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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Love Islands' Belle Hassan joins fellow ex contestants in slamming this year's line-up

Love Island bombshell Belle Hassan has joined the ranks of former islanders slamming this year's line-up.

Contestants from this year's ITV2 series were released this week to mixed reactions from former stars and the public.

The 24-year-old, who appeared in series five of the show, insisted the contestants look the 'same every year'.

After the line-up was released, she asked her social media followers: "Anyone else think the love island cast gives 'I want to be an influencer'.

"Stunning... but boys and girls same every year man."

On Monday, Love Island released the names and pictures of the 11 contestants walking into the Spanish villa next week.

Belle said they look the same every year (bellehassan/Instagram)
She also insists they have 'I want to be an influencer' vibes (bellehassan/Instagram)

Among them is footballer Michael Owen's 19-year-old daughter Gemma.

Others include Paige Thorne, Dami Hope, Indiyah Polack, Liam Llewellyn, Tasha Ghouri, Davide Sanclimenti, Ikenna Ekwonna, Andrew Le Page, Amber Beckford and Luca Bish.

Belle isn't the only former contestant who slammed the show's lack of diversity as well as its tendency to bring in influencers.

Belle appeared on season five (ITV)

Sharon Gaffka, who appeared in series seven, criticised the show for its lack of Asian contestants as well as plus-sized contestants.

Speaking on The News Desk for TalkTV recently, the 26-year-old explained: "Diversity comes in lots of different boxes.

"It's not just ethnicity and what I do think it's great that you know, close to 50% of the cast will be diverse or from a different background I still think we're not seeing any Asians in the original line-up.

Sharon also slammed the show for its lack of diversity (Instagram/ @sharongaffka)
The star called for more plus-sized contestants (ITV)

"And again, there is a little bit of more diversity than other previous series in terms of body size."

Sharon is of Indonesian and Polish heritage herself and appeared in the 2021 series of the series.

Other Asian contestants over the years include Shannon Singh, Priya Gopaldas and AJ Bunker.

Malin Andersson, who appeared on season two back in 2016, and Thai contestant Kaz Crossley, who starred in season four, are among the Asian women who have participated in the show.

This year's line-up was released earlier this week (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

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Male contestants include Omar Sultani (from season one) and Nas Majeed (from season six).

Love Island being slammed for its diversity and lack of plus-sized contestants is nothing new.

They were previously criticised for being 'too white' and lacking in 'body diversity' after fans labelled the show as 'toxic'.

However, a Love Island spokesperson insisted the 'only stipulations are that applicants are over 18, single, and looking for love.'

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