What happened on Love Island 2023 last night? Episode recap as Haris faces dumping and Will makes a move

Three boys and three girls face getting dumped from the villa following a public vote
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Love Island fans rejoice - the drama-filled villa is back to brighten your winter with some South African sun. The first episode of the newest series has aired on ITV, with fans welcoming the return of the show.

Things are a little different this time around though. Following the exit of host Laura Whitmore, it was the job of new presenter Maya Jama to welcome islanders and viewers to Love Island series nine.

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A change is host is not the only change to the new series. While the episodes air over the next two months, the contestants’ social media platforms will stay quiet amid attempts by ITV to curb online hate.

But what happened during Tuesday’s episode? Here’s everything you need to know to keep you up-to-date.

Kai and Anna May call it quits

Kai and Anna seemed to have the hots for each other ahead of the last recoupling. Anna May had cooled things off with Haris, and Kai had told some of the boys that his previous coupling with Tanyel had started to feel “forced”, despite Tanyel still being keen to get to know him.

Anna May chose to couple up with Kai, and it looked to be all going swimmingly. Except now, it seems like the pair have no chemistry whatsoever beyond their true crime podcast chats.

Anna May and Kai called it quits. (Credit: ITV)Anna May and Kai called it quits. (Credit: ITV)
Anna May and Kai called it quits. (Credit: ITV)
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Kai pulled Anna May for a chat to see where her head was at, with the 24-year-old teacher looking to end things with Anna May. Luckily for him, the feeling was mutual - earlier in the week Anna May had told Tanya that she was getting the dreaded ‘ick’ from Kai.

The pair decided that they were better off as friends. However, Kai has made the head-scratching decision to pursue Tanyel again… only days after he said she wasn’t doing it for him. Will she be willing to give him another chance?

Zara makes a play for Shaq

Shaq and his partner Tanya have been one of the closest in terms of romance so far in the villa. The pair shared a sweet will-they-won’t-they kiss only days into being coupled up, and the threat of the now-dumped bombshell David wasn’t enough to tear them apart.

However, Zara may have thrown a new spanner in the works, as she voiced to Shaq that she would like to get to know him more. She told the 24-year-old airport security officer: “I’ll be real with you, Tom is obviously ticking pretty much every box for me but it’s early still, I haven’t even spoken to you properly, it would be nice to explore.”

Zara made a move for Shaq. (Credit: ITV)Zara made a move for Shaq. (Credit: ITV)
Zara made a move for Shaq. (Credit: ITV)
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Zara and Shaq seemed to be getting on well before Tanya awkwardly interrupted to hand her partner a cup of tea. After the conversation, Shaq opened up to Tanya honestly about what he and Zara had spoken about.

Shaq told Tanya that he is open to get to know Zara. Tanya looked less than happy, but what could this mean for the couple going forward?

Will makes a move on Jessie

Could farmer Will have finally found love in the villa? It seems it might be so after making a connection with Australian bombshell Jessie. After a successful date the other day, Jessie chose Will in the Space Raunch challenge to have a kiss.

Later in the evening whilst having a chat at the firepit, Will and Jessie enjoyed a non-challenge based kiss - much to the julibation of the rest of the islanders, who cheered the couple on.

Surprise eviction rocks the villa

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At the end of the previous episode, viewers were told to vote for their favourite boy and favourite girl inside the villa. And fans know that means only one thing in Love Island… a dumping is imminent.

Islanders were told to gather around the fire pit and learned that the public had been voting for their favourite girl and boy. Those with the lowest votes were at risk of leaving the villa immediately.

The three boys at risk were Kai, Tom and Haris. The three girls at risk were Anna May, Tanya and Tanyel.

However, another shocking twist was given to our islanders as bombshells Jessie and Aaron - both of whom were not included in the vote - have been given the power to choose one girl and one boy from those at risk to dump.

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In classic Love Island style, we were left on a cliffhanger and will find out their decision in the next episode. Reports that Haris has been removed from the villa during this vote will remain to be seen in Wednesday’s episode.

Who is coupled up?

As it currently stands, our couples in the villa are:

  • Anna-May and Kai
  • Zara and Tom
  • Olivia and Haris
  • Tanya and Shaq
  • Tanyel and Ron
  • Lana and Will

As Jessie and Aaron have just entered the villa, they are both currently single.

Where can I catch up with Love Island?

If our recap isn’t enough for you and you need to see the drama inside the villa then don’t worry. If you miss an episode, it will be put on ITVX - the new ITV streaming hub - after it has aired on ITV2.

Love Island airs on ITV at 9pm Sunday through Friday. For the best laughs and bloopers we don’t get to see throughout the week, Unseen Bits airs at 9pm on Saturdays on ITV2.

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