Summer is quickly approaching and that means the return of Love Island.
Liam Reardon and Millie Court were crowned the 2021 Love Island winners in last year's tense final, but now it's nearly time for a group of new young singletons to enter the villa in search of love.
ITV2's popular dating show is set to come back to our screens for what is reportedly its longest season yet.
Contestants will enter a brand new luxury villa this year as they embark on a summer of love under the sizzling sun.
It looks like ITV are gearing up for this year's series and two teaser videos have already been posted to the Love Island official Instagram stating "The OG of love has entered the chat" but they don't reveal much yet.
So when can we expect the new series to start? And is there still a chance to apply? Here's everything we know.
When does Love Island season 8 start?
ITV hasn't officially revealed the start date, but Love Island 2022 is expected to start on ITV2 on Monday June 6.
An insider told the Sun: "Love Island is coming back with a bang and it will begin on the second full week in June.
"The schedules are being put together now and fans can expect a long, hot summer of fun from the villa from June 6."
The eighth series was confirmed during the final of Love Island 2021 when Laura Whitmore encouraged viewers to apply for 2022's season.
Previous Love Island series have lasted six to eight weeks, but it’s been reported that this year we could see the islanders spend longer in the villa than ever before, with applicants being asked to be available for at least 10 weeks.
How to apply for Love Island
If you fancy jetting off for a summer in a luxury villa surrounded by glamorous singletons, the good news is that applications for Love Island 2022 are still open.
A casting call on ITV's website says: "ITV2 are looking for vibrant singles from across the UK who want to head to the sun, in search of love!
"The chosen cast will spend time in a luxury villa, getting to know one another, but to remain in paradise they must win the hearts of the public and their fellow Islanders who ultimately decide their fate on Love Island."
To apply for Love Island 2022 you will need to complete the application form on the ITV website.
You'll also need to meet a few requirements, you must:
- Be at least 18-years-old on the date of your application
- Not currently be employed by ITV or a close relative of someone working on the programme
- Hold a passport that is valid for at least six months after the programme's end date
- Be available to participate in the programme for a minimum of 10 weeks
Will Laura Whitmore host Love Island?
Laura Whitmore will be returning to the villa as host of Love Island 2022.
The TV and Radio presenter is reported to have signed a £500,000 deal to front the upcoming season.
It had previously been rumoured that ITV was looking to replace Laura with Maya Jama or previous contestant Maura Higgins, but it's now been confirmed that Laura will continue her stint as host.
The 36-year-old first took over hosting Love Island in 2020 after the death of Caroline Flack.
Who will be on Love Island this year?
ITV is yet to announce a line-up of contestants for Love Island’s highly anticipated eighth season.
In 2021 the Love Island cast was revealed just a week before the first episode and we can expect to get 2022’s line-up in a similar time frame.
ITV will release the list of contestants with a short video of each Islander so that viewers can get to know the singletons before the show starts.
Although there’s no official line-up, there has already been rumours about who we could expect to see in this year’s villa.
A few of the rumoured names include season four contestant Zara McDermott's brother, Brad McDermott, 22-year-old beautician Sophie Draper and influencer Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.
Where is Love Island 2022?
Love Island 2022 is still set to take place in sunny Mallorca but this year will see a shake-up as the steamy dating show will be moving to a brand new villa.
"ITV bosses think this is the right moment to refresh this element of the show, just as they did in series three back in 2017," a source told The Sun.
Fans of Love Island have been given a first look at the brand new villa as construction work is underway.
The six-bedroom pad will be fully revamped in time for season eight. It's thought that the new property will still contain key elements from the show, including the much-loved firepit.
It's also been reported that it will boast the biggest gym and workout area to ever be seen on the show.
Will there be a winter season of Love Island 2022?
In January 2020 Love Island had its first winter spin-off in South Africa.
The winter series of the show didn’t return in 2021 due to international travel restrictions, but there had been hopes that it could return in 2022.
However, ITV has now confirmed that they don’t plan to continue a winter edition of the dating show.
An ITV spokesperson said: “We are currently focusing on the forthcoming summer series.”
