Love Island is set to return to TV screens soon — and ITV has reportedly signed influencer Sophie Lee, 29, to join the new series.
According to The Sun, Lee is expected to enter the famous villa, though it remains unclear whether she will be an original contestant or a late arrival.
Originally from Manchester, Lee has an inspiring backstory. At 22, she suffered life-changing burns while performing a firebreathing act in the US, when an air conditioning unit blew flames into her face.
Since the accident, she has built a large social media following, written a memoir titled In My Skin, and worked with Katie Piper’s charity supporting burn survivors.
“Just like Tasha Ghouri’s amazing time in the villa where she raised awareness for the hearing impaired, Love Island bosses are thrilled to give Sophie the same platform to discuss her accident and how she’s become comfortable in her skin since,” a source told the paper.
“Love Island has always tried to be about more than just looks and Sophie is a classic example of an Islander with real substance.”
ITV told The Standard: “Our cast for the forthcoming series will be revealed in due course. Viewers wishing to catch up on previous series can do so on ITVX, where the show recently hit two billion streams.”
Love Island is back on TV on June 9, with Maya Jama returning to helm the series.
In other Love Island news, yesterday All Star’s Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Curtis Pritchard have parted ways - just three months after appearing on the show.
Culculoglu, 30, made a statement on Instagram announcing the split from Pritchard, 29.
“I wanted to share that Curtis and I have decided to go our separate ways,” she wrote.
“It's been a really tough decision, but one made with a lot of love and respect for one another.
“He's an incredible person and I'll always cherish the memories we made both in and out of the villa.
“Thank you all so much for the love and support over the past few months. We're both focusing on navigating this transition and would really appreciate privacy during this time. Love always, EkinSu Xx”
Pritchard is yet to comment on the split himself. The Standard have contacted a representative of Pritchard for comment.
The reality stars finished third on All Stars, which finished in February - and since meeting on the show they have been plagued by rumours of a showmance, which they have both denied.
Speaking about the speculation in March, Culculoglu told The Sun: “I’ve got respect for anyone’s opinions.”
She added: “I think everyone is entitled to think something and I can understand why they think that, because on the show we are theatrical people and when we come together, it is like a performance.
“But it's not a showmance, it's real. It just feels right. It feels healthy and I am myself.”
