The arrival of the new year also brings the long-awaited return of ITV2 dating show Love Island. The latest series, which aired last summer, was won by Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti.
Ekin-Su and Davide have gone on to star in their own travel show and Ekin-Su will also take part in Dancing on Ice in the new year.
The most recent series also marked the end of host Laura Whitmore’s time on the show. She took over as presenter following the tragic death of Caroline Flack in 2020. Upon leaving Love Island, Laura said: “There are certain elements of the show I’ve found very difficult that cannot be changed due to the format, including the flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects. I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands. I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into 3 series. I hope I did you proud Caroline.”
Read more: Maya Jama 'to be announced' as new host of Love Island
A special winter edition of Love Island, filmed in South Africa, is just around the corner but who is taking over from Laura Whitmore, when is the show on and who won the last winter series?
Who is hosting Love Island’s 2023 winter series?
Following Laura Whitmore’s exit from Love Island, ITV confirmed that Maya Jama would be taking over as host. Of her new role, Maya said: “I’ve always been such a massive Love Island fan and I’m so excited to be hosting one of the nation’s favourite shows! I can’t wait to get into the Villa to meet all of the Islanders.”
Director of Reality Programming & Acquisitions and Controller, ITV2, ItvBe & CITV, Paul Mortimer said: “Finding a new host to follow the wonderful Laura Whitmore was never going to be easy. In Maya Jama though, we have another high profile fan of the show who’ll be a great addition to the Love Island family. Cool, charming and charismatic, I speak for us all when I say Maya will also bring a unique presenting style to the show, as did Laura and, of course, the very much missed Caroline Flack. We’re very pleased to have her on board.”
When will Love Island’s 2023 Winter series be on?
No official start date has been given just yet, but it's understood Winter Love Island will hit our screens in January 2023, with a rumoured start date of Monday, January 16.
Who won the last series of Winter Love Island?
The last series of Winter Love Island aired in 2020. The series was won by Paige Turley and Finn Tapp, who ultimately chose to split the £50,000 prize money.
Paige and Finn are one of the rare Love Island couples who are still together now. They regularly post updates on social media. You can get more TV news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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