Former Islander Joe Garratt drops MAJOR hint he's returning to Love Island

He appeared on the 2019 series

Author: Alex RossPublished 19th Jan 2023

If you cast your minds back to the 2019 series of Love Island, you'll remember stars like Molly-Mae Hague, Tommy Fury, Maura Higgins, Curtis Pritchard and Amber Gill, but one Islander you can be forgiven for forgetting is Joe Garratt.

Despite seemingly striking up a budding romance with co-star Lucie Donlan early on in the series, poor Joe was dramatically dumped from the villa when their fellow Islanders voted them the least compatible couple.

However, four years on, Joe has hinted he could be following in the footsteps of Adam Collard and making a return to the famous villa.

As the Winter series airs on ITV2 every night, with new Islanders like Ron Hall, Olivia Hawkins and Kai Fagan, Joe has taken to his Instagram Story to share a snap of himself in a stunning looking location. He wrote: 'some very exciting news coming tomorrow and yes, it may involve a certain island. 👀❤️🌴'. (sic)

As fans will know, Lucie chose not to leave the villa with Joe back in 2019, with the South East London lad going on to appear in reality show TOWIE, after being romantically linked to Chloe Sims' sister Frankie Sims.

In recent years, Joe has dated both Desiree Schlotz and Sophie Batzloff, but going by his social media pages, it looks like he could be now single again.

At the time of publication, Joe is yet to confirm his 'exciting news', so it's not yet known if he is heading into the South African villa.

Check out the current couples in the Love Island villa:


Claudia and Keanan

As a new bombshell, Keanan was able to chose who he wanted to couple up with, with him deciding to pair up with Claudia, taking her from Casey.

Rosie and Casey

Bombshell Rosie chose to couple up with Casey, after finding a connection with him in the short time she had been in the villa - much to the dismay of Claudia, who he was previously coupled up with.

Sanam and Kai

Kai brought Sanam back from Casa Amor, and the pair have gone from strength to strength since, coupling up again during the eighth recoupling.

Samie and Tom

The pair have had an eventful week following Casa Amor, however Samie was left smitten when Tom wrote her a love poem. Despite having a rough week following his antics in the other villa, Samie chose to couple up with Tom yet again.

Jessie and Will

After a rough week for the couple following Will's Casa Amor antics, Jessie chose to stick with her man - with the pair confessing their love for each other earlier in the week.

Olivia and Maxwell

After bringing him back from Casa Amor, Olivia and Maxwell have seemed pretty smitten, with Olivia choosing to couple up with her man yet again.

Lana and Ron

Coupling up once more was Lana and Ron, with Lana giving a sweet speech revealing she's falling for him.

Tanya and Shaq

Tanya chose to couple up with Shaq again, despite bringing Martin back from Casa Amor. After an eventful week, including an explosive Movie Night, Tanya chose to recouple with her man Shaq, sending Martin home.


Jessie and Will

Despite Will kissing new girl Layla, he chose to stick with Jessie during the recoupling. After Jessie also came back alone, after staying loyal over at Casa, the pair were reunited, but Will later owned up to his behaviour with Layla.

Lana and Ron

Although they've had their ups and downs in the villa, both Lana and Ron remained loyal during Casa Amor, with the pair being reunited during the recoupling!

Samie and Tom

After Samie returned back from Casa Amor alone, she was buzzing to see Tom standing on his own waiting for her. However, Tom was forced to confess he'd 'tested' himself by getting to know new girl Lydia, much to the annoyance of Samie and the rest of the girls.

Sanam and Kai

Kai chose to get to know new girl Sanam during Casa, after worrying Olivia wasn't quite as into him as she made out. During the recoupling, Kai chose to follow his heart and couple up with Sanam, admitting he hopes Olivia brings another boy back.

Olivia and Maxwell

Olivia certainly did come back with a new boy, in the form of Maxwell. However, the Islanders and viewers at home were left very confused at Olivia's reaction to seeing Kai had recoupled!

Claudia and Casey

Despite kissing and enjoying time with two new girls during Casa Amor, Casey chose to stick with Claudia during the recoupling. As Claudia also arrived back alone, the pair once again coupled up.

Tanya and Martin

In perhaps the most shocking recoupling of the series, Tanya chose to bring back new boy Martin into the villa, despite previously telling Shaq that she 'loved' him. As Shaq remained loyal, he's now left single.


Tanya and Shaq

There's no sign of any issues for Tanya and Shaq, as the pair recoupled yet again.

Jessie and Will

Following their night away in The Hideaway, Jessie and Will couldn't look more smitten!

Lana and Ron

After weeks of drama for these two, Ron finally chose to couple up with Lana, meaning it's the first time they've been in an official couple together since Week One.

Casey and Claudia

Despite being dumped by Lana just days after the fifth recoupling, Casey found a quick connection with new girl Claudia!

Samie and Tom

Despite being asked on a date by new girl Claudia, Tom chose to once again couple up with Samie.

Olivia and Kai

It took them a while, but it looks like Olivia and Kai are getting stronger each day.

Ellie and Jordan

After failing to find a romantic connection with both Ellie and Tanyel, Jordan chose to couple up with Ellie on a friendship basis, in turn sending Tanyel home.


Tanya and Shaq

Another week, another Tanya and Shaq coupling!

Jessie and Will

Aussie girl Jessie is growing more fond of farmer Will by the day! Despite interest from new boy Casey, Jessie quickly friend zoned him, admitting she's happy with Will.

Olivia and Kai

It took her a few weeks to find the right man, but it looks like Olivia is getting on VERY well with Kai!

Ellie and Jordan

After cooling things off with Tom, despite their kiss on the terrace, Ellie chose to couple up with new boy Jordan during the fifth recoupling.

Samie and Tom

After growing closer during the week, Samie chose to couple up with Tom!

Lana and Casey

Lana had the biggest decision of the night during the fifth recoupling, new boy Casey or Ron! Admitting she went with her 'gut', Lana chose to couple up with Casey, leaving the villa in shock.

Tanyel and Ron

After Lana shocked the villa by coupling up with new boy Casey, Ron was the only boy left for Tanyel to pick, with the pair once again being in a friendship couple.


Tanya and Shaq

It seems there's no stopping these two! They've been together from Day One and they've now said the 'L' word!

Jessie and Will

Jessie once again couldn't wait to get back in Will's arms, running to the sofa to join him when he picked her.

Samie and Kai

Following his falling out with Tanyel and the arrival of new bombshell Samie, Kai chose to pick Samie to couple up with. However, by the looks of her face during the recoupling, she wasn't best pleased!

Lana and Aaron

Aussie Aaron once again chose to couple up with Lana, admitting he would like her to find someone in the villa who she has a connection with.

Tanyel and Ron

After Kai chose new bombshell Samie, and Aaron chose Lana, Ron made the decision to couple up on a friendship basis with Tanyel, but could something materialise between these two?

Ellie and Tom

Following his fallouts with Zara and Olivia, Tom chose to couple up with Ellie, in turn sending Zara home!

Olivia and Spencer

Although sparks haven't flown too much between these two just yet, Spencer once again picked Olivia in the recoupling.


Zara and Tom

Despite the arrival of two bombshells, Tom stuck by Zara as the pair coupled up yet again.

Jessie and Will

An overjoyed Will beamed as he chose to couple up with Aussie bombshell Jessie, and it's safe to say the pair are adorable together, with her running to join her man on the sofa.

Tanyel and Kai

Following Anna-May getting dumped from the villa, Kai coupled up with Tanyel as the pair began getting close again.

Tanya and Shaq

Totally smitten, Shaq chose to once again couple up with Tanya - even admitting he could see himself falling in love with her!

Olivia and Spencer

Following Haris' dumping, Olivia was swiftly swept up by bombshell Spencer, and the pair seem pretty keen on one another.

Ellie and Ron

In a twist, bombshell Ellie decided to couple up with Ron, who was gearing up to re-join his girl Lana. Ellie claimed she felt Ron hadn't met his match yet, before deciding to couple up with him.

Lana and Aaron

As the last one standing, Aaron coupled with with Lana, advising her to keep her head held high as they build their friendship together.


Tanya and Shaq

Despite interest from bombshell David, Tanya chose to stick with Shaq during the recoupling, meaning poor David was sent packing.

Tanyel and Ron

Tanyel caused a stir by choosing to couple up with Ron, despite him seemingly being happy getting to know Lana.

Lana and Will

As she was unable to couple up with Ron, thanks to Tanyel, Lana chose to couple up with Will on a friendship basis.

Zara and Tom

New girl Zara was quick to make an impact in the villa, with the model choosing to couple up with footballer Tom, stealing him from Olivia,

Olivia and Haris

With the choice of Tom gone, Olivia chose to couple up with Haris, after the pair enjoyed a number of good chats in the first week.

Anna-May and Kai

After realising she had no connection with Haris, Anna-May chose to couple with Kai.


Olivia and Tom

Following the arrival of the first bombshell Tom, the footballer chose to couple up with Olivia, leaving poor Will single.

Tanyel and Kai

Tanyel chose to couple up with Kai on Day One.

Anna-May and Haris

Anna-May chose to couple up with Haris on Day One.

Lana and Ron

Lana chose to couple up with Ron on Day One.

Olivia and Will

After finding herself on the subs bench, Olivia had to couple up with Will on Day One.

Tanya and Shaq

Tanya chose to couple up with Shaq on Day One.

Joe isn't the only former Islander to be dropping hints about returning to the popular show. Both Arabella Chi and Joanna Chimonides have got tongues wagging in recent weeks, with both girls posting some cryptic messages.

Whilst Joanna posted a snap of herself in South Africa ahead of the launch show, Arabella confirmed she would be 'back on TV this month'.

Of course, at the moment, ITV are yet to confirm if any former Islanders will take part in the current Winter series.

So far, three bombshells have entered the villa in the form of Tom Clare, Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown and David Salako.

Follow this year's cast on Instagram:

Tanya Manhenga

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


Instagram: talkswithtt_

Kai Fagan

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


Instagram: kaifagan_

Lana Jenkins

Age: 25
Occupation: Makeup Artist
From: Luton


Instagram: lanajenkinss

Ron Hall

Age: 25
Occupation: Financial advisor
From: Essex


Instagram: ronhall__

Anna-May Robey

Age: 20
Occupation: Payroll administrator
From: Swansea


Instagram: annamayrobey

Will Young

Age: 23
Occupation: Farmer
From: Buckinghamshire


Instagram: farmer_will

Tanyel Revan

Age: 26
Occupation: Hair stylist
From: North London


Instagram: tanyelrevan

Shaq Muhammad

Age: 24
Occupation: Airport security officer
From: London


Instagram: shaq24s

Olivia Hawkins

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


Instagram: livhawkinss

Haris Namani

Age: 21
Occupation: TV salesman
From: Doncaster


Instagram: haris_namanii

Tom Clare

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


Instagram: tomclare

Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown

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


Instagram: itszaradeniz

David Salako

Age: 24
Occupation: Mortgage advisor
From: Essex


Instagram: davidsxalako

Aaron Waters

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


Instagram: aaronmwaters

Jessie Wynter

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


Instagram: jessiereneewynter

Spencer Wilks

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


Instagram: spennywilks

Ellie Spence

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


Instagram: elliespennie

Samie Elishi

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


Instagram: samieelishi

Casey O’Gorman

Age: 26
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
From: Tring


Instagram: caseyogorman

Jordan Odofin

Age: 28
Occupation: Senior HR Advisor
From: London


Instagram: N/A

Claudia Fogarty

Age: 28
Occupation: Fashion Boutique Owner
From: Blackburn


Instagram: claudiafogarty

Frankie Davey

Age: 22
Occupation: Pro Boxer
From: Ipswich


Instagram: frankie_davey

Bayley Mummery

Age: 25
Occupation: Operations manager
From: Surrey


Instagram: bayley_mummery

Maxwell Samuda

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


Instagram: maxwells16_

Kain Reed

Age: 21
Occupation: Energy consultant
From: Gateshead
Instagram: kain.reed

Ryan Weekley

Age: 22
Occupation: Steel erector
From: Nottingham


Instagram: ryanweekley1

Martin Akinola

Age: 27
Occupation: Senior software engineer
From: Dublin


Instagram: N/A

Sanam Harrinanan

Age: 24
Occupation: Social worker
From: Bedford


Instagram: sanamiee

Lynda Flix

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


Instagram: lyndaflix

Layla Al-Momani

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


Instagram: laylaalmomani

Sammy James

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


Instagram: sammymayjames

Cynthia Otseh-Taiwo

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


Instagram: N/A

Lydia Karakyriakou

Age: 22
Occupation: Retail customer assistant
From: Glasgow


Instagram: lydiakarax

Keanan Brand

Age: 24
Occupation: Professional rugby player
From: Wigan
Instagram: keabrand

Rosie Seabrook

Age: 24
Occupation: Industry placement advisor
From: Buckinghamshire
Instagram: rosieseabrook

Love Island continues every night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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Love Island fans shocked at contestant Kai Fagan's real age

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