- No celebrity bombshells this season despite rumors.
- A massive week-one twist will change how Islanders couple up.
- Over 50 bombshells expected—more than ever before.
- Multi-location clues suggest a possible Casa Amor expansion.
- Joey Essex won’t return, with producers avoiding another celeb-heavy season.
Love Island fans were stunned last summer when TOWIE star Joey Essex became the show’s first-ever celebrity contestant, strutting into the villa as a bombshell on day one. His arrival set the tone for a dramatic season, sparking debates about whether reality TV stars should mix with regular Islanders.
Now, as the 2025 series unfolds, producers are teasing another game-changing twist—but they’ve confirmed one thing: Joey Essex won’t be making a comeback.
So, what’s in store this time? From never-before-seen coupling twists to rumors of a crossover with Love Island USA, here’s everything we know about the show’s bold new direction.
Love Island 2025: A Celebrity Bombshell Twist—Or Something Bigger?
After Joey’s headline-grabbing entrance in 2024, speculation ran wild that ITV might double down on celebrity contestants. Names like TOWIE’s Ella Rae Wise and even Princess Andre (daughter of Katie Price and Peter Andre) were floated as potential bombshells. However, Love Island’s creative director, Mike Spencer, quickly dismissed those rumors:
“Last year, I knew about Joey Essex and I said, ‘Trust me in week one something big is coming’… something big is coming in week one. It’s not Joey Essex.”
Spencer also confirmed that no other high-profile stars are joining this season, putting an end to theories about a full-blown celebrity takeover.
The Real Twist? A Format Shakeup Unlike Anything Before
While fans won’t see another Joey-style bombshell, Spencer hinted at a groundbreaking twist that’s never been attempted in any version of Love Island globally. He teased:
“The way the islanders are coupled up is completely different. There will be things happening the first couple of days that we’ve not done before. And certainly in week one, there’s something incredibly big coming.”
Rumors suggest the twist could involve:
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A third villa location (beyond Majorca and Casa Amor), possibly in Marbella.
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A crossover with Love Island USA, given the show’s recent scheduling alignment.
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“Hotel Amor”—a spicy twist tested in Love Island Australia, where Islanders pair up with non-partners in private suites.
Fan Theories Run Wild—Could Ronnie Return?
Following his split from co-star Harriett Blackmore, some viewers speculated that fan-favorite Islander Ronnie might make a shock return as a post-Casa Amor bombshell. Reddit users joked:
“Ronnie will be the big post-Casa bombshell by then.”
While producers haven’t confirmed his return, the buzz alone proves fans are hungry for unexpected twists.
What’s Next for Joey Essex? Boxing, Not Love
Since leaving the villa, Joey Essex has kept busy—dabbling in Selling Sunset, reigniting his boxing ambitions, and even teasing a potential fight with fellow Islander Tommy Fury. In a recent interview, he revealed:
“I’ve been in talks for a big boxing fight that would be publicised for everyone to tune into and watch… 2025 is the year of Joey Don Essex.”
Love Island may have been just another stop in his reality TV journey, but his legacy as the show’s first celebrity bombshell is undeniable.
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Last Updated on July 7, 2025 by 247 News Around The World
