Love Island catch-up: Are Michael and Amber back together, and more talking points

Love Island's current villain has decided now Joanna is no longer around to distract him, he can focus all his attention on Amber

Love island 2019: Michael admits he still likes Amber

Love Island continues after three new contestants – Harley, India and Greg – arrived on the island.

Anton was absent from tonight's (17 July) episode after being taken ill, showrunners announced.

But there was still some vague sense of drama thanks to the "will they, won't they" saga between Amber and Michael after Joanna was booted out of the villa, even as she appeared to be enjoying some kind of spark with Greg.

Elsewhere, India has set her sights on Ovie but still seems somewhat interested in Chris, while Curtis and Maura appeared to grow closer.

Here are some of the biggest talking points:

The new contestants picked a date each

New contestant Greg is charming everyone with his Irish accent, but Amber in particular, who he took on a date at the beginning of the episode. India then received a text that revealed all three new

contestants could go on a breakfast date with the Islander of their choice.

Greg went with fellow Irish resident Maura (just as friends), while India cracked on with an eager Ovie and Harley tried to get to know Michael, whose mind seemed occupied with thoughts of a certain someone.

Chris got "Ovie'd"

A new piece of Love Island lingo emerged in the latest episode after Ovie charmed new contestant India while Chris, who was very keen on India himself, watched on. "I've been Ovie'd," he proclaimed. Belle, who he was confiding in, seemed oblivious to the wordplay and Chris eventually decided he'll just be himself and hope for the best.

Michael decided he wants Amber back

Michael, who is undoubtedly the current "villain" of the group, has decided that without Joanna to distract him (I mean, it's not like she was throwing fireworks at his head), he's had a chance to realise he actually wants Amber back. Even though Amber seems quite taken with Greg, and vice versa. It looks as though that conversation will be aired in full during tomorrow night's (18 July) episode. Joy.

The liveblog is now closed:

Love Island continues each night at 9pm on ITV2

Key Points

• Here's a reminder of what happened in last night's episode (not much)
• Meet the new contestants: Greg, India and Harley

[17 July 2019 19:29 · roisin.oconnor]

Good evening and welcome to tonight's episode of Love Island. I will be your sarcastic guide through all the drama, tears and tantrums about nothing in particular.

[17 July 2019 19:43 · roisin.oconnor]

Sad news for Anton fans (if there is someone out there besides his mum cheering him on) – he's been taken ill so he won't be appearing in tonight's episode. 

From an ITV2 spokesperson: "After feeling unwell during the day, Anton spent the night away from the villa and is subsequently missing from tonight's episode. He has since returned to the villa."

[17 July 2019 19:54 · roisin.oconnor]

Here's a reminder of what took place in last night's episode 

[17 July 2019 20:07 · roisin.oconnor]

And here's what to expect from tonight's episode 

[17 July 2019 20:16 · roisin.oconnor]

After several painful days trying to choose between the two “lovely ladies” who were both, inexplicably, into him, Curtis has finally made a decision. How long he and Maura will last together – given that she is the greatest Islander, and he has come up from behind to prove himself to be the worst – remains to be seen.

[17 July 2019 20:25 · roisin.oconnor]

From Alex in last night's blog: Maura and Amber have been fast friends from the start, but that very nearly crumbled after Michael's disrespectful conversation with his former flame, Amber. She, understandably, felt that none of her friends adequately stuck up for her. "I got really riled up to the point where I was gonna lose my head," she told Maura, "and everyone dispersed as if nothing has happened." "At the end of the day, the most important thin to know is I will always have your back," replied Maura, "but I'm not gonna fight people's battles for them." And then they hugged. It was perhaps the most emotionally mature resolution of the series. But I'm sure if Michael had witnessed it, he would have still yelled, "Chaldish."

[17 July 2019 20:36 · roisin.oconnor]

Greg is going on a date with Amber tonight so we'll see how that goes.

[17 July 2019 20:48 · roisin.oconnor]

[17 July 2019 21:00 · roisin.oconnor]

Alright here we go

[17 July 2019 21:01 · roisin.oconnor]

Alright Michael, you scumbag. Looks like he's going to cause some trouble in tonight's episode.