“Brace for chaos”: insiders say Love Island All Stars reveals shock line-up incl. Boyzone star’s son

Published on January 5, 2026 by Charlotte in

Illustration of Maya Jama back to host Love Island: All Stars

Love Island: All Stars is charging back for its third series, and the first wave of Islanders has been confirmed. It’s a heady blend of champions, chaos-causers, and fan favourites ready for a second shot at coupling up under the Cape Town sun. Maya Jama returns to host as ITV promises a longer, punchier run across six weeks. Expect sparks. Expect history to repeat and then explode. And yes, the cast includes a familiar surname: series eight’s Jack Keating, the son of a Boyzone star, is heading into the villa. With filming kicking off in South Africa and a start date set, winter just got a lot hotter.

The 2026 Line-Up: Names, Ages, and Series

ITV has unveiled a roster spanning series 4 to 12, mixing winners, nearly-theres and headline-makers. From series 10 winner Jess Harding and Whitney Adebayo to Millie Court, Belle Hassan, and Leanne Amaning, the women bring clout, storylines and swagger. The men are just as stacked, with Ciaran Davies, Sean Stone, Tommy Bradley, and Charlie Frederick in the frame. And yes, Jack Keating returns — the Islander who drew attention beyond the villa for his famous family ties. It’s a cast designed for sparks: experienced, outspoken, and with unfinished business.

Islander Age Original Series
Whitney Adebayo 28 Series 10
Millie Court 29 Series 7
Belle Hassan 27 Series 5
Helena Ford 29 Series 12
Jess Harding 25 Series 10 (Winner)
Leanne Amaning 28 Series 6
Ciaran Davies 23 Series 11
Jack Keating 26 Series 8
Sean Stone 26 Series 11
Tommy Bradley 22 Series 12
Charlie Frederick 31 Series 4
Shaq Muhammad 27 Series 9

It’s a carefully calibrated mix: established personalities with loyal fan bases alongside fresher faces from the most recent runs. Expect sharp one-liners from Whitney, a champion’s calm from Jess, and firecracker energy from Belle. The headline, though, is the breadth — a true “All Stars” spread that reaches across eight past series. No passengers here. Just Islanders with points to prove and reputations to protect.

Storylines to Watch: Unfinished Business and Fresh Fire

ITV teased contestants with “unfinished business”, and the confirmed names deliver exactly that. Millie Court returns older, wiser, and ready to reset her narrative. Leanne Amaning and Belle Hassan bring sharp instincts and sharper boundaries; if someone oversteps, we’ll hear about it. Whitney Adebayo doesn’t scare easily, and pairing her wit with a six-week marathon spells fireworks. Then there’s Jack Keating, whose last stint was short but memorable; as the son of a Boyzone star, he arrives with instant name recognition and a target on his back.

On the lads’ side, quietly confident Shaq Muhammad could anchor early couples, while Ciaran Davies and Sean Stone bring competitive edges from series 11. Newer faces like Tommy Bradley and Helena Ford from series 12 ensure the dynamics aren’t just a nostalgia tour. “Second chance” seasons expose patterns — who’s grown, who hasn’t, and who’s only here for headlines. With six weeks to graft, recouple, and backtrack, expect long-game strategies, explosive movie nights, and those immortal Sunday night debriefs that set social media on fire.

Host, Schedule, and Behind-the-Scenes Buzz

Maya Jama is back at the helm — a signature of the modern era — though she reportedly missed the London press event due to illness. She’s due to jet to South Africa as filming begins this week. The press launch brought together Iain Stirling, 2024 champions Molly Smith and Tom Clare, ITV commissioning editor Amanda Stavri, and creative director Mike Spencer-Hayter, who unveiled key tweaks: All Stars will run for six weeks, not five. That extra stretch matters. It lets arcs breathe. It exposes cracks. It rewards patience.

There’s continuity, too. 2025’s winners Casey O’Gorman and Gabby Allen split the £50,000 prize — and split soon after — while Molly and Tom, the inaugural 2024 All Stars winners, are still going strong, with Tom proposing late last year. Expect wry nods from Iain Stirling, and the usual dose of drama in Cape Town’s golden-hour glow. And the big date? Love Island: All Stars begins on Monday 12 January at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. Set reminders. The villa doors are swinging open.

With the cast locked and the schedule set, All Stars 2026 looks purpose-built for chaos and charm in equal measure. A former winner, fiery fan favourites, and a headline-grabbing returnee connected to a Boyzone icon — it’s primed for peak-season viewing. The extra week should supercharge slow-burn romances and expose fair-weather flings, all under Maya Jama’s watchful eye. As South Africa beckons and the group texts start humming, one question remains: which Islander will seize their second chance and who will end up a cautionary tale — and where does your heart place its bet?

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