Love Island 2026: Who is heading into the villa?

After ITV/STV officially confirmed the start date as Monday 1st June, we are now just weeks away until the 13th series of Love Island hits our screens, as a new bunch of Islanders attempt to find love in the sun.

With past Islanders like Molly-Mae Hague, Maura Higgins, Cash Mercer, Olivia Attwood and Scott Thomas, rumours are now steadily heating up for the upcoming series.

Who is taking part in Love Island this year?

Although ITV/STV are yet to officially unveil any of this year's Islanders, a number of reports have been out in the media.

Aidan Murphy

Aidan is a construction worker from London, who will reportedly be an Islander on the 13th series.

An insider told The Sun: "As always, they’re not in the villa until they’re in the villa but Aidan is lined up as starting cast or early bombshell. He’s brilliant – good looking, great chat, really relatable and got that boy next door charm that viewers love.

"Bosses are narrowing down their opening line-up and Aidan is top of the pile."

Lorenzo Alessi

Italian hunk Lorenzo Alessi is another name doing the rounds, with a source saying: "Lorenzo is in the mix for the new series cast and has had talks with bosses.

"As they always say, no Islander is guaranteed a spot until they’re walking into that villa and bosses have not yet decided upon their OGs or even bombshells."

Charleen Murphy

The first person to be reported for the show this year was Northern Irish girl Charleen Murphy, who just happens to be good friends with Love Island legend Lucinda Stafford.

Charleen, who already has nearly 400K followers on Instagram, actually auditioned for the show back in 2020, but she wasn't chosen as an Islander.

However, it seems Charleen is high on the list this time, and earlier this year, she split from Irish professional footballer Dano Mandroiu.

Grace Avelli

According to our friends at heatworld, TikTok rumours are rife that Grace Avelli will also be entering the villa for series 13.

The publication states that Grace is followed by a number of Love Island casting staff, which could be a telling sign!

READ MORE: The definitive guide to which Love Island couples are still together

When does it start?

The 13th series of Love Island will return with a launch show on Monday 1st June, with bosses teasing a World Cup theme in the promo shots.

The teaser trailer features neon visuals, with fireworks and footballs, as Iain Sturling says: "Love Island 2026"

It's also now been confirmed that Maya Jama will return to host the show, despite currently being tied up filming The Celebrity Traitors in Scotland.