There’s a Scouser in Love Island – meet Tanya from Liverpool

Love Island will see presenter Maya Jama hosting for the first time as a rugby player, a farmer and a make-up artist to the stars join series nine.

Love Island is back for its winter editing from South Africa with Maya Jama at the helm for the first time. And you’ll be glad to know Liverpool is represented in the show as it has been announced that Tanya Manhenga, a student and influencer from the city is one of the contestants.

Tanya is a 22-year-old, student of biomedical science and an influencer, is looking to find a boyfriend but not one that does not wear socks in the house or has big feet because that gives her “the ick”.

Tanya has vitiligo, added that her skin pigmentation is on her lip and there is a stripe in her hair.

She said: “Not many people know that but I think it’s quite cute. I don’t care about covering it up all the time, I think it’s a vibe.”

Broadcaster Maya Jama said she immediately accepted the offer to host hit ITV2 dating show Love Island after getting the call while on holiday in America.

Talking about her preparations for the show, she said: “I am shy about that walk. It’s big, isn’t it, the slow-motion walk? Me and my girlfriends, we were drunk, doing the walk, up and down the hall. Tried the sexy version. Tried the smiley version. Smiley version won.”

New additions to this series include Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson and Indiyah Polack, who was a finalist on the show last year, joining as regular panellists on Love Island’s Aftersun programme.

For the first time, contestants will this series have to disable their social media accounts during their time on the show in a bid to protect both themselves and their families from online abuse.

Contestants will also receive “guidance and training” around “mutually respectful behaviour in relationships” after the last series prompted thousands of complaints to broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.

These are in addition to other duty-of-care measures introduced for previous series.

Love Island returns on Monday January 16 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.