All posts tagged: Contestant

Who is Ethan Ellis? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and fitness coach

Who is Ethan Ellis? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and fitness coach

Published by Daniella Wilson

Things are heating up in the Love Island villa with two new bombshells stirring up drama. Earlier this week, bombshells Ethan and Elicia entered the villa and took the Islanders of their choice on a date. Ethan took Jasmine, Priya and Martha all on dates and tonight, he gets the power to steal an Islander of his choice from their couple. As teased by ITV, Ethan goes first and, acknowledging the difficulty of his choice, explains that getting to know one girl “from the start was just really easy”. But who will he choose? As we wait to find out, read on to find out more about Love Island 2026 contestant Ethan Ellis. Ethan Ellis – key facts Ethan. ITV Age: 28 Job: Fitness coach From: Nottingham, lives in Dubai Instagram: @ethanelllis Who is Ethan Ellis? Ethan Ellis a fitness coach from Nottingham, currently living in Dubai. According to Ethan, he is known for his “good energy and lighting up rooms” and so in the villa, he intends to be himself, make friends with the lads …

Who is Elicia Bailey? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and team organiser

Who is Elicia Bailey? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and team organiser

Published by Daniella Wilson

There are only a couple of weeks to go before Love Island 2026 comes to an end but there is still plenty of drama to come. Usually by this point in the show, most of the couples are pretty solid but at the moment, there is only one particularly strong couple. However for a while, there were two, until bombshell Elicia Bailey arrived. Joining the villa earlier this week, Elicia took Finley Maddock on a date before the pair had a steamy session in the Hideaway, much to Ellie Chadwick’s dismay. And tonight, the fireworks continue. As teased by ITV, Elicia and fellow bombshell Ethan are given the power to steal one boy and one girl of their choice to couple up with. Elicia admits: “It’s clear as day the two boys I’ve been getting to know. My gut and my heart are saying this person.” As we wait to find out her decision, scroll on to learn more about Love Island 2026 contestant Elicia Bailey. Elicia Bailey – key facts Elicia. ITV Age: 23 Job: …

Strictly Come Dancing announces Love Island star as fifth contestant for 2026 series

Strictly Come Dancing announces Love Island star as fifth contestant for 2026 series

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Strictly Come Dancing has announced Love Island star Cach Mercer as the fifth celebrity to join the show’s line-up this year. The reality star, 25, competed on the ITV2 dating competition last year, winning the show with now-ex Toni Laites. “I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!” he said ahead of his Strictly stint. In a video posted to Instagram, he added that he’s “super excited” to finally reveal the news. “I’ve been trying to keep this one a secret for a very long time now so I’m so happy I can finally reveal it,” he added. “I can’t wait to find out who my …

Second Love Island Contestant Confirmed For This Year's Strictly Come Dancing Line-Up

Second Love Island Contestant Confirmed For This Year's Strictly Come Dancing Line-Up

Published by Sam Flores

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe Cach Mercer has become the fifth celebrity announced for this year’s season of Strictly Come Dancing. On Thursday afternoon, the BBC revealed that Cach would be the second former Love Island star to be taking part in the new series, joining fellow champion Dani Dyer on the line-up. He said: “I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. “Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!” View this post on Instagram Cach rose to fame on the 12th season of Love Island last year, where he and Toni Laites went on to win the whole series, before reportedly splitting earlier this year. Since leaving the vila, he’s enjoyed work as a model and DJ, and become a major presence on social media, with the BBC noting that he has accrued tens of millions of likes on TikTok, …

Who is Finley Maddock? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and builder

Who is Finley Maddock? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and builder

Published by Daniella Wilson

Could Finley be the one? Love Islander Ellie Chadwick certainly seems to think so! The bombshell entered the villa couple of weeks ago and has been getting on with Ellie ever since. Despite his heart rising the most for recent dumpee Tina Rad, things have been going from strength to strength for Finley and Ellie, but Casa Amor might change all of that. During last night’s episode (29 June), bombshell Olivia and Finley had a flirty conversation as they discussed her soft lips. Although Finley repeatedly admitted he was trying to behave despite his intentions, the pair couldn’t resist sharing a small peck. So, just who is Finley? Scroll on to find out more about the Love Island 2026 contestant. Finley Maddock – key facts Finley. ITV Age: 23 Job: Builder From: Bridgend Instagram: @finleymaddock Who is Finley Maddock from Love Island 2026? Finley Maddock is a builder from Bridgend who accepts that finding love can be tough, especially on a show like Love Island. He explained: “Finding love comes with a lot of drama, especially …

Who is Martha Rothwell? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and personal shopper

Who is Martha Rothwell? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and personal shopper

Published by Daniella Wilson

Love Island’s juiciest twist has returned as 12 new bombshells gear up to turn heads in Casa Amor! For the boys, they are in a separate villa as six new girls enter Casa Amor to try and get to know them while the girls have main villa privileges with six new boys making themselves at home. Among the new bombshells is Martha Rothwell, who admittedly fancies all of the boys! “I need to meet someone in real life first to see what the vibes are,” she said. “I kind of fancy them all! I think Lorenzo’s so handsome, and he’s tall. Fitzy’s handsome too, and it’s nice that he’s a primary school teacher. I quite like the brothers, but I can’t decide between Kavan and Aidan. I like Aidan’s tattoos, but Kavan seems more mature.” So, just who is Martha Rothwell? Read on to find out more about the Love Island 2026 contestant. Martha Rothwell – key facts Martha. ITV Age: 25 Job: Personal shopper From: London Instagram: @martharothwelll Who is Martha Rothwell? Martha Rothwell is …

Strictly Come Dancing announces Love Island star as fifth contestant for 2026 series

Strictly Come Dancing announces Britney hair stylist Chris Appleton as fourth contestant for 2026

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Strictly Come Dancing has announced that celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton is the fourth contestant to take on the BBC show’s 2026 series. Appleton, 43, is used to working behind-the-scenes on the biggest stars’ barnets, with the Brit styling the likes of Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande and others. He recently make the New York Times Best Seller list with his memoir, Your Roots Don’t Define You. Announcing his forthcoming stint on the BBC show, Appleton said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. “I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started.” …

The Love Island contestant testing the show’s tired formula

The Love Island contestant testing the show’s tired formula

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more When Love Island returned to screens for its 13th series this month, it was met with just 600,000 viewers: the lowest number of eyeballs on the bikini-clad reality dating show since the series began a decade ago, and lower than any launch of Big Brother on ITV2 ever. It seemed safe to say that the nation had fallen out of love with watching carbon copy heterosexual hot people pulling each other for a chat. The format was tired and the “my type on paper” one-liners had grown predictable. For a “reality” series, the vapid exchanges didn’t reflect real-world dating discussions around background, worldview, or gender politics. Enter: Jasmine Gaziza Müller, a 27-year-old fashion business owner from London with Iranian, Indian, and Danish heritage who, …

Who is Simba Kudyiwa? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and rehab assistant

Who is Simba Kudyiwa? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and rehab assistant

Published by Daniella Wilson

There is yet another bombshell headed into the Love Island villa tonight, and he’ll certainly be shaking things up with his entrance. Tonight’s episode (10 June) will see Simba Kudyiwa enter the villa and choose one girl to couple up with, alongside fellow bombshell Tommy Murphy. With Simba and Tommy’s decisions made, and brand new couples formed, one girl receives a final text that reads: “You are now single and therefore dumped from the Island. Please pack your bags and say your goodbyes.” As we await the next instalment of Love Island, read on for everything you need to know about 2026 contestant Simba Kudyiwa. Simba Kudyiwa – key facts Simba. ITV Age: 24 Job: Neurological rehabilitation assistant From: Enfield Instagram: @simbakudyiwa Who is Simba Kudyiwa? Simba Kudyiwa is a neurological rehabilitation assistant from Enfield, who is on the look out for love while in the villa. Having been single for four years, he is now ready to settle down and find someone. While not looking for any drama in the villa, he believes that “you’ve …

Who is Tommy Murphy? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and builder

Who is Tommy Murphy? Meet Love Island 2026 contestant and builder

Published by Daniella Wilson

The Love Island villa is making room for new bombshells tonight as two new arrivals make their way to Mallorca for a summer of love – and they have a big decision to make. Entering the villa tonight is Tommy Murphy who, alongside fellow bombshell Simba Kudyiwa, has to choose a girl to couple up with. As teased by ITV, tonight new arrivals Tommy and Simba must select which of the vulnerable girls they wish to pair up with… Ahead of his Love Island debut, read on for everything you need to know about the contestant. Tommy Murphy – key facts Tommy. ITV Age: 28 Job: Builder From: Newcastle Instagram: @tommyrmurphy Who is Tommy Murphy? Tommy Murphy is a builder from Newcastle whose main goal in the villa is to find love after not being so lucky while on the outside. “Outside the villa, I meet a lot of girls through work, but I think I’ve got a bit of a mental block when it comes to relationships and committing properly,” he said. “Being in the …