Love Island All Stars’ first couples were revealed in the closing moments of Monday’s action packed launch episodes.
The public decided to couple up the contestants on the show, and surprisingly, they chose to bring back Marcel Somerville, 39, and Gabby Allen, 32, who broke up six years ago after Marcel cheated on her following their appearance on the 2017 series.
The awkward pairing saw Gabby quip: ‘Welcome back to my world’ while Marcel said: ‘This is strange, isn’t it?’.
Ronnie Vint, 28, found himself paired with Elma Pazar, 32, and many viewers thought they were a good match, even dubbing them as potential early winners of the show.
Next Kaz Crossley, 29, was matched with fellow dancer Curtis Pritchard, 28, following them flirting up a storm.
Scott Thomas, 36, and India Reynolds, 34, were also coupled up and said despite being long time friends were open to seeing if romance blossomed.
Olivia Hawkins, 29, was matched with Luca Bish, 25, although she had doubts about him. She mentioned that a partner willing to support his friends was crucial for her.
Finally viewers chose to couple Catherine Agbaje, 24, Nas Majeed, 28, before host Maya Jama unveiled the show’s first bombshell in the form of Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, 30.
It was revealed the stunner would be allowed to steal one of the hunks, before the show ended on a cliffhanger.
During her introduction Ekin-Su revealed why she’s returned to the villa, while making a thinly-veiled dig at ex Davide Sanclimenti.
The former winner, 30, who scooped the £50,000 cash prize with ex Davide in June 2022, made her return at the end of the highly-anticipated launch show as she once again entered as a bombshell.
Speaking ahead of her comeback, the brunette beauty said: ‘I want to return to Love Island again because it’s where my journey started and has a special place in my heart.
‘It’s somewhere I’ve laughed, cried and learnt so much. The fact that there’s an opportunity to do it again – why not!
‘Why can’t a winner go back in and re-write her story and have a second chance?! I think you should follow your gut and my gut is telling me to go back, so I’m listening to it.’
When quizzed on what she’s looking for this time around, Ekin-Su revealed she wants ‘someone who isn’t overly self-obsessed and someone that’s aware of flaws because we all have them.’
In what could be a swipe at Davide, she added: ‘I’d like a man that will love me when I’m in the worst mood possible but still understands why and has no judgments.
‘I’d like someone supportive, I don’t care about looks and money – I want someone to be my biggest cheerleader.’
When it comes to red flags, the biggest one for Ekin-Su is ‘someone selling the dream at the start, being perfect – because that’s not real.’
She insisted: ‘Real love and connection starts with the journey, a friendship and getting to know one another first.’
The Celebrity Big Brother star said she’s ‘excited’ for All Stars because it’s ‘so different it’s so different to how we were before, we were all unknown.’
She gushed: ‘I’m excited to see what everyone’s journeys have been like and maybe some drama – you never know what might happen. I’m interested to see how it plays out. I’m a girls’ girl so I’m also excited to make friends too.
‘I love being a sexy, smart, classy woman. I’m funny and quirky and I think being an Islander, you can represent all of that.
‘You don’t have to be a typical Barbie or Ken doll. You can feel confident no matter your looks or where you’re from and to be an authentic Islander you have to be humble and real so people can relate to you.’
Meanwhile Ronnie and Elma are already a firm favourite among fans after their first attempt to get to know each other.
The footballer told her about his pet pug, Reggie and hinting at how they have similar names, he joked: ‘Ronnie and Reggie,’ which seemed to leave Elma confused as she asked: ‘Oh, do you have two then?’ seemingly forgetting his name.
The duo couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces after they were chosen to be in a couple together, and both thanked the public as it was revealed.
Viewers are also ‘loving’ the pairing, as they rushed to X to decalre them a ‘good match,’ writing: ‘Loving Elma and Ronnie already #LoveIslandAllStars.’
‘Ronnie & Elma here for it #loveislandallstars.’ ‘Elma and Ronnie are a good match tbh , she’s full of banter and fun and so is he #LoveIslandAllStars.’ ‘Ronnie and Elma have goofy personalities, so funny #loveisland #LoveIslandAllStars.’ ‘I can see Elma and Ronnie #LoveIslandAllStars.’ ‘Can totally see Ronnie and Elma together. Very suited #LoveIslandAllStars.’
‘Ronnie and Elma MAKE SENSE #LoveIslandAllStars.’ ‘I like Ronnie and Elma #LoveIslandAllStars.’ ‘Ronnie been in the villa five minutes and already has got a better connection w Elma than he did with Harriet, Tiffany and Jess the entire last series #LoveIsland.’ ‘Elma and Ronnie have chemistry #loveislandallstars.’ ‘Ronnie and Elma I LOVE <33333 #LoveIslandAllStars #AllStars.’
LOVE ISLAND: ALL STARS LINE UP
GABBY ALLEN
AGE: 32
SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
Because it’s the trenches out there! I feel like I have all my ducks in a row, it has been 8 years since I went into the Villa. I now run my businesses and I’ve grown up a lot… but I just haven’t found ‘the one’ yet.
KAZ CROSSLEY
AGE: 29
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
The first experience I had was so amazing and also so much fun! I’m even more mature now so I’m ready to find a relationship.
SCOTT THOMAS
AGE: 36
SERIES 2 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’ve been on a massive journey over the last five years; I’ve been working on sobriety, personal growth, self development, when I first went into the Villa I was still a bit of a boy.
RONNIE VINT
AGE: 28
SERIES 11 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I learnt so much from my experience last time. In the Villa I was always in ‘triangles’ and what not, but I feel like I’ve grown up a lot.
LUCA BISH
AGE: 25
SERIES 8 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I had such a good time last time, why not? I get to have a good time with the possibility of ending up with someone.
MARCEL SOMERVILLE
AGE: 39
SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I thought that I’d completed love and found my happily ever after – but the universe had a different plan. Somehow every time my life’s at a crossroads, I’ve got the opportunity to do Love Island. So I thought, why not?
CURTIS PRITCHARD
AGE: 28
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I feel like I’m in a different stage in my life. The idea of settling down is a serious idea in my life right now. I haven’t found my true love.
Nas will be entering the villa almost a year after splitting from girlfriend Eva Zapico four years after they met in the villa
NAS MAJEED
AGE: 28
SERIES 6 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
It was so much fun the first time around, waking up every day with a smile on my face – it feels like a full circle moment.
OLIVIA HAWKINS
AGE: 29
SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’m still single and getting close to my thirties, I feel ready for it now. I’m ready to meet a nice man. People misinterpret my honesty and how real I am.
CATHERINE AGBAJE
AGE: 24
SERIES 10 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I want to find love again, I want to give it another shot because it works!
INDIA REYNOLDS
AGE: 34
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’ve been single for two and a half years and I think it’s time to settle down.
I don’t put any effort into dating and I don’t really like meeting people from apps so I’m looking forward to getting to know people in the Villa.
ELMA PAZAR
AGE: 32
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I want to have fun and I want to give it a proper go this time. My time was cut short the first time round and who knows, I could be the next Sophie (Piper) and Josh (Ritchie) or Molly (Smith) and Tom (Clare).
