Love Island fans heaped praise onto host Maya Jama after she ‘called out’ Helena Ford, Harry Cooksley and Ben Holbrough during a dramatic recoupling.
The ITV2 reality show got off to an explosive start on Thursday as Emily Moran and Giorgio Russo were dumped from the villa after being left single during Casa Amor.
It came after viewers saw an argument unfold around the firepit, with the host blasting Harry and Helena for laughing about his behaviour during their time together.
Harry and Helena were reunited during Wednesday’s episode when he surprisingly returned from Casa single, despite exploring a connection with bombshell Rheo Parnell.
Rheo spilled the tea during the recoupling, letting the islanders know there were ‘kisses in bed, cuddles and all sorts’ between her and Harry.
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Love Island fans heaped praise onto host Maya Jama (pictured) after she ‘called out’ Helena Ford, Harry Crossley and Holbrough during a dramatic recoupling
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Harry (right) and Helena (left) were reunited during Wednesday’s episode when he surprisingly returned from Casa single, despite exploring a connection with bombshell Rheo Parnell
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Rheo (left) spilled the tea during the recoupling, letting the islanders know that there were ‘kisses in bed, cuddles and all sorts’ between her and Harry
Andrada Pop then pointed out that Harry admitted he ‘didn’t miss’ his couple during Casa, which prompted a rather unbothered response from the semi-professional footballer and Helena, who burst into laughter.
Maya then hit-back at their reaction, saying: ‘I don’t know, I probably wouldn’t find it that funny if I was in a couple with someone like that.’
Moments later the focus shifted to American Toni Laites and Harrison Solomon, who chose to go their separate ways during the recoupling.
After being asked her thoughts on the situation, Toni admitted that she wasn’t surprised that Harrison – who has form of doing similar in the villa – returned with a new girl.
It prompted a strange reaction from Ben, who quipped: ‘I’ve just got to give it Harrison, man. What Lauren’s been able to give him in three days, you (Toni) haven’t been able to in two, three weeks.’
The presenter once again hit-back, telling Ben his comment was ‘unnecessary’.
And Maya’s no-nonsense responses to the islanders went down a hit with viewers, who branded her the ‘best’ host for the show.
They took to X to express their opinions, writing: ‘Maya is actually the best host. She’s called out both Harry AND Ben during this recoupling. We have to stan’,
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Maya told Harry Helena: ‘I don’t know, I probably wouldn’t find it that funny if I was in a couple with someone like that’
Maya’s no-nonsense responses to the islanders went down a hit with viewers, who branded her the ‘best’ host for the show on X
‘Imagine THE Maya Jama telling you you shouldn’t find it funny… Helena has to be the most embarrassing love island contestant of all time’,
‘Helena should be embarrassed. Even Maya Jama can’t hide her disdain for how Harry is behaving at his big age’,
‘Maya Jama WINNER of love island uk congratulations congratulations’,
‘Sorry how has the recoupling turned into an invervention for Helena… to the point where MAYA JAMA is telling you deserve better. You actually cannot write this’.
Elsewhere in the show, there was further drama between Dejon Noel-Williams and Megan Moore after he returned from Casa.
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Elsewhere in the show, there was further drama between Dejon Noel-Williams (left) and Megan Moore (right) after he returned from Casa
The hunk had enjoyed chats with bombshell Andrada during his time away but decided to stick with Meg during the recoupling.
But she issued him an ultimatum after rumours of his flirting were aired around the firepit.
Dejon later told Andrada his full focus remains on his couple, but during an awkward chat with Meg as the show came to a close, they couldn’t settle their differences.
Friday’s episode is sure to be jampacked full of drama as the islanders settle down for movie night.
LOVE ISLAND 2025: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Dejon Noel Williams
NAME: Dejon Noel Williams
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy
CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I’ve met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we’d go to a game and fans were asking for photos. I’ve met David Beckham, he was really nice.
Megan Moore
NAME: Megan Moore
AGE: 25
FROM: Southampton
OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I’d like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we’re going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits!
Tommy Bradley
NAME: Tommy Bradley
AGE: 22
FROM: Hertfordshire
OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn’t take themselves too seriously. I don’t know if that’s asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven’t got a specific type in terms of looks, though.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair
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Ben Holbrough
NAME: Ben Holbrough
AGE: 23
FROM: Gloucester
OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone sexy, good looking, good chat, good vibes, nice teeth and good eye contact – they’re all the traits I look for. Oh, and also a cute smile, I just look at you and know I can be around you all day, every day.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I’d have been out of business a long time ago. That’s exactly why I’m here.
Helena Ford
NAME: Helena Ford
AGE: 29
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you’ll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract.
Shakira Khan
NAME: Shakira Khan
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming, but they’re all frogs. It’s a busy love life but I’ve not found ‘the husband’, I’m looking for ‘the one’. I’m looking for the ring.
Harry Cooksley
NAME: Harry Cooksley
AGE: 30
FROM: Guildford
OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don’t think I’d go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl.
CLAIM TO FAME? I’m the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You’ll never see my face, but you’ll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing.
Conor Phillips
NAME: Conor Phillips
AGE: 23
FROM: Limerick
OCCUPATION: Professional rugby player
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?Someone who is really sure of themselves, ambitious, a bit of a go-getter and good craic. I like dark eyes and I don’t mind a dominant woman.
WOULD MAYA HIRE YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? Definitely hire. I ask girls if they want to go halves on a baby. It doesn’t work, but it gets them laughing. It’s an ice-breaker, not a serious question of course!
Toni Laites
NAME: Toni Laites
AGE: 24
FROM: Connecticut
OCCUPATION: Las Vegas Pool Cabana Server
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I’m looking for darker hair, definitely muscular but not too muscular. Super fit. Clean hair cut. Someone that can make me laugh – I’m super outgoing. And someone that’s quite active. Maybe one day we could start our own family together.
I WANT TO DATE A BRITISH GUY BECAUSE… I’ve lived in three different states and I’m still single. It’s time to try something new! I have some British friends and they’re pretty charming. I think all Americans love a good accent. British men are just more polite, with better manners.
Yasmin
NAME: Yasmin Pettet
AGE: 24
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Commercial Banking Executive
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I’m looking for a guy who is fit, has a nice body and who is funny with a bit of banter.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? A guy that’s stingy.
Harrison
NAME: Harrison
AGE: 22
OCCUPATION: US college soccer player and student
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Personality is a big thing, so it depends who I vibe with in there.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? I don’t like it when girls have celebrity crushes. If I’m with a girl I want them to have eyes for me, not talking about another guy when we’re watching a film, ha!
Billykiss
NAME: Bilikis Azeez aka Billykiss
AGE: 28
OCCUPATION: Content Creator
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone tall who’s good looking, but not too good looking, and that’s confident, assertive, knows what they want and is serious about me
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ICK? Someone who’s childish
Jamie
NAME: Jamie Rhodes
AGE: 26
OCCUPATION: Electric Engineer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Bubbly, cheeky, outgoing, good face card and a nice bum.
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU’LL BE? I’ll be in amongst the drama! It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, I’m gonna take it by the horns and go for it.
Ty
NAME: Ty Isherwood
AGE: 23
OCCUPATION: Site Engineer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I go off energy, if we vibe. I’ve typically dated brunettes, tanned, nice teeth with a nice smile.
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU’LL BE? A head turner! I get along with lads easily and like to make people laugh.
Cach
NAME: Cacherel ‘Cach’ Mercer
AGE: 24
OCCUPATION: Professional Dancer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who’s emotionally intelligent, beautiful, charismatic, caring, affectionate, and I’d say an intro extrovert.
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU’LL BE? I think I’m gonna get into trouble, I feel like I’ll be the joker of the group! I’ll also be the person people come to for advice… and a bit of eye candy at the same time.
Lucy
NAME: Lucy Quinn
AGE: 21
OCCUPATION: Makeup Artist
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I love a pretty boy. Someone who looks after themselves more than me; with a sharp hairline, and Turkey teeth. I like someone who is tall, tanned, and has dark hair….. not too much to ask! Also if I had to be picky, I like light eyes.
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU’LL BE? Loud! I just love to chat.
Lauren
NAME: Lauren Wood
AGE: 26
OCCUPATION: Dog Walker
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? It’s cliche but tall, dark and handsome. I know every girl says that but I like dark features; brown hair, brown eyes, nice and bronzed.
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU’LL BE? I will bring a lot of energy to Casa Amor. I’m just a bubbly person. I’m fun to be around and don’t take myself too seriously. Every boy I’ve ever met has said ‘you’re not what I thought’ in a good way. I’ve been told I’ve got good energy.
Emma
NAME: Emma Munro
AGE: 30
OCCUPATION: Hydrogeologist
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I don’t actually have a type. I would say athletic always, I like a man who’s in shape, big muscles, six pack, I’m not fussy.
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU’LL BE? Honest, straight talking, and direct.
Boris
NAME: Boris Vidović
AGE: 28
OCCUPATION: Model
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I don’t have an exact type, if her energy matches my energy, that’s what I like. Besides that; a beautiful smile, a nice figure, and a great personality. I want someone around me that I can laugh with 24/7. If she can roast me, I love her already!
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU’LL BE? I’m going to be the chilled guy, who likes to have a laugh, I’m a joker. I’m originally from Ljubljana and have lived in Dubai for a while, so I’ll bring the international flavour. I give good positive vibes and good energy.
Andrada
NAME: Andrada Pop
AGE: 27
OCCUPATION: Personal Trainer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I like someone who is tall with a nice build and I do like light eyes at the moment. Someone who has a masculine aura and someone that walks in the room and you’re drawn to their energy.
WHAT KIND OF ISLANDER DO YOU THINK YOU’LL BE? If you cross me, I can’t shut my mouth, I will literally tell you how it is. However, I’m a giver; I’m very honest, understanding, and soft. I’m just overall happy. There’s never a dull moment around me. If I hear something I don’t like, I will be the first to go across the Villa and say something. You will hear my voice.
