Winter Love Island 2023: what are the cast doing now?

The second winter edition gifted us with iconic islanders like Samie Elishi, Tom Clare and Tanya Manhenga

love island 2023

by Ben Pulsford |
Updated on

It's wild to think about how many different versions of Love Island have been chucked our way since the second winter Love Island debuted in January 2023. Maths is not our forte – not even Love Island maths – but we reckon with the civilian series, the various All Stars and and the one-off Love Island Games (although, should we even count that?), there's been five series since – and we're currently watching the sixth (Love Island 2025).

Sorry, that is wild.

The winter edition have since been phased out in place of the annual All Stars edition, but for reasons we can't quite articulate, we will always have a soft spot for winter Love island 2023 and its Islanders, despite it being an altogether 'meh' series nobody really asked for...

Maya Jama standing in front of the winter love island villa 2023
©(C) ITV Plc

That's harsh. To be fair, the series gifted us with iconic Islanders, wild moments and even longstanding couples – one of these couples is engaged, by the way.

Oh, and it was Maya's first series as host.

Here's what all those winter lovelies are up to in 2025.

Winter Love Island 2023 contestants now

Olivia Hawkins

Olivia Hawkins pink bikini
Olivia ©©ITV Plc

Olivia Hawkins entered the villa as a 27-year-old ring girl and actress. During her time in the villa she ended up being booted out alongside Maxwell.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 07: Olivia Hawkins attends the European Premiere of Paramount Pictures' "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" at Cineworld Cinemas on June 07, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)

What's Olivia doing now you ask? After breaking up with Maxwell, she's now become a full-time influencer and continues to work as an actors. Olivia's regularly on the red carpet, enjoys countless boujee holidays and has become besties with Love Island 2016 turned 2023 bombshell, Kady Mcdermott. In January 2025 she took part in All Stars and briefly dated Marcel Somerville, who she met on the show. She is currently filming the 2025 edition of Celebs Go Dating alongside Kerry Katona and CBB 2025's Donna Preston.

Tanya Manhenga

Tanya Manhenga entered the villa as a 22-year-old biomedical science student and influencer. Tanya fell in love with Shaq just weeks after entering the villa but during Casa Amor she recoupled with Martin. It was long before she managed to win Shaq back though.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Tanya Manhenga seen attending ITV Summer Party at The Mandrake Hotel on July 19, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil M / Justin E Palmer/GC Images)

After leaving the villa in fourth place alongside her boyfriend Shaq, the duo seemed to be going from strength to strength. Sadly, the couple officially called time on their love affair in the summer of 2024 and now, not only has Tanya soft-launched a new fancy man, but she has also aimed fire at her ex for being unfaithful. Career-wise, Tanya is living that sweet influencer life, as well as being an ambassador for FashionNova.com and being the founder of TaySlayWigs.

Tanyel Revan

Tanyel from Love Island wearing a green bikini and smiling
©ITV

Tanyel Revan was a hair stylist before going in the villa. She was dumped on day 24 after not finding a connection with anyone.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Tanyel Revan seen attending PrettyLittleThing Showroom Launch on April 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil M/Justin E Palmer/GC Images)

Tanyel failed to find love in the villa - despite all those Ron rumours - but has had better luck on the outside with her new fianceé. She's still a hair stylist and often posts ads and her fellas on Instagram. She also now hosts a podcast with her Love Island bestie, Ron, called I'm Right, He's Ron.

Lana Jenkins

Lana Jenkins clapping at the Love Island talent show
Lana Jenkins ©©ITV Plc

Lana Jenkins was a make-up artist before going on the reality show. Throughout her time in the villa she made it to the final alongside Ron Hall where they ended up coming in second place.

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 29: Lana Jenkins attends the Boohoo x Barbie Launch Party at The West Hollywood EDITION on June 29, 2023 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Boohoo)

After splitting from Ron, Lana is still a make-up artist, she's signed a partnership with Rimmel and spilled the tea on her job before the villa that she was banned from doing on the show. She also dabbles in the world of presenting and goes on a LOT of holidays.

Anna-May Robey

Anna-May Robey
©ITV

Anna-May Robey is another OG 2023 Islander. Before going into the villa she was a payroll administrator. She coupled up with Haris and Kai before getting dumped on day nine.

CHELMSFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 26: Anna-May Robey enjoys the SHEIN activation at Creamfields on May 26, 2023 in Chelmsford, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images for SHEIN)

After being one of the first Islanders dumped, Anna-May quickly sparked rumours with Love Island 2022's Jacques O'Neill. She's now BFFs with Love Island 2021 star Lucinda Strafford and she's a full-on influencer.

Kai Fagan

Kai on Love Island
Kai also managed to break the rules using his phone ©ITV Pictures

The first Love Island 2023 star announced was Kai Fagan. He was a science and PE teacher before his stint and he ended up winning the competition alongside Sanam.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Kai Fagan attends the Gala Screening for "Joy Ride" at the Vue Leicester Square on July 26, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage)

After winning Love Island with Sanam, Kai revealed that he didn't get a winner's goody bag, not only had he moved in with Sanam and has launched a YouTube channel with her but they recently got engaged. Kai and Sanam are considered one of Love Island's biggest success stories amongst fans.

Sanam Harrinanan

sanam
sanam ©itv

She was one of six bombshells to enter the main villa during series nine of Casa Amor week. After arriving in the villa as a Casa Amor babe, Sanam quickly hit it off with Kai and they stayed together during the infamous recoupling (even though Liv was fuming). The social worker (Sanam) and PE teacher (Kai) won over the nation and managed to make history - becoming the other Casa Amor couple to win the show.

Sanam
©(Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

After winning the show, Sanam returned to her job as a social worker and is now engaged to Kai. She also dabbled in skincare and make-up influencing.

Ron Hall

Love Island Ron Hall
©©ITV Plc

Another winter 2023 Islander is former financial advisor Ron Hall. His head wouldn't stop turning in the villa and he coupled up with Lana where they came in second place.

Ron and Luca
Ron and Luca ©(Photo by Ricky Vigil M / Justin E Palmer/GC Images)

Yes, that is a picture of Ron and Love Island 2022 star Luca Bish. Apparently the duo are friends. Other than that, Ron has split from Lana and revealed that he was friends with Chloe Burrows before going on Love Island.

He has since started working with several brands including Hey Dude and Pretty Little Thing and is still close pals with Tanyel, who he hosts a podcast with.

In January 2025 he entered the All Stars villa a bombshell, but left after a few days after failing to find a connection with any of the girls.

Shaq Muhammad

Shaq on Love Island
Shaq's finally revealed the meaning behind his HUGE back tattoo - and it's so sweet ©ITV Pictures

Shaq Muhammad was an airport security officer before making the final on Love Island. He was only coupled up with Tanya in the villa.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Shaq Muhammad and Tanya Manhenga seen attending the National Reality TV Awards at Porchester Hall on July 31, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil/GC Images)

Tanya and Shaq sadly split in 2024 after well over a year of dating. Shaq continues to work as a PT, but is very much living that fitness influencer life these days.

Will Young

Will Young smiling with shades on
Will Young stole the nation's hearts on winter Love Island (©ITV Plc) ©©ITV Plc

Will Young (not the singer) went into the Love Island 2023 winter villa as a farmer and TikTok influencer. Will had a rocky start when he was coupled up with Olivia and Lana but after Jessie arrived they stayed together until the end of their stint.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Jessie Wynter and "Love Island" contestant Will Young are seen at STK on March 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Palmer/GC Images)

After all that Casa Amor drama, Will managed to win Jessie back and they're practically inseparable now. She's moved to the UK, he's even travelled to Australia to meet her family and released his own book called For The Love of Farming. The pair also host a podcast together called Agree To Disagree.

Haris Namani

Before going into the villa, Haris Namani was TV salesman. Unfortunately, his nine day stint wasn't long, but he did manage to couple up with Anna-May and Olivia.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 06: Harris Namani attends the UK premiere of John Wick: Chapter 4 at Cineworld Leicester Square in London, United Kingdom on March 06, 2023. (Photo by Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Since leaving the villa, Haris has been travelling and posting boxing content on Instagram. He also took part in Love Island: Albania.

Tom Clare

Tom Clare on Love Island
©ITV Pictures

The first bombshell to enter the villa was semi-pro footballer Tom Clare. It's safe to say that he had a journey - he coupled up with Zara, Ellie, Samie, hit a blip following Casa and then reunited with Samie.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: Tom Clare attending the London premiere of Columbia Pictures' 'No Hard Feelings' at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on June 12, 2023 in London, England. The film will be released only in cinemas from 23 June 2023. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)

He left the show in third place alongside Samie but they've since split. Tom ended up taking part in All Stars and went on to win the show alongside Molly Smith. The couple are still together and are total GOALS.

Zara Lackenby-Brown

Zara Lackenby-Brown was a property developer and model before she entered the villa. After going on a few dates, she quickly made a stir when she coupled up with Tom and had a feud with Olivia.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Zara Deniz Lackenby-Brown seen attending the National Reality TV Awards at Porchester Hall on July 31, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil/GC Images)

She's still BFFs with Love Island winter 2020 star Demi Jones, still seems to be at odds with Olivia and she's released her own song Funk You Want.

David Salako

love island david 2023
david on a date ©ITV

David Salako was a money adviser before his few day stint. Unfortunately he wasn't in the villa long and wasn't able to couple up with anyone either.

David was the first Islander to get dumped but things aren't all bad - he is now a successful online fitness coach.

Aaron Waters

love island aaron
©ITV

Australian Aaron Waters was no stranger to Love Island after taking part in the Aussie version in 2021. He coupled up with Lana but after she reunited with Ron, he failed to find love elsewhere.

aaron waters and casey ogorman
aaron papped with casey ©Getty Images

After he was dumped from the villa, Aaron has continued his job as a model and has removed all traces of Love Island 2023 from his Instagram. He's grown his hair out since appearing on Love Island and looks 🔥🔥.

Jessie Wynter

Jessie Wynter arrived in the villa alongside Aaron and she was also on Love Island Australia but in a different season. She stayed coupled up with Will throughout her time in the villa.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Jessie Wynter seen attending PrettyLittleThing Showroom Launch on April 12, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ricky Vigil M/Justin E Palmer/GC Images)

After leaving the villa, Jessie is still loved up with Will, has moved to the UK and is pretty much a full-time influencer where she works with brand such as White Fox and Ego. She also hosts a podcast with Will.

Ellie Spence

Ellie Spence was a business development executive at a law firm before finding fame. She coupled up with Ron, Tom and Jordan before getting dumped.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: Ellie Spence attending the London premiere of Columbia Pictures' 'No Hard Feelings' at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on June 12, 2023 in London, England. The film will be released only in cinemas from 23 June 2023. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for Sony Pictures)

Nowadays she's a full-on influencer and often posts holiday photos.

Spencer Wilks

love island spencer
©ITV

Spencer Wilks was an e-commerce business owner who only coupled up with Olivia before he was dumped.

Unfortunately, Spencer wasn't in the villa long but he does have over 36K Instagram followers and he's always at the beach (check his Insta).

Samie Elishi

Samie Elishi was a senior estate agent coordinator before going on Love Island. She coupled up with Kai and then Tom.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Samie Elishi attends the Ghost Fragrances Luna collection rooftop party on August 3, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Ghost Fragrances)

After leaving the villa and ending her relationship with Tom, Samie's still BFFs with Claudia, revealed the Love Island scene that left her 'shaking like a leaf' and opened up about having thyroid surgery.

She went on to hard launch her romance with former TOWIE star, Harry Lee, but the couple split in September 2024 after several months of dating.

In February 2025, she entered the All Stars villa as one of the final bombshells. Despite showing interest in Luca Bish, she left the villa a few days later a single pringle. She is now dating former Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson.

Casey O’Gorman

love island casey
©ITV

Casey O'Gorman was a recruitment consultant before he coupled up with Lana, Claudia and then Rosie. He did form a firm (well, so we thought) friendship with Will and Tom.

love island casey
©Getty Images

After leaving the villa, Casey split from Rosie, moved in with Tom and it came to light that he fell out with former BFF Will.

He joined his bestie, Tom, in taking part in the first ever All Stars series but failed to find The One. Unless you count his new bromance with Callum Jones. He then returned for All Stars 2025 and ended up winning the thing with Gabby Allen. The couple dated for a few months after the show wrapped, but split in May 2025.

He has gone on to launch his own drinks company alongside racing car driver and close pal Seb Melrose who seems to be mates with every single former Islander ever, by the way.

Jordan Odofin

Love Island's Jordan Odofin
©ITV Pictures

Jordan Odofin was a Senior HR Adviser before he arrived in the villa and had a fling with Ellie and Tanyel. Jordan decided to couple up with Ellie but it wasn't to last and they were dumped together on day 26.

What's Jordan doing now you ask? Well, after having a brief fling with fellow Islander Zara, he's gone back to modelling and a bit of influencing.

Claudia Fogarty

love island claudia
©ITV

Claudia Fogarty owned her own fashion brand before going into the villa and falling for Casey. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be and she was dumped on day 45.

claudia fogarty
©Getty Images

After leaving the villa, Claudia confirmed that she'd crossed the friendship line with Casey...

She swiftly moved on, however, finding love outside of the villa with footballer Olly Crankshaw, who she is expecting her first child with.

Rosie Seabrook

love island rosie
©ITV

Rosie Seabrook was an industry placement advisor who arrived in the villa after Casa Amor but she still made an impact. She recoupled with Casey and they were dumped from the villa together on day 51.

rosie seabrook
©Getty Images

It wasn't to last and days after the Love Island Reunion they confirmed they'd called it quits. She did spark dating rumours with Keanan but other than that, she's an influencer.

Keanan Brand

Keanan Brand
©ITV

Keanan Brand was a professional rugby player before he arrived in the villa. During his short stint he coupled up with Claudia.

He wasn't in the villa long but he does have over 100k Instagram followers, he has a new girlfriend and he's gone back to his job as a rugby player.

Martin Akinola

Martin at the fire pit in the Love Island villa
©ITV Pictures

Martin Akinola was a senior software engineer before he arrived in the villa during Casa Amor. After causing drama between Shaq and Tanya, he was dumped from the villa on day 40.

love island martin
©Getty Images

Nowadays, Martin is BFFs with Love Island 2022 star Dami Hope, he's influencing and regularly attends fun events.

Ryan Weekley

Ryan Weekley smiles at the camera in swimming trunks
©ITV

Other than Martin, Ryan Weekley (a steel erector) was the only other Casa Amor star who had real potential to make it back to the main villa. Unfortunately, Samie wasn't keen and he didn't make it.

love island ryan weekley
©Getty Images

After giving OnlyFans a go, he now seems to be focusing on fitness influencing.

Cynthia Otseh-Taiwo

love island cynthia
cynthia also made an appearance ©ITV

Cynthia Otseh-Taiwo was a dental receptionist and while she didn't make it past the Casa Amor stint, she did snog and straddle Casey.

love island cynthia
©Getty Images

Nowadays Cynthia's posting gorgeous pics online, influencing and she's still running her cake business.

Lydia Karakyriakou

lydia Karakyriakou
©ITV

Lydia Karakyriakou was a retail customer assistant before the villa. While she did share a snog with Tom, she didn't make it past the Casa Amor stint.

Lydia has become a full-time influencer since leaving the villa. She also dated Ron Hall for a hot sec.

Layla Al-Momani

layla Al-Momani
©ITV

Layla Al-Momani was a Casa Amor star who was a brand managing director before her stint. She snogged Will and during the infamous Casa Amor recoupling she called out some of the boys.

Layla's often spotted hanging out with her Casa Amor girls or influencing.

Lynda Flix

lynda flix
©ITV

Justice for Lynda Flix. She was the Love Island 2023 winter Casa Amor bombshell that was seen on screen for 0.3 seconds.

Lynda's released her own song and is also an influencer. Lydia also took to TikTok last month where she confirmed she did in find love, just outside of the dating show.

Sammy James

Samy from Casa Amore winter 2023 smiles wearing a red bikini
©itv

Sammy James was a beauty buyer Casa Amor star who didn't make it back to the main villa.

Sammy's moved to Dubai and is an influencer.

Bayley Mummery

Bayley Mummery Love Island series 9
©(C) ITV Plc

Bayley Mummery was an operations manager who arrived in Casa Amor star and didn't make it back to the main villa.

Bayley Mummery
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 28: Bayley Mummery attends the Urban Music Awards 2023 at Porchester Hall on February 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images) ©Getty Images

Bayley went on to appear on Olivia Attwood's hit show, Bad Boyfriends.

Frankie Davey

Frankie Davey Love Island series 9
©©ITV Plc

Frankie Davey was a professional boxer who arrived in Casa Amor star and didn't make it back to the main villa.

Frankie's still a professional boxer and often posts topless photos on Instagram.

Kain Reed

Kain Reed Love Island series 9
Kain Reed ©©ITV Plc

Kain Reed was an energy consultant who also didn't make it past the Casa Amor week.

kain reed
©Getty Images

Judging by his Instagram account, Kain seems to be travelling a lot.

When did winter Love Island 2023 start?

Love Island 2023 began on Monday 16 January 2023.

Speaking about the return of winter Love Island, Paul Mortimer, director of reality commissioning and controller at ITV2, said, 'Love Island has once again proved itself to be the nation’s favourite talking point across the summer, and we’re always blown away by the show’s ongoing impact and talkability amongst our younger audience.

'So, rather than just serving up a Summer of Love, we thought we’d make 2023 the Year of Love with two full series of the show.'

Mike Spencer, Executive Producer at Lifted Entertainment said, 'After eight brilliant series, we are excited to be serving up two helpings of love in 2023 by kicking off in January at a stunning new villa in South Africa. We can look forward to more romances, bromances and everything in between as we embark on another epic year of love.'

Where is winter Love Island filmed?

The first Love Island series of 2023 took place in Cape Town, South Africa - just like the 2020 series.

Who presented winter Love Island 2023?

After a lot of speculation it was confirmed that the new Love Island host is Maya Jama, after Laura Whitmore stepped down.

WATCH: 'Tom and Casey HACKED the villa phones' Kai and Sanam spill the tea | Love Island Secrets

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