Essex man unveiled as first partially sighted Love Island contestant

Ron Hall lost sight in one eye during a football injury

Published 9th Jan 2023
Last updated 9th Jan 2023

An Essex man has been named as the first ever partially-sighted contestant to appear on Love Island.

One week ahead of the brand new series of Winter Love Island, bosses have been busy unveiling this year's cast.

Following the signing of deaf contestant Tasha Ghouri last summer, this year's show will see 25-year-old Ron Hall enter the villa, who is blind in one eye following a football injury when he was just eight-years-old.

Speaking ahead of his entrance, Ron explained: "On meeting me, you’d never know I am blind in one eye. It was the result of a football injury when I was 8; I went in for a header and got kicked in the face. I’ve got two different coloured eyes, one blue and one green. It’s added to my character, there are so many people that are worse off than me.

"And if anything, losing something like that makes you realise that. It’s not hindered me in any shape or form. It’s a good conversation starter I must admit."

Who is Ron Hall?

Ron is a 25-year-old financial advisor from Essex who is taking part in the 2023 Winter edition of Love Island.

Speaking about what he thinks he will bring to the villa, Ron said: "Fun and charisma. I just want to be naturally myself in there, have good times and make memories. I think people will enjoy my company."

Ron describes himself as: "I’m the most genuine person you’ll meet. I’m genuine, caring and I’m a nice person - which you don’t find these days."

Who else is on Love Island?

On Monday 9th January, ITV bosses started to unveil this year's first Islanders, kicking things off with student Tanya Manhenga.

Check out the line-up so far:

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

The upcoming series will be just the second Winter edition of the popular show in its history, after the 2020 series out in South Africa which saw Finn Tapp and Paige Turley win the show.

Although the new series is returning to Cape Town in South Africa once again, bosses have splashed out on a stunning new villa, which is reportedly going to be complete with an Olympic training pool, a 400m running track, an advanced rugby field, a zip line and a private lake.

New host Maya Jama has now flown over to South Africa ahead of next Monday's launch show.

Love Island begins on Monday 16th January on ITV2.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.