Love Island share first pictures of luxury villa in South Africa

Bosses have upped their game!

Maya Jama and Love Island villa
Author: Georgie HollandPublished 10th Jan 2023
Last updated 10th Jan 2023

As the launch show approaches, there's one thing on all of our minds... Winter Love Island! Yep, the epic show is set to return on Monday 16th January, once again taking contestants out to South Africa.

After revealing the first Islanders on Monday 9th January, bosses have now released pictures of the brand spanking new villa, and it's fair to say they've certainly upped their game this year!

Situated in a wine valley near Cape Town, is in fact named Ludus Magnus - after the largest gladiator school in ancient Rome.

Check out all of the photos from the Love Island 2023 villa below:

Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


Love Island villa 2023


It is reported that Love Island bosses have splurged a massive £1.2 million on the new luxury villa, with them also reportedly set to spend £8,000 a day for 'exclusive use of the eco-retreat'.

Complete with an Olympic training pool, 400m running track, advanced rugby field, a zip line and a private lake, it's one of the biggest villas in the show's history.

The new villa gives us a LOT to be excited about - but that's not all! Of course, we can expect the return of the infamous Casa Amor in the upcoming ninth series of Love Island - with reports suggesting the second villa will be just metres away from the main camp. This would mean contestants could be within earshot of any mischief and goings-on... 👀 .

When does Winter Love Island start?

The brand new Winter edition of Love Island will begin at 9pm on Monday 16th January on ITV2 and ITVX.

Who is the new host?

Following former host Laura Whitmore announcing that she was stepping down from the role in August 2022, it was later revealed that Glow Up host Maya Jama would be taking on the all-important job.

After months of rumours, the news was shared on her socials in a joint post with Love Island, writing: 'Okay, the rumours are true 😉 Say hey to your brand-new #LoveIsland host @mayajama! 💘'.

Who is on Love Island?

Just one week ahead of the new series, bosses unveiled 10 brand new Islanders set to enter the villa. With age ranges between 20-27, this lot are sure to cause some drama. Check out the cast below:

Now read:

Tanya Manhenga

Age: 22
Occupation: Student (biomedical science) and influencer
From: Liverpool

Kai Fagan

Age: 24
Occupation: Science and PE teacher
From: Manchester

Lana Jenkins

Age: 25
Occupation: Makeup Artist
From: Luton

Ron Hall

Age: 25
Occupation: Financial advisor
From: Essex

Anna-May Robey

Age: 20
Occupation: Payroll administrator
From: Swansea

Will Young

Age: 23
Occupation: Farmer
From: Buckinghamshire

Tanyel Revan

Age: 26
Occupation: Hair stylist
From: North London

Shaq Muhammad

Age: 24
Occupation: Airport security officer
From: London

Olivia Hawkins

Age: 27
Occupation: Ring girl and actress
From: Brighton

Haris Namani

Age: 21
Occupation: TV salesman
From: Doncaster

Tom Clare

Age: 23
Occupation: Semi-pro footballer
From: Barnsley

Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown

Age: 25
Occupation: Model and Property developer
From: London

David Salako - DUMPED

Age: 24
Occupation: Mortgage advisor
From: Essex

Aaron Waters

Age: 25
Occupation: Model and Content creator (Appeared on Love Island Australia series 3)
From: Melbourne

Jessie Wynter

Age: 26
Occupation: Personal Trainer and Influencer (Appeared on Love Island Australia series 2)
From: Tasmania

Spencer Wilks

Age: 24
Occupation: E-Commerce Business Owner
From: Bournemouth

Ellie Spence

Age: 25
Occupation: Business Development Executive at a law firm
From: Norwich

Samie Elishi

Age: 22
Occupation: Senior estate agent coordinator
From: London

Casey O’Gorman

Age: 26
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
From: Tring

Jordan Odofin

Age: 28
Occupation: Senior HR Advisor
From: London

Claudia Fogarty

Age: 28
Occupation: Fashion Boutique Owner
From: Blackburn

Maxwell Samuda

Age: 23
Occupation: Finance student and Restaurant host
From: London

Ryan Weekley

Age: 22
Occupation: Steel erector
From: Nottingham

Martin Akinola

Age: 27
Occupation: Senior software engineer
From: Dublin

Frankie Davey

Age: 22
Occupation: Pro Boxer
From: Ipswich

Bayley Mummery

Age: 25
Occupation: Operations manager
From: Surrey

Kain Reed

Age: 21
Occupation: Energy consultant
From: Gateshead

Sanam Harrinanan

Age: 24
Occupation: Social worker
From: Bedford

Lynda Flix

Age: 22
Occupation: Healthcare assistant and Singer
From: Manchester

Sammy James

Age: 27
Occupation: Beauty buyer
From: Leicester, lives in Dubai

Layla Al-Momani

Age: 28
Occupation: Brand managing director
From: South West London

Lydia Karakyriakou

Age: 22
Occupation: Retail customer assistant
From: Glasgow

Cynthia Otseh-Taiwo

Age: 25
Occupation: Dental receptionist and Baker
From: North London

Rosie Seabrook

Age: 24
Occupation: Industry placement advisor
From: Buckinghamshire

Keanan Brand

Age: 24
Occupation: Professional rugby player
From: Wigan

Winter Love Island: Everything you need to know ahead of 2023 return

Everything you need to know about Love Island

All six series of Love Island are now available to binge on ITV Hub 🙌

How to listen to Northsound 1:

For great music, brilliant banter and incredible competitions tune into Northsound 1 on 96.9, 97.6 or 103.0 FM, online, on our Northsound app, your DAB digital radio, or say ‘Play Northsound 1’ on your Smart Speaker. We give you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.