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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Sandra Mallon

Dublin real estate agent is heading into the Love Island villa as this year's line up is revealed

A Dublin real estate agent is set to head into the Love Island villa.

Catherine Agbaje is the only Irish contestant confirmed to be taking part in the show's summer series, which returns to our screens on ITV on June 5.

The 22-year-old describes herself as "fun, flirty and chatty" and works in commercial real estate in London for Kalmars, having moved to the UK city in 2021.

Catherine says: "I’m always smiling, I’m always happy, I’m always laughing. You’ll always see me with a smile on my face."

READ MORE: All eyes on possible Irish singletons with Love Island to return to Virgin Media TV within days

When asked to share something not many people know about her, Catherine added: "My teeth are real, people always think they are veneers! I had braces when I was younger."

"I have two degrees, I have my undergrad and my masters in Psychology and Sociology and Real Estate."

Her bosses at Kalmars in London describe her as a person who has "brought her enthusiasm, people skills and driven energy to the retail, decentralised office and industrial teams at Kalmars."

Catherine Agbaje's professional profile (Kalmars)

"Catherine enjoys travelling, socialising and trying out all the fine dining spots London has to offer," according to her work profile at the UK company.

Catherine qualified with a masters degree in Real Estate Development and Investment from the University of Greenwich following her move from Dublin to London in 2021.

Host Maya Jama will preside over all the villa action this summer, whilst comedian and narrator Iain Stirling returns to voiceover.

Bosses will be hoping that this series delivers some seriously punchy and explosive moments after its winter show struggled to attract viewers, garnering some of its lowest ratings in seven years.

However, the series did follow a record-breaking 2022 season with bucket loads of drama - largely thanks to its fiery winning couple Ekin-Su and Davide.

The couples won't get to choose who they couple up with this year. In fact, it will be the public who chooses who will be partnering up for the start of the new series.

Here's the rest of this year's line up:

Ruchee Gurung

Ruchee Gurung (ITV)

Beautician Ruchee Gurung has become the first Islander to be announced.

Asked why she wants to join Love Island, the 24-year-old from Sutton said: "I’m single and looking for love, and it’s the perfect opportunity for me to find someone. I’m a relationship kind of girl, but so far it’s not worked out for me.

"So I’m looking forward to hopefully finding the right person in the Villa."

Asked what she doesn't like, she admitted: "Guys with no ambition. I also get the ick if I see a guy wearing white jeans and red trainers. Another one is super skinny jeans when they look like leggings.

"Fashion is such an important thing for me. If I go on a date and the guy isn’t wearing something I like, I’m going home."

Tyrique Hyde

Tyrique Hyde (ITV)

Semi-professional footballer Tyrique Hyde is hoping to find love this summer.

Asked what he'll bring to the villa, he said: "I’ll bring vibes, confidence, good energy and honesty. I don’t sit on the fence, if I have an opinion I will speak up. I’m also not afraid to go after what I want."

He is also pals with former Islander, Toby Aromolaran, as he added of the pair's close bond: "Toby is one of my best friends, we grew up together and were in the same class at school."

Molly Marsh

Molly Marsh (ITV)

Molly Marsh, the daughter of former Coronation Street actress Janet Marsh, is hoping she'll find The One.

This won't be her first time in the villa, as she has already visited the luxurious mansion before.

"With my job being in social media, I’ve had some amazing opportunities to go on press trips and I’ve actually been out to the Love Island Villas in Mallorca and South Africa. Having the experience to walk around both was amazing but to now actually live in the Villa is going to be incredible," she explained - as she admitted she's looking for that spark this summer.

George Fensom

George Fensom (ITV)

George Fensom is a Business Development Executive from Essex.

He's hoping to bring the vibes to the villa this summer, as he reveals: "I’m the first person to bring the vibe up, I’m always dancing, I’m always the one who wants to go out.

"My go-to dance move is what I call the Dad Dance, I’m gonna bring dad jokes and dad dancing to the Villa."

He'd love to couple up with someone like Megan Fox and share the villa with Anne Hegerty from The Chase. He added: "I’m going to go with a little sweetheart called Megan Fox, if you’ve seen Transformers. The second would be Anne Hegerty from The Chase, I wouldn’t crack on with her but I’d have a laugh with her. I’d also like Nigella Lawson to cook something sexy."

Mehdi Edno

Mehdi Edno (ITV)

Mehdi Edno is hoping to use his French language skills to impress the other Islanders in the villa.

However, he won't be focusing solely on looks to find his new partner. He explained: "Looks are important but they aren’t everything, a good sense of humour and someone who is outgoing and up for an adventure is what I’m looking for."

Asked if he's now ready to find love, he added: "Yes. I’ve been busy for the last few years with work, and doing my Masters degree but now I’m done with the busy schedule, and ready to find love."

Ella Thomas

Ella Thomas (ITV)

Model Ella Thomas has brushed shoulders with some very famous people including Brad Pitt.

"I'm the whole package, I know what I want in life and I’ve got a big heart," she said of what she can offer the boys before issuing them a warning: "I’d let the boys know that I’m wifey material so don’t play with me!"

She has starred in a music video and even acted alongside Hollywood star Brad Pitt.

"I’ve been in a Headie One and Burna Burna Boy music video and I was once an extra in World War Z. I was 12 years old when I filmed it and got to meet Brad Pitt which was cool," she shared.

Mitchel Taylor

Gas engineer Mitchel Taylor describes himself as a gentleman.

Asked why someone would want to date him, he said: "I thrive on being a gentleman. I’ll shower you with flowers, I’ll take you on dates, I’ll fill your bedside drawer with your favourite sweets and chocolate. I’ve been single, I’ve had my fun and now I want to settle down."

But food in your teeth gives him the ick.

"Food in your teeth and counting coins in your hand- when a girl stands at the bar counting out the coins to pay for a drink, it’s not for me!"

Jess Harding

Aesthetics practitioner Jess thinks she makes a "really good girlfriend", saying: "I've got quite a big personality and I’ve got a heart of gold. I can stand up for myself if I need to. I’m honest, and I love, love. I’m also a really good girlfriend."

The Londoner said every boy is giving her the "ick" at the moment, adding: "I feel like it’s fate because I’m saving myself for Mr Right in the Villa!"

André Furtado

The 21-year-old business owner from Dudley says he's "charming, I’m going to bring good looks and some language lessons."

"I’m going to teach the other Islanders Portuguese, Spanish and a little bit of Creole. I think I’ve got every slice of the pie."

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