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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Tobi Akingbade

Winter Love Island 2020 line-up: The 11 most unexpected facts about the cast

The Winter Love Island line-up - well, the first batch of Islanders anyway - is finally here and full of characters including Lewis Capaldi's ex and Rochelle Humes' doppelganger sister.

But it's already clear that the individuals with celebrity connections aren't the only interesting Islanders as many of the 12 people packing their bags and jetting off have interesting and surprising backstories.

From unusual jobs to bizarre unexpected family histories, there's certainly a lot going on with this lot.

As Laura Whitmore prepares to take over from Caroline Flack and welcome the new hopefuls to the new South African villa, take a look at the new lot and what they have to say for themselves...

All 12 of the Islanders (ITV)

1. For the first time in Love Island UK history, a pair of twins will walk into the villa

But that’s not the most interesting thing about Eve and Jess, as the former also apparently has something in common with Kylie Jenner...

2. Tyga has slid into one of the Islander's DMs

The 20-year-old Londoner claims rapper Tyga once privately messaged her on social media.

She said: “We were both at an event and I posted an Instagram story tagging him. He then messaged me afterwards and we spoke on WhatsApp.

"Then when me and Jess were in Ibiza, he was there again.

“He asked me to meet him but we arrived the day he left. Pop Smoke, the R ‘n’ B rapper, messaged me too.”

Eve and Jess Gale (ITV)

3. There's another famous sibling

Sophie Piper, a medical PA from Essex, may look recognisable to many viewers she is Rochelle Humes' younger sister.

The 21-year-old has confessed that her celebrity crush is Anthony Joshua.

Sophie Piper, Rochelle Humes' sister (ITV)

4. Connor Durman's eclectic CV is sure to be a talking point

Move over sandwich man Joe Garrett - this 25-year-old from Brighton is a coffee bean salesman which is a sure way to start a conversation in the villa.

However, that isn’t the most interesting thing about him. When living in Australia, the Islander worked as a naked waiter.

5. One Islander owns a beach

We are sure that contestant Ollie James won’t hold back from telling his new friends that he is an heir to a rather stately throne as his father is Lord of the Manor of Lanhydrock.

He shared: “The family title is Viscount Clifden. When my father passes away or abdicates, as the eldest child, I will take on the titles and the estate.

Ollie James, an heir (ITV)

His go-to chat up line is telling people he owns an actual beach.

“Best chat up line I’ve ever used is, ‘Do you know Polzeath beach in Cornwall? I own it.’ That’s it. Chat up line, done,” he added.

6. One of the girls can moonwalk

Is this a skill that will be useful in the villa? Who knows, but it surely won't be detrimental.

(ITV)

Siânnise Fudge describes the dance move as her party trick so hopefully we'll get to see her MJ-like skills as soon as the white wines are in full flow.

7. Some of the chat-up lines they've endured are truly dreadful

Exhibit A: Democratic services officer Shaughna Phillips was once told: "If you were on a McDonalds menu, you’d be a McGorgeous." Ugh.

8. Paige Turley is a former Britain's Got Talent contestant

(ITV)

When she was 14, Paige - who is now 22 - entered the show as a solo singer.

Her rendition of the Birdy version of Skinny Love impressed the judges too and she made it to the semi-finals.

9. There's a police officer entering the villa

Londoner Mike Boateng often uses his occupation to chat up girls too.

When asked what his best chat-up line is, the 25-year-old said: "I can use the cheeky lines about getting handcuffs out. It normally works."

(ITV)

10. And he's good at impressions

The multi-talented Mike claims he can do the voices of Drake and former president Barack Obama.

It's a bold claim - and we can't wait to see him hilariously try to back it up.

11. Connor Durham eats a pot of hummus *per day*

No judgement, but that's a lot of hummus - and it must surely play havoc with the smell of his breath?

Meet the full Winter Love Island 2020 line-up here.

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