Love Island reveals first ever disabled contestant
Hugo Hammond was born with clubfoot
With the hugely-anticipated series due to hit our screens on Monday 28th June, Love Island fans are glued to their phones today (21st June) as bosses reveal which Islanders will be taking part.
Bosses have unveiled the show's first ever disabled contestant, in the form of 24-year-old P.E teacher Hugo Hammond.
Hugo, who is from Hampshire, was born with clubfoot, a condition in which an infant's foot is turned inward, resulting in him having a lot of operations as a child.
Speaking about the condition ahead of entering the villa, Hugo said: "I’ve actually played cricket for England PD (Physical Disability). I’ve been to Bangladesh, Dubai, I’ve been everywhere to play cricket. I was born with clubfoot. I had lots of operations when I was a kid. You can only really tell when I walk barefoot. I’ve got a really short achilles heel. I walk slightly on my tip toes."
Speaking about why he's signed up for the popular ITV2 dating show, Hugo said: "I’ve been single for a while now. With the current climate, it’s been really hard to get back into dating. I saw it as an opportunity to have an amazing fun summer and put myself back out there."
Hugo was the fourth Islander to be announced today (Monday 21st June), with a number of other beautiful singletons also due to join the line-up when the show begins.
Check out the official Love Island line-up for 2021:
Sharon Gaffka
The first Love Islander of 2021 was revealed as 25-year-old Sharon, a civil servant and the operations lead for the department of transport. Ooo-errr.
Here's everything you need to know about Sharon, including her pageant queen history.
Aaron Francis
Skincare kings and queens rejoice! We've found you the perfect guy. Aaron Francis, 24, is a luxury events host who, by his own description, "meets a lot of famous people." He's also a pretty big deal on TikTok and YouTube where he regularly blogs about his skincare routine. We are SWOONING already. Here's everything you need to know about him, including his links to the royal family.
Liberty Poole
Liberty, 21, is a marketing student and cheeky waitress, wait for it....at Nando's. The dream. She's from Birmingham and describes herself as a 'social butterfly'. Aw. You can read all about her reasons for going on Love Island here.
Hugo Hammond
PE teacher Hugo, 24, is Love Island's first physically disabled Islander as he was born with clubfoot. He's quite the sporty type, too, who has played cricket for England PD and teaches sport. You can find out even more about him here.
Age: 24
From: Hampshire
Occupation: P.E Teacher
Instagram: hugohammond
Shannon Singh
Scottish babe Shannon,22, is pausing her career in modelling for a stint at finding love in the villa. She has 153k followers on Instagram already and describes herself as a 'party girl'. Here's everything you need to know about Shannon.
Jake Cornish
Big, beefy and tattooed Jake, 24, who is from Weston-Super-Mare is fresh out of a seven-year-long relationship and hoping to make a fresh start in the world's most famous villa. Find out all his history here.
Kaz Kamwi
Hilarious Kaz - who is a TikTok dream - is a Love Island superfan who is now living out her biggest dreams. The 26-year-old a lingerie model, influencer and beauty blogger. Find out who is her type on paper right here.
Age: 26
From: Essex
Occupation: Fashion Blogger
Instagram: kazkamwi
Brad McClelland
Brad, 26, has never been on a date despite having a girlfriend. We're CONFUSED. However, this blue eyed labourer describes himself as a "gym goer and coffee lover" - could he BE anymore wholesome? Here's everything you need to know about the hunk.
Chloe Burrows
Financial Services Marketing Executive Chloe, 25, is all about the good vibes and in her own words, will 'bring the fun to the villa'. We can't wait. Find out more about this sassy babe from Bicester here.
Toby Aromolaran
Footballer Toby, 25, is missing out on England potentially winning the Euros to find the love of his life. Now that's commitment. Like the look of this Essex lad who has never had a girlfriend, head here for all the goss.
Faye Winter
Faye, 26, is Devon's resident diva and a lettings agent by day. She's taken a sabbatical from work to go on the show because in an ideal world she would 'love to go back' as she loves her career so much. Here's everything you need to know about Faye here.
Liam Reardon
Welsh lad and bricklayer Liam, 21 (yes, really), made his entrance as a bombshell with Chuggs, according to his mates, he's got a reputation as 'Mr Steal Your Girl'. Read all about Liam and what he's looking for in the Love Island villa here.
Chuggs Wallis
Bucket hat entrepreneur Chuggs, 23, - his nickname is a mixture of 'cuddles' and 'hugs' - is after a best mate in the villa. Find out his REAL name and his Made In Chelsea roots here.
Rachel Finni
Luxury travel specialist Rachel is the definition of an independent woman. Despite being the oldest contestant on the show this year (she's 29), Rachel is convinced she doesn't have a type. Read everything about her here.
Millie Court
ASOS Fashion Buyers Administrator Millie joined the show in week two as one of the blonde bombshells (along with Lucinda) and had her eyes on Liam. Here's everything you need to know about the fashion babe.
Lucinda Strafford
Fashion boutique owner Lucinda, 21, is set to ruffle a few feather in the villa. Lucinda likes 'em tall, dark and handsome as she's got her eyes on Brad McLelland and Liam Reardon. Here's everything you need to know about her, including her VERY famous ex-boyfriend.
It's been heavily rumoured this year that bosses were going to widen their search for Islanders, with applicants able to apply via dating app Tinder.
Not only that, it's understood for the first time ever that bosses are looking for members of the LGBTQ+ community to take part.
Love Island hits our screens at 9pm on Monday 28th June.
Now read:
Love Island 2021 cast revealed
Love Island reveals support process for contestants ahead of new series
Love Island announce OFFICIAL start date for 2021 series 😱