Love Island revamps format with night‑time villa entrances and surprise eliminations

Series 13 of ITV's Love Island launched with a major format change: twelve new islanders arrived at night in a "star‑lit welcome party" rather than the traditional daytime swim‑wear entrance. Executive Producer Lewis Evans said the move was a "big risk" meant to freshen the show, adding more beds and extra bombshells.

Former islander Kaz Kamwi praised the new night‑time arrivals, calling them "fresh" and saying she was "so jealous" of the contestants who get to avoid makeup melting in the sun. The show also let islanders choose their own coupling partners without a public vote.

In a twist on the opening night, bombshells Yasmin Hadlow and George Knight were given a secret task to select one male and one female islander to leave the villa. They chose Ellie Chadwick and Samraj Toor, though a later reveal suggested the evicted pair might not be permanently removed.

The changes have sparked discussion among fans and gamblers, with early odds favouring contestants Sean "Fitzy" Fitzgerald and Robyn Langton‑Quantrell.