Lewes FC footballer to enter Love Island villa

Tyrique Hyde is among ten contestants in the latest series of the ITV dating show

Author: Ryan BurrowsPublished 30th May 2023

A semi-professional footballer for Lewes FC , who is also deaf in one ear, is among the cast of the new Love Island series.

24-year-old Tyrique Hyde is one of ten contestants announced for the latest run of the ITV2 reality show, which returns to screens next week.

Fans will be given the chance to vote for which contestants will be paired up before the first episode.

Hyde, originally from Essex, joined the Rooks at the start of the 2022/23 season and is the son of former Premier League footballer Micah Hyde, who made over 250 appearances for Watford.

He's also a childhood friend of Toby Aromolaran, who appeared on the show on 2021.

Asked what he wants his fellow contestants to know about him, he said: "That I'm deaf in my right ear.

"I've got a tattoo next to my left one that symbolises strength and power in my good one."

He follows in the footsteps of model and dancer Tasha Ghouri, who became the first deaf contestant to appear on the show in 2022 and wears a cochlear implant to allow her to hear.

Speaking after the announcement was made, a Lewes FC spokesperson said:

"Tyrique is a popular and engaging person and we wish him the best of luck on Love Island.

"Following its conclusion, we will welcome him back to the team with open arms.

"We really look forward to seeing him on the show."

Hyde will be joined by Molly Marsh, 21, from Doncaster, a musical theatre performer and social media creator who has already been to Love Island villas in South Africa and Majorca on press trips thanks to her online following.

Also hoping to find romance is Jess Harding, 22, an aesthetics practitioner from London.

Asked what turns her off, she said: "When a guy stunts for money, that's an ick. Showing off all their designer clothes because most of the time they're probably fake anyway.

"Another one is when a boy runs for the train and the train goes without him.

"Lunch boxes also - just go to Tesco and get a meal deal."

Estate agent Catherine Agbaje, 22, from Dublin, is also joining the line-up, as are model Ella Thomas, 23, from Glasgow, and gas engineer Mitchel Taylor, 26, from Sheffield.

Discussing his turn-offs, Taylor said: "Food in your teeth and counting coins in your hand. When a girl stands at the bar counting out the coins to pay for a drink, it's not for me."

Finishing the line-up are Mehdi Edno, 26, from Bordeaux in France, beautician Ruchee Gurung, 24, from Sutton, business development executive George Fensom, 24, from Bedford, and business owner Andre Furtado, 21, from Dudley.

This will be the first summer series hosted by Maya Jama, who made her Love Island debut during the winter series in South Africa earlier this year after replacing Laura Whitmore.

Voting for the first coupling up opens at 8am on Thursday on the Love Island app. It closes at 9pm on Friday.

Love Island returns to ITV2 and ITVX on Monday June 5.

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