a plunging green frock as she met the 10 singeltons
New host: The series begins in epic style, as a helicopter circles over the Villa with the pilot announcing over the tannoy: ‘Maya Jama on board’
Line-up: Greeting the boys, Maya says: ‘Hello boys, you alright, shall we have a little chat?’, and the lads then line-up as they wait for the arrival of the girls
Boxing ring girl and actress Olivia Hawkins, 27, who’s claim to fame is standing in for Michelle Keegan on the set of a fashion ad, is among the Islanders moving into the luxury South African villa on January 16.
Alongside Olivia, the show has signed their first ever partially-sighted contestant, Ron Hall, 26, while biomedical science student Tanya Manhenga, 22, PE teacher Kai Fagan, 24, makeup artist Lana Jenkins, 25, payroll assistant Anna-May Robey, 20, farmer Will Young, 23, Tanyal Revan, 26, a hair stylist, airport security officer Shaq Muhammad, 24, and TV salesman Haris Namani, 21, were also unveiled last week.
Maya’s entrance by helicopter is the ‘biggest budget opening’ in the ITV show’s history.
Here come the boys: TV salesman Haris Namani, 21, from Doncaster, and Shaq Muhammad, 24, an airport security officer from London, head into the villa for the first time
Arrivals: Kai Fagan (left), 24, a science and PE teacher from Manchester, looked confident as he walked into Winter Love Island 2023, and Ron Hall (right), 25, from Essex, is a financial advisor and is the first blind Love Islander
The TV presenter, who was announced as taking over the hosting duties from Laura Whitmore last year, is sure to have an ‘epic’ entrance with her mode of transport.
According to The Mirror, her helicopter ride clocks up the Love Island production budget but producers are happy to splash the cash to see Maya arrive with a bang.
The first look at Love Island’s first episode comes after the new Love Island villa was revealed.
Big budget: Maya’s entrance by helicopter is the ‘biggest budget opening’ in the ITV show’s history
Making an entrance: The TV presenter, who was announced as taking over the hosting duties from Laura Whitmore last year, is sure to have an ‘epic’ entrance with her mode of transport
It has received a bold makeover, in keeping with the colourful accommodation which previously housed the Islanders.
The vast eco-friendly villa which has been hired for the new series is situated in the jaw-dropping South African countryside, set below a range of mountains and overlooking a wine-valley.
The new £1.2million villa features a whopping three swimming pools for the contestants to cool off in, which is surrounded by sun loungers for them to enjoy the basking sunshine and top up their tans.
Saying hello: Payroll assistant Anna-May Robey, 20, looked at the line-up of boys in front of her while wearing a bright pink bikini and denim shorts
Here she comes! Biomedical science student Tanya Manhenga, 22, stunned in an orange and blue bikini with a yellow cover-up
Looking good: Makeup artist Lana Jenkins, 25, looked gorgeous in a cut-out blue swimsuit as she arrived in the villa
Villa: The first look at Love Island’s first episode comes after the new Love Island villa was revealed – and it has received a bold makeover, in keeping with the colourful accommodation which previously housed the Islanders
Pictures taken prior to the makeover revealed that the swimming pool was previously a T-shape, however it has since been split into three separate areas ahead of filming.
One side of the garden houses the work out area for the Islanders to keep in shape during their time on the show, beside the iconic fire pit where the weekly recoupling will take place.
Old photos also reveal the incredible transformation the fire area has undergone, which was previously a sandy area with a basic pit and camping chairs.
LOVE ISLAND 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Tanya Manhenga
Name: Tanya Manhenga
Age: 22
Location: Liverpool
Occupation: Student and model
Something not many people know about her: ‘I have Vitiligo, which is a skin pigmentation, you may not even notice it.’
‘It’s on my lip and I have a stripe on my hair. Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute.’
‘I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe.’
Lana Jenkins
Name: Lana Jenkins
Age: 25
Location: Luton
Occupation: Makeup artist
Something not many people know about her: ‘In my work as a makeup artist I’ve worked with lots of celebrities.
‘Also, when I was 6-years-old I used to live in Spain and I was in an episode of Benidorm as an extra.’
Anna-May Robey
Name: Anna-May Robey
Age: 20
Location: Swansea
Occupation: Payroll assistant
Something not many people know about her: ‘I went on a date once and I never saw him again.’
‘We went for food and shared a bottle of wine. As I was speaking to him he fell asleep!’
‘I had to clink his wine glass to wake him up.’
Tanyel Revan
Name: Tanyel Revan
Age: 26
Location: North London
Occupation: Hair stylist
Something not many people know about her: ‘My celebrity crush is Channing Tatum – I don’t like pretty boys, they give me the ‘ick’ because they always have a crap personality.’
‘Channing Tatum is handsome but not too pretty. He’s manly and he can dance.’
‘If a man can dance I’m in love with him straight away.’
Olivia Hawkins
Name: Olivia Hawkins
Age: 27
Location: Brighton
Occupation: Ring girl and actress
Something not many people know about her: ‘I did a film with Jason Statham and had a nice 10-minute convo about life.’
‘I’ve been a ring girl for KSI, I played a waitress in James Bond with Daniel Craig and I’ve also been a body double for Michelle Keegan and Emma Watson.’
Kai Fagan
Name: Kai Fagan
Age: 24
Location: Manchester
Occupation: Science and PE teacher
Something not many people know about him: ‘I’m a Jamaican citizen. Because of that I played rugby 7s for Jamaica.’
‘I play semi-professional rugby now for Burnage RFC.’
‘I’ve technically got three different degrees and went to three different unis.’
Ron Hall
Name: Ron Hall
Age: 25
Location: Essex
Occupation: Financial advisor
Something not many people know about him: ‘On meeting me, you’d never know I am blind in one eye.’
‘It was the result of a football injury when I was 8. I’ve got two different coloured eyes, one blue and one green.’
Will Young
Name: Will Young
Age: 23
Location: Buckinghamshire
Occupation: Farmer
Something not many people know about him: ‘Every night I light a candle and meditate for 20-25 minutes.’
‘A girl I was seeing told me to meditate, I tried it and loved it. I stopped seeing her and carried on meditating!
‘It’s a nice way to self reflect.’
Shaq Muhammad
Name: Shaq Muhammad
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: Airport security officer
Something not many people know about her: ‘I’m a very emotional person. It can be a blessing and a curse.’
‘Every time I watch Dear John I cry.
That’s my favourite film. Any time I’m with someone and they say, ‘Let’s watch a romantic film’, I’m like, ‘How about Dear John, how does that sound?’
Haris Namani
Name: Haris Namani
Age: 21
Location: Doncaster
Occupation: TV salesman
Something not many people know about her: ‘I’ve never found love. I think this is the show that can help me.’
‘It’s the best opportunity for me to find the girl and find the right one. I’ve obviously not found the right one myself.’
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