Love Island bosses have made a u-turn decision to include a tribute to former islander Mike Thalassitis in tonight’s opening show.

Execs had previously explained there would be no mention of Mike, who died by suspected suicide on 15 March, in this year’s programme, but changed their minds following upset from fans.

A source close to the show told The Mirror: ‘Producers wanted to pay their respects to Mike and show his friends, family and fans that he was a part of the Love Island family and is missed deeply by everyone.

‘It is a really difficult subject but they wanted to address it rather than sweep it under the carpet or pretend it hasn’t happened.’

ITV were originally going to leave a tribute to Mike out of the main show, but honour him on its on-demand service which would play the 2017 series on which he appeared.

Love Island has faced a lot of criticism over their mental health screening and aftercare practices since Mike’s death, especially since he isn’t the first islander to have died by suicide – Sophie Gradon also passed away in 2018.

In response to Mike and Sophie’s deaths – and that of Steve Dymond, who took his own life a week after appearing on The Jeremy Kyle Show – Love Island has revamped its duty of care to contestants.

As a result, on leaving the show each islander will now have 14 months of proactive contact with bosses, receive social media and financial advice and training, and have a minimum of eight therapy sessions.

During filming there will be a team of senior staff with Mental Health First Aid training on hand and the implications of appearing on the show will be explained fully verbally and in writing.

An inquest into Mike’s death has recently been postponed due to a lack of senior coroners, though a new date has not been set.

At his funeral, Mike’s family asked attendees to donate to CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), a charity dedicated to reducing male suicide rates as it’s currently the biggest killer of men aged under 45 in the UK.

Love Island starts on 3 June.

MORE: Caroline Flack confirms she’s dating again and admits love is ‘the best feeling in the world’

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Love Island’s sassy narrator Iain Stirling doesn’t hold back when it comes to taking the mick out of the islanders, but turns out that extends to a few select others too – namely, Piers Morgan.

In an interview with Piers and fellow Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid, Iain refused to give any details about his relationship with girlfriend Laura Whitmore.

‘You’re on Love Island, but you’re actually with the beautiful Laura Whitmore,’ started Piers. ‘A, how have you managed to do this? And B, when are you going to make an honest woman of her?’

Well, he’s nothing if not direct.

Susanna wasn’t impressed with Piers’ line of questioning as she accused him of being too personal and told him Iain and Laura’s relationship was ‘none of his business’.

But Iain gave as good as he got and savaged Piers with a simple yet effective answer: ‘There are many people I would discuss personal matters with Piers, sadly you are not one of them.’

Piers didn’t take the comment to heart as he burst into laughter, but defended his question by saying: ‘I don’t think the Love Island narrator can get all coy about his love life.’

The comedian has been dating Laura since 2017, and the pair are more than happy to share their lives on Instagram – just not with Piers Morgan

Ahead of the new series of Love Island, Iain recently revealed he’s been told to tone down the meanness to the new contestants and has been told in previous years to axe certain jokes by ITV bosses.

Speaking on Sunday Brunch, the 31-year-old said: ‘Some of [the jokes] they let us do – and some they say: “You obviously can’t say that”.’

He went on to explain how his voice is recognised everywhere: ‘Because people do recognise the voice – but definitely sometimes when I say “I do this show called Love Island” the penny drops.

‘I definitely have things like, I’m on the phone to the bank and they’re like, “Are you from Love Island?”’

Love Island starts 3 June at 9pm on ITV2.

MORE: Love Island’s Tommy Fury ‘dated Hollyoaks star Chelsee Healey’ before heading to the villa

MORE: Love Island 2019 officially kicks off as girls enter the villa with Caroline Flack for first coupling up

Love Island returns to our screens this Monday with twelve new contestants stepping into the villa looking for love.

It is a show that has continued to grow in popularity, with last year attracting the shows biggest ever viewing figures.

The 2018 series launched with a peak audience of 3.3 million viewers, and more could be tuning in for the start of the new series on Monday night.

Here is everything you need to know about the show and how long it has been going.

How many seasons of Love Island has there been?

There has been a total of four series of the current version of Love Island, with the first airing on ITV2 in June 2015.

The series had 23 different islanders across the 29 episodes, and it was eventually won by Jessica Hayes and Max Morley.

In each series the number of islanders taking part and the amount of episodes has continued to increase, with last years show seeing 38 contestants take part across 49 episodes.

Despite the dating reality show being in its fourth series, there was actually a celebrity version of the show, which aired in 2005 and 2006.

Celebrity Love Island lasted for two series on ITV before being axed in November 2006.

It wasn’t until 2015 that a reboot of the show was announced, which wouldn’t feature celebrity contestants.

If you include these two seasons, then there has been six series of Love Island, with the seventh getting underway on Monday.

Where Love Island is filmed has changed at different points across the series, with contestants originally being placed at a villa in Armstrong Island, Fiji in 2005.

When the show had its reboot in 2015 the location of the show moved to Majorca for the first to series, where Islanders were at a villa based in Ses Salines.

Since 2017 the show has been set in Sant Llorenc des Cardassar, and the villa includes a pool and hot tube, as well as a secondary villa called Casa Amor.

The £50,000 cash prize for the winning couple has remained the same throughout the first four series of the reboot, and they have often receive lucrative deals once they leave the villa for various ads and TV appearances.

Who are the Love Island presenters?

Caroline Flack has been the presenter for the series since it launched in 2015, while the episodes are narrated by comedian Iain Stirling.

Caroline also started presenting the spin-off show Love Island: Aftersun in 2017, which includes celebrity guests and a studio audience.

The first series of Celebrity Love Island in 2005 was presented by Patrick Kielty and Kelly Brook, but Kelly was replaced by Fearne Cotton for the second series in 2006.

MORE: Love Island’s Caroline Flack defends show’s body diversity after Jameela Jamil’s criticism

MORE: Love Island’s Tommy Fury reveals brother Tyson wants him to have sex in villa

Following the success of America’s Got Talent: The Champions earlier this year it’s no surprise that a British version of the show is on its way.

And Ant and Dec finally confirmed the news we’ve all been waiting for during the Britain’s Got Talent semi-final on Sunday night – that not only is it happening but that Susan Boyle is involved.

The Scottish singer shot to worldwide fame on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 but finished second to dance troupe Diversity – so will be in with another shot at a Got Talent title on home turf when she joins other acts from around the world on the series.

But when’s it going to be on and who else is taking part?

Here’s what we know so far…

When does Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions start?

At the moment there’s no confirmed date for the series, although Ant confirmed, while talking to Susan Boyle after she had performed at the final, that the series would air later this year.

Who will be taking part in the series alongside Susan Boyle?

So far, no other acts have been confirmed for the series.

However Ant gave viewers some idea of what to expect when he said that ‘the finest acts of the last 13 years od BGT will compete with some of the best acts from around the world to find the ultimate champion’.

America’s Got Talent: The Champions featured the likes of Paul Potts, Ashleigh and Sully and 2018 winner Lost Voice Guy – so don’t be too surprised if some of them show up in the British version.

However the series was won by magician Shin Lim – who is the reigning America’s Got Talent champion.

Simon Cowell was reportedly particularly keen to secure SuBo for the show after she missed out on the AGT prize, finishing sixth in the final.

‘American viewers were furious when SuBo didn’t win and now Simon wants to give her a second shot by getting her on the British version of the show,’ a source told The Sun.

‘Susan’s a great competitor, has a fascinating back story and is really popular with the British public.

Who will be presenting Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions?

Ant and Dec are set to front the show, all but confirming themselves on Sunday night after Dec quipped: ‘Have they got a host yet?’ to which Ant replied: ‘I think we’re doing it.’

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the new set of Love Island contestants are in the villa.

Things are already heating up in the Majorca pad as the Islanders stripped down to their swimwear ahead of the first episode of 2019’s series tonight.

And it looks like the new love hopefuls are raring to go, with their new poolside pics showing more toned abs and legs than you can shake a gym membership at.

With this year’s series vowing to push more diversity, viewers will be tuned in to watch a scientist, a firefighter and a boxer among those looking to find love in the sun.

But despite their varying professions, dazzling smiles and impressive physiques – will they be each other’s type on paper?

Could Yewande Biala, 23, be the new Alex this year? The scientist is heading into the villa packing beauty and brains ahead of tonight’s debut.

But don’t be too fooled, she hasn’t completely ruled out stepping on anyone’s toes just yet.

She said: ‘I can’t imagine stealing someone’s man in there, but never say never.’

21-year-old surfer, Lucie Donlan and 26-year-old cabin crew manager, Amy Hart, are no strangers to testing the waters. But will they be diving in head first with the fellas on tonight’s first show?

Beauty therapist Amber Gill is looking for someone who can make her laugh, while 22-year-old catering company owner Joe Garrett is already being coined as the next Eyal, as he’s looking for a ‘connection’ with the right lady.

This year’s Love Island also sees the faces of celebrities Tyson Fury and AJ Pritchard’s brothers – Tommy Fury and Curtis Pritchard – as they vow to step out of the shadows of their brothers’ fame and into the arms of a lucky lady.

Liverpudlian firefighter Michael Griffiths might just be the right man to keep things cool in the villa while gym owner Anton Danyluk is already getting ready to break some hearts.

28-year-old pharmacist Anna Vakili is representing the curvy girls this year, while both 20-year-old Sherif Lanre and 28-year-old Callum Macleod are looking for a good time in the villa and a hopeful soulmate at the end of it.

As well as a pool of new faces this year, the fifth series of Love Island will also pay tribute to former contestant Mike Thelassitis tonight, who died by suspected suicide on 15 March this year.

As a result of his passing and that of 2016 contestant Sophie Graden in 2018, the reality show have revamped their duty of care to the contestants.

The shows participants will now receive 14 months of proactive contact with bosses, receive social media and financial advice and training, and have a minimum of eight therapy sessions.

Tonight the Love Island girls will step forward for ‘their type’, as the boys enter the villa one-by-one. But who will be left stranded if two new guys enter the villa unexpectedly?

Love Island kicks off Monday 3 June at 9pm on ITV2.

MORE: Love Island’s Iain Stirling savages Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain: ‘I wouldn’t discuss my personal life with you’

MORE: Love Island will pay tribute to Mike Thalassitis following outrage from fans

Love Island is about to return to our screens as twelve new hopefuls arrive for the new series.

Five girls have officially entered the villa in Majorca and they are set to be joined by seven men in tonight’s episode as the first coupling gets underway.

This year’s Love Island line-up includes people from a variety of backgrounds and careers, including a chef, a surfer, a scientist and a firefighter.

Here is everything that you need to know about tonight’s episode and how you can watch it.

When does Love Island 2019 start?

Love Island 2019 begins on ITV2 at 21.00 on Monday 3 June.

It is a similar start date to the previous four season, and it is set to follow the same format as previous years.

Tonight’s episode will be on for one hour and thirty five minutes as we are introduced to the new line-up, but most of the shows each week are set to last for an hour.

An exact length of the new series hasn’t been confirmed yet, but so far the number of episodes has increased each year.

Series one in 2015 lasted fir 29 episodes and had 23 Islanders take part, while last year saw 38 Islanders join the villa across 49 episodes.

The prize money of £50,000 is set to remain the same for the winning couple, and as usual there is often the potential for plenty of media opportunities after leaving the show.

Caroline Flack returns as host for the show, and she will be greeting the new arrivals in tonight’s episode and setting up the first coupling of the series.

Iain Sterling also returns as the narrator for series five, and ahead of tonight’s show he shut down Piers Morgan on Good Morning after being questioned about his relationship with Laura Whitmore.

If you miss tonight’s episode, it will be available to watch any time on ITV Player.

MORE: Love Island’s Iain Stirling savages Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain: ‘I wouldn’t discuss my personal life with you’

MORE: My time on Love Island: the first day was the absolute worst

Love Island narrator Iain Stirling has called the diversity debate ‘tricky’, amid complaints about the lack of different shapes and sizes in the villa.

There were reports that more plus-size bodies would be introduced to Love Island this year, after size 8 bodies and six-packs dominated the villa over the past four series.

However, when the new batch of islanders conformed to the usual type, people were rather disappointed – and while Iain reckons Love Island is a ‘fantasy TV show’, he does understand why.

The 31-year-old comedian appeared on Capital Breakfast ahead of the show’s return tonight on ITV2, when Vick Hope broached the topic of body diversity.

She said: ‘A lot of people were hoping that there would be a bit more body diversity in the cast this year, and so far, I’m just gonna say, from what we’ve seen, it doesn’t look that way.

‘There’s a lot of six packs and a lot of very slim girls. Do you think something’s going to be done?’

Iain, who is dating Laura Whitmore, said: ‘You know, it’s a really interesting question actually and it is something that merits more debate. I just feel like Love Island is like a fantasy TV show. We’re showing our, sort of, in my opinion, a comedy ideal of what paradise is like.

‘But I think other shapes and sizes will fit into that narrative but I just think it’s a… finding the right people who fit the tone of the show. So it’s a tricky one, it is a tricky one and the reason it’s a hot topic is because there’s no correct answer. But I think sometimes when something like Love Island becomes such a significant cultural reference, a lot of pressure’s put on it that maybe could also be taken by society in general, do you know what I mean?

‘So there’s plenty places that we could get our, you know, different shapes and sizes from. Is Love Island the correct platform for it? I mean, it definitely could be and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be, and maybe one day it’ll happen but it’s tricky.’

ITV bosses put their foot in it when they attempted to respond to the backlash over the casting, with series boss Richard Cowles saying: ‘We try and be as representative and diverse as possible but first and foremost it’s an entertainment show. It’s about people wanting to watch and them reacting and falling in love with another.

‘Yes, we want to be as representative as possible but we also want them to be attracted to one another.’

Host Caroline Flack defended the show, telling The Sun: ‘Of course, people will look at things on face value and judge them, but the show is so much more than that, it really is.

‘And you can only cast a show on who’s right for it, in a relationship sense. It’s a dating show. You can only choose out of the people that apply. They’ve just got to be right in that moment, they don’t cast it because of what they look like, it’s who’s in the right moment.’

And former islander Zara McDermott called for more ‘diversity in personality’.

She told Metro.co.uk that the show needs more ‘inclusivity in terms of ethnicity, in terms of body shape. I think it is not only about appearance but it is about the diversity of personality.’

Love Island returns tonight at 9pm on ITV2.

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MORE: Love Island’s Iain Stirling savages Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain: ‘I wouldn’t discuss my personal life with you’

Sunday night saw the nation’s newest sweetheart Colin Thackery bag himself £250,000 and a spot on the Royal Variety Performance bill when he won this year’s series of Britain’s Got Talent.

And it turns out it wasn’t even a close call, as Colin’s rendition of Love Changes Everything garnered a whopping 25.3% of the public vote.

For comparison, runner up X – who revealed himself as last year’s semi-finalist Marc Spelmann – received 17.8% of the vote, while magician Ben Hart was given 10.2%.

Colin did impress more viewers with his Wednesday night performance of We’ll Meet Again dedicated to his wife, as he got 29.1% of the vote on that night.

It could be down to the fact that he was up against less popular acts such as dance troupe KNE and Gomonov Knife Show.

The least popular act of the semi-finals was Ursula Burns, the innuendo-fuelled harp player whose performance was branded ‘uncomfortable’ by viewers. She gained 0.6% of the vote on the Thursday night show.

Ouch.

Before the final, Colin said he would be able to ‘die happy’ if he met the Queen, telling The Sun: ‘I served my Queen for 25 years, so if I thought I would have the chance to sing to her, I would die a happy man.

‘It is very difficult for me to put into words how much it would mean. I cannot even imagine being on that stage in the presence of royalty. It would be absolutely marvellous.’

On hearing the announcement that he’d won, the Chelsea pensioner looked a little shellshocked and told Ant and Dec he was ‘absolutely astonished’.

‘It’s incredible, I don’t know what to say. I’m stuck for words for a change,’ he added. ‘Thank you very much, all of you, all the backing I’ve had. It’s been wonderful.’

MORE: Britain’s Got Talent’s health and safety staff rush on during Jonathan Goodwin’s terrifying act

MORE: Cheryl spotted in Britain’s Got Talent audience hours after ruling out performance

Caroline Flack is hoping a threesome will take place in the Love Island villa this year as we patiently wait for series five to kick off.

The 39-year-old presenter, who has confirmed she’s dating again and love is ‘the best feeling in the world’, revealed that The Hideaway is now home to a hot tub and reckons that it’ll see some action – especially if producers allow more than two people to enter the romantic escape.

‘We haven’t had a threesome,’ Caroline began. ‘We don’t usually let three people in The Hideaway – there’s usually only two. Maybe this year we can.’

Continuing to The Sun, she said: ‘The hot tub being in The Hideaway is a good thing. I think they’ll use it more. Hot tubs with two people are sexy. Hot tubs with six are dirty.’

Despite being keen for this year’s cast to have a ménage à trois, Caroline insists that the show doesn’t need couples having sex to bring in the viewers.

‘You don’t need it unless it’s part of the storyline,’ she added to the publication. ‘It becomes a bit unnecessary to just see people shagging.

‘We’re so much more than that and that’s what people really enjoy.’

Although just a few more hours stand in between the forthcoming series, Love Island is officially underway as the girls entered the villa last night.

Amy Hart, Amber Gill, Anna Vakili, Yewande Biala and Lucie Dolan all arrived to their Majorcan home with Caroline joining them around the fire pit before introducing them to the male islanders for the first coupling up of the series.

Already the islanders are getting used to stripping off to their swimwear with a number of poolside pics showing them enjoying the sunshine. We’re not jealous at all, promise.

Love Island is set to pay tribute to the late contestant Mike Thalassitis tonight following outrage from fans.

Love Island kicks off tonight at 9pm on ITV.

MORE: ‘It’s a fantasy’: Iain Stirling calls Love Island diversity debate ‘tricky’

MORE: What time does Love Island 2019 start tonight as twelve new hopefuls enter villa?

Britain’s Got Talent magician Marc Spelmann has spilled the beans on who really knew he was the surprise contestant X.

Marc pulled off one hell of a trick when he unveiled himself as X during the live final after pulling off an amazing mind reading trick on Sunday night’s show.

His stunt worked beautifully as he went on to finish in second place behind winner Colin Thackery.

Appearing on Monday’s Lorraine to talk about the final, he revealed that other than his family and a ‘good friend’ no one else at Britain’s Got Talent were in on it.

‘I had a good friend of mine following me around everywhere talking to everyone for me, it was very la-di-dah,’ he explained.

‘My wife obviously knew and Isabella knew because I’d been rehearsing. She was quite used to me being in a mask. She thinks everyone in a white mask is her dad.’

Adding that it was ‘difficult’ to keep his identity secret, he found the experience ‘so much fun’.

‘We all want to be superheroes, X was a superhero to me.

‘X is a concept, I’ve always loved the notion of an anonymous character that evokes magic from people.

‘The most powerful magic you can see is if I can make you do something incredible, that’s going to resonate with you so much more.

Marc was Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly’s golden buzzer act in 2018.

As he pulled off his mask to reveal himself in the final, the magician said: ‘It was always hope and never giving up. It’s been an honour sharing X with you. I am X. Thank you.’

Lorraine airs weekdays from 8.30am on ITV.

MORE: Caroline Flack hopes Love Island will see its first threesome thanks to The Hideaway hot tub

MORE: Colin Thackery storms Britain’s Got Talent final as voting percentages revealed

Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jonathan Goodwin almost died when a live television stunt went scarily wrong over a decade ago.

The escapologist, who had health and safety staff rush onto the stage during his performance on the ITV competition last night, had to be cut down when the trick named ‘Cheating the Gallows’ didn’t go according to plan on E4 show Death Wish Live.

Horrific scenes saw Jonathan attempt to free himself in 30 seconds as he was suspended from the gallows with a noose tied around his neck and his hands cuffed.

After half a minute had passed, it was clear that Jonathan wouldn’t be able to untie himself and his limp body fell to a crash mat.

Onlookers sprinted to his side to check Jonathan was still breathing and the show went to a break.

‘So Jonathan failed to get out of the handcuffs in the 30 seconds provided,’ the presenter told the camera. ‘He is alive and he’s being checked over now.’

At the time, Channel 4 insisted that ‘at no point was Jonathan’s life in danger.

‘I was told it was dangerous and stupid and it turns out that the advice was right,’ the stuntman said afterwards.

The 13th series of Britain’s Got Talent came to an end last night with Colin Thackery being crowned the winner.

The singer won the nation’s hearts with his rendition of Love Changes Everything and raked in an impressive 25.3 per cent of the public vote.

Meanwhile, Jonathan landed eighth place and raked 4.4 per cent of the final votes.

Britain’s Got Talent is expected to return to ITV next year.

MORE: Colin Thackery storms Britain’s Got Talent final as voting percentages revealed

MORE: When does Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions start and who is in it with Susan Boyle?

It looks like there’s already an islander proving popular on day dot.

Love Island series five kicks off tonight, and surfer girl Lucie Donlan is a fast and firm favourite with the male islanders.

Both Joe Garratt and Anton Danyluk make a play for the 21-year-old after they all couple up in their first pairings.

Joe decides to bond with Lucie over her love of surfing, saying: ‘I want to go get Lucie for a private chat but I don’t want to be the guy to go over and be over the top with it.’

Lucie asks him if he’s ever tried surfing, to which the 22-year-old says: ‘I have never. I feel like I need to be taught.’

There’s a bit of a mix-up as Lucie thinks he said ‘tall’ instead of ‘taught’ – ah, islander bants.

However, the misunderstanding seems to get Joe in there, as Lucie says she’d be happy to teach him, before inviting him to Cornwall.

Anton is also keen to have a chat with Lucie, and is a bit more forward.

Sitting by the fire pit, the 24-year-old says: ‘My initial attraction was towards you. million percent. I wanted to see if you’re attracted to me.’

Lucie replies: ‘Yeah definitely. You walked in and we were all like ‘Oh my God, look at him’ You’re very good looking.’

While Lucie thinks Anton is pretty fit, Joe is closer to her type on paper, with the Newquay native telling Caroline Flack: ‘Blonde! Longish hair… just hair, a lot of hair. Like me, he’s got to match me. Two lions together really.’

Tonight will see Lucie, Yewande Biala, Amy Hart, Anna Vakili and Amber Gill all choose the boy they want to couple up with – before two late arrivals in the form of Curtis Pritchard and Tommy Fury shake things up.

Love Island is on at 9pm on ITV2.

MORE: Britain’s Got Talent’s Jonathan Goodwin almost died when live hanging stunt went wrong

MORE: Colin Thackery storms Britain’s Got Talent final as voting percentages revealed

Love Island 2019 is set to get underway on Monday night as a fresh bunch of hopefuls enter that infamous villa in the hope of finding romance.

The show is now in its fifth season, and it’s proven very lucrative for some of its former stars, who’ve gone on to pretty successful post-Love Island careers.

A select number have found themselves a lot richer as a result of being on the show – but which of them is the wealthiest and how did they make their money?

Here’s how it shapes up.

Alex and Olivia Bowen – £4.4m

Alex and Olivia – who met on the show and have since married – are by far the wealthiest Love Island alumni.

As well as their careers as social media influences, Olivia has modelled and also launched her own clothing range – while they’ve worked together on their own fashion label Exempt Society.

The pair have also earned a tidy sum from sponsored social media posts, personal appearances and TV presenting jobs, as well as appearances in other reality shows including TLC’s Say Yes To The Dress.

Dani Dyer – £1.7m

Last year’s winner Dani Dyer is also thought to have done pretty well financially, having become the face of Mark Hill hair products – reportedly for a six-figure sum – as well as working on her own fashion range with brand In The Style.

That’s before you count the release of her autobiography, her appearance in West End show Nativity: The Musical alongside dad Danny Dyer and those social media posts – which allegedly can earn her up to £15,000 a pop.

Amber Davies – £1.6m

Amber Davies was crowned series winner alongside Kem Cetinay in 2017 – and has been a regular face on TV since then, as well as earning a decent sum from the ever-popular Instagram posts.

Currently she’s starring in West End musical 9 To 5 – based on the 1980 movie starring Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda – alongside Louise Redknapp and Brian Conley, and also has deals with lingerie brand Boux Avenue and fashion label Motel Rocks.

Kem Cetinay – £1.5m

Kem – who won the 2017 series alongside Amber Davies – has been a pretty regular fixture on TV since then, with stints on the likes of Good Morning Britain and This Morning – and that’s before you count his stint on Dancing on Ice 2018.

He returned to the ITV show in 2019 as the backstage presenter – and away from all the telly does well for himself with those ever-popular Instagram posts, as well as deals with the likes of Sainsbury’s and BoohooMAN, and let’s not forget his friendship with fellow Love Islander Chris Hughes, with whom he’s appeared in ITV2 spin-offs You vs Chris & Kem and Straight Outta Love Island.

And speaking of which…

Chris Hughes – £1.4m

Chris Hughes finished third in 2017 and went on to star in another show featuring his Love Island partner Olivia Attwood, Chris & Olivia: Crackin’ On (although this sadly featured the couple’s split).

The 26-year-old has also done well out of personal appearances and TV, including presenting horse-racing coverage on ITV.

Kady McDermott – £1.3m

Kady, who coupled up with Scott Thomas in the 2016 series, earned a pretty penny from personal appearances with him, appearing nightly at clubs and charing up to £10K a time.

She’s currently appearing in Towie, as well as launching her own make-up range By Kady.

Gabby Allen – £1.3m

Gabby Allen – who coupled up with Marcel Somerville during her time on the show – has racked up the earnings from a clothing line with Quiz as well as launching her own fitness app, Shape Up With Gabby Allen – which topped the app store charts.

She’s not been a stranger to the small screen either, having appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018, finishing sixth.

Olivia Attwood – £1.2m

Olivia, another member of the cast of 2017, has made money from personal appearances as well as social media influencing – which reportedly can earn her up to £2K a post.

Her TV appearances, meanwhile, have included the ITV2 series Crackin’ On alongside Chris Hughes, as well as E4’s Celebs Go Dating, which reportedly netted her £200,000 – and she’s stayed in the public eye with a column for showbiz magazine New!

Megan Barton Hanson – £1.1m

Megan Barton Hanson didn’t win the series when she went in as a late arrival in 2018 – but she’s done well for herself, thanks largely to a deal with fashion label Pretty Little Thing.

She’s also reportedly set to release a fitness DVD aimed at helping women embrace and enhance their curves.

Jack Fincham – £1m

Jack Fincham, who won the 2018 series along with Dani Dyer (whom he was coupled up with for the entire time), is said to have pocketed a cool sum of money since then.

He’s made his cash from personal and TV appearances – showing up with Dani prior to their split – and he’s set to boost his profile further with an appearance on the next series of Celebs Go Dating.

Love Island kicks off on ITV2 on Monday night at 9pm.

MORE: Caroline Flack hopes Love Island will see its first threesome thanks to The Hideaway hot tub

MORE: Love Island will pay tribute to Mike Thalassitis following outrage from fans

MORE: What time does Love Island 2019 start tonight as twelve new hopefuls enter villa?

Love Island isn’t Love Island without at least one of the islanders knowing each other, right?

Last year’s contestant Ellie Jones was revealed to be Jack Fincham‘s ex-girlfriend and this time around newcomer Sherif Lanre has ties to Anna Vakili.

Sherif makes the confession in tonight’s episode as the 2019 intake get to know each other, explaining that he follows the pharmacist on Instagram.

A shocked Anna replies: ‘Do you?’

‘Genuinely. I wasn’t going to say out there!’ Sherif admits, referring to the first coupling up session that took place just moments before.

Anna later discusses her fellow islander’s bombshell in the Beach Hut, telling the cameras: ‘He just brought it out so casually. Like, “Yeah, I follow you on Instagram.”

‘I was flattered but I didn’t expect it coming in here, that someone would follow me on Instagram. When I do go out, I tend to get that a lot.’

Elsewhere in the episode, islander Lucie Dolan is proving to be popular with both Joe Garratt and Anton Danyluk making a play for the 21-year-old.

In an attempt to win her over, smooth talker Joe decides to bond with her over surfing, explaining his mission: ‘I want to go get Lucie for a private chat but I don’t want to be the guy to go over and be over the top with it.’

Lucie then asks him if he’s ever tried surfing, to which the 22-year-old says: ‘I have never. I feel like I need to be taught.’

Tonight’s upcoming episode is set to pay tribute to the late islander Mike Thalassitis who appeared in the fourth series of Love Island.

A source close to the show told The Mirror: ‘Producers wanted to pay their respects to Mike and show his friends, family and fans that he was a part of the Love Island family and is missed deeply by everyone.

‘It is a really difficult subject but they wanted to address it rather than sweep it under the carpet or pretend it hasn’t happened.’

Love Island airs weekdays at 9pm on ITV.

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Love Island is knocking out the twists from day dot, and we are living for it.

Series five of the ridiculously addictive reality show begins on ITV2 tonight, and will see Yewande Biala, Anna Vakili, Amy Hart, Lucie Donlan and Amber Gill choose their first partner from Joe Garratt, Anton Danyluk, Sherif Lanre, Callum Macleod and Michael Griffiths.

However, Caroline Flack warns them after the coupling: ‘Don’t forget, this is Love Island and the path to true love is never that simple.

There may be a few surprises around the corner and the first surprise may be sooner than you think.’

And by the end of the episode, two more islanders land in the villa to ruffle some feathers.

Curtis Pritchard and Tommy Fury swagger their way into the villa after the first coupling, and this could mean drama for the pairs already coupled up.

Amber is sent a text reading: ‘Islanders, it’s time for the real games to begin. Please welcome your new arrivals. #DoubleTrouble #BoxFresh #HotToFoxtrot’, with boxer and brother of Tyson Fury Tommy and professional dancer and brother of AJ Pritchard Curtis strutting in.

And the islanders were knocked for six, with Lucie Donlan saying: ‘It’s been such a full-on day. There have been bevs coming in everywhere and then two guys come in… who are also bevs.’

(Alert – first Love Island-ism of the year, bevs means attractive.)

It could be that Curtis and Tommy join Joe and Anton in battling for Lucie’s attentions, after both lads make their move on the surfer girl in the premiere.

Meanwhile, Sherif admits he already follows Anna on Instagram – has he slid into the DMs? – while brainboxes Yewande and Michael bond after Scouse firefighter Michael reveals to the Dublin-born scientist that he has a degree in bio-medical science.

Love Island begins at 9pm on ITV2.

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Love Island 2019 contestant Michael Griffiths has revealed that he’s got a degree in bio-medical science.

The 27-year-old firefighter from Liverpool, who joins the likes of Amber Gill and Tommy Fury as the cast on this year’s show, explained to singleton Yewande Biala that he studied at university before deciding to save lives as part of the emergency services.

As the two islanders got to know each other by the pool, Yewande talked education, telling the potential suitor: ‘I’m a scientist. A biologist. I studied a bio-technology degree.’

Michael replied: ‘That’s quite interesting because I did bio medical science at uni.’

Shocked at the revelation, Yewande gasped: ‘Did you? That’s class!’

Love Island is set to kick off in just a matter of hours, with original girls Amy Hart, Amber Gill, Anna Vakili, Lucie Dolan and Yewande getting to choose themselves a partner in the first coupling up of the series.

Spoiler photos showed the five ladies enter the infamous Majorcan villa last night alongside presenter Caroline Flack joining them for a pre-show chat around the fire pit.

It looks like we’re going to be in for a treat tonight too, with Sherif Lanre admitting that he knows fellow islander Anna.

Meanwhile, Lucie proves to be an instant hit with the lads, with both Joe Garratt and Anton Danyluk turning their heads.

Love Island airs weekdays at 9pm on ITV2.

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The professional dancers of Strictly Come Dancing said a final farewell to Pasha Kovalev as their tour came to an end.

Wrapping up the pro tour around the UK this weekend, they gave Pasha a special send off which included an impressive Strictly-themed cake.

Dancer Gorka Marquez shared a picture on social media of the impressive cake creation, which had two tiers topped off with an edible Strictly glitterball trophy.

A message written around the base of the cake read: ‘Congratulations on an amazing tour. Pasha you will be missed on Strictly.’

Dancer Dianne Buswell, who has been Pasha’s partner on the tour, shared a tribute of her own on Instagram.

She said: ‘We did it! What a team the cast and crew have all been so incredible thanks to everybody who came to watch and supported us.

‘Pasha it was a pleasure working with you ! Not only did I have the pleasure to dance the last show with you but pasha was in the cast of my very first burn the floor tour 9 years ago such a gentleman and he will be missed we love ya Pasha.’

The tour marked Pasha’s final outing as a Strictly pro having quit the show earlier this year after an eight year run.

He told fans in a statement: ‘After scoring 93 perfect tens, reaching 4 finals and lifting 1 glitter ball, it’s time for me to find a new challenge and so I’ve decided to make last year – my final season on Strictly.

‘I’ve had 8 fantastic years, full of wonderful memories, thanks to the incredible partners, professionals and myriad of behind the scenes teams who all work to make Strictly the amazing production that it is.’

While he may not be on our screens for a little while, he will have plenty to keep him busy at home as he is expecting his first child with girlfriend Rachel Riley, who he started dating in 2014 after they were paired together on Strictly.

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Stranger Things has finally delved into Chief Jim Hopper’s backstory ahead of the hotly-anticipated third season and we are eternally thankful.

The much adored character, played by David Harbour in the Netflix phenomenon, has a haunted and troubled past that had never fully been explained other than tiny tidbits of information interspersed across 17 episodes – until now that is.

Prequel book Stranger Things: Darkness At The Edge Of Town by Adam Christopher explores the former homicide detective’s life like we’ve never seen before, including his sweet family set up with ex-wife Diane and his young daughter Sara.

Metro.co.uk caught up with Adam to discuss the second official novel and to find out just why Hopper never talked about his experiences in New York City.

‘This is a part of Hopper’s life that we’ve never seen before,’ Adam began. ‘We get glimpses of his past in the TV show, because obviously he’s a Vietnam veteran.

‘We know from the TV show that he was in New York because Eleven finds a box underneath the floor in season two. This is the first chance we’ve really had to look at his family life before everything changed.

‘Hopper’s life is pretty much in two halves, before Vietnam and after Vietnam, which was a huge part of his life. When Sarah died, that became ancient history. It became something lost in time. This is the first time we’ve seen before Sara’s death.’

Not only do readers get the chance to discover what life was like for Hopper before he moved to Hawkins, but they also get to see his relationship with adopted daughter Eleven before she reaches her teenage years.

‘This was the first time that I really had a chance to look at Hopper and Eleven’s relationship because before season two they become legally family and then in season three, their relationship is already going to be established because it’s a little bit further down the road,’ Adam explained.

‘So this is the first time you get to see the new dynamic.’

He added: ‘Hopper is very aware, in the book, that it’s a new situation for him because his own daughter sadly died when she was young and there’s been this big void in his life. And now he’s got this daughter who’s approaching teenage years, but can kind of do things with her mind.’

Stanger Things: Darkness on the Edge of Town by Adam Christopher is published by Century, Penguin Random House, hardback, £20 and is out now. Stranger Things returns to Netflix on Thursday 4 July.

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Britain’s Got Talent 2019 winner Colin Thackery has found some good uses for his prize money.

Triumphing in the live final on Sunday night, the 89-year-old won a spot at the Royal Variety Performance this year and a cool £250,000.

Colin is going to do some good with his winnings and well as help out future generations.

When asked on Monday’s This Morning where the money would be going, he explained: ‘Well first of all the hospital, because we are a charity and we are always collecting for something. We’ve got a new centre that we’ve been wanting to build, a visitors centre, activity centre.

‘I’d love to think that I set the whole thing off.

‘And of course I’ve got family. I’ve got grandchildren wanting to get on the property ladder and all that sort of thing and of course A-Levels and all that.’

The singing Chelsea pensioner saw off stiff competition over the weekend, with illusionist X – who turned out to be 2018 golden buzzer act Marc Spelmann – coming second and magician Ben Hart finishing third.

He told hosts Ant and Dec just after his win: ‘Absolutely astonished. It’s incredible, I don’t know what to say. I’m stuck for words for a change.

‘Thank you very much, all of you, all the backing I’ve had. It’s been wonderful.’

Colin previously revealed that he could ‘die happy’ if he got to meet the Queen.

Colin’s moving performance of Love Changes Everything saw him crowned this year’s winner.

Despite being the last act to take the stage, judge David Walliams praised him for creating a ‘magical moment’ for the audience, calling him ‘unbeatable’.

The pensioner originally won his place in the live shows after delivering his rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings at his first audition, a song he dedicated to his late wife.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10.30am on ITV.

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Despite barely getting any asleep after becoming parents, Gregg Wallace and his wife Anna looked fresh faced for an appearance on This Morning together.

The couple talked about Italian food and whipped up a delicious recipe in the kitchen.

Anna, who had only given birth six weeks ago, looked relaxed as she displayed her culinary skills alongside her MasterChef star husband.

But even though they looked chilled out, Gregg admitted that they are having to get used to the sleep deprivation that comes from having a newborn.

Anna told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that her Italian family always made a point of eating together, prompting Gregg to add: ‘We can’t get the baby at the table yet. We can get the two dogs but we can’t get the baby.’

When Holly asked how the little one was doing, Anna said: ‘Really good yeah, Mum’s at home looking after him because Mum lives with us.

‘He’s six weeks. It’s gone really quickly.’

Adding that he is a ‘very’ hands-on dad, Gregg said: ‘I’m good. I like changing nappies. I’ve been weed on three times. I like feeding. I like winding him.

‘I find the sleepless nights difficult. If you’ve got to get up in front of a cmera the next day it’s not easy. But you don’t just marry an Italian you marry the whole family.’

Introducing baby Sid to the world in a photoshoot with OK!, the Eat Well For Less host was emotional recalling Sid’s birth, saying it was scarier than when he had his children Tom and Libby from his second marriage.

The 54-year-old said: ‘I don’t know if it’s because it took us so long to conceive or perhaps it’s because I’m older, but I was scared for their health. I could have hugged the doctors.’

Gregg was ‘down the business end’ as his 33-year-old wife gave birth, and said: ‘I saw him take his first breath, it was just beautiful. I looked at him and thought he was perfect.’

This Morning airs weekdays from 10.30am on ITV.

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