Love Island catchup: The three biggest talking points, from twins Jess and Eve to Posh Ollie's roving eye

Among this year's singles are celebrity siblings, landowners and police officers

Twins Eve and Jess arrive in the Love Island villa

The first winter series of Love Island has officially begun as the contestants make their way into the villa.

The UK winter season will introduce 12 new hopefuls looking to find love, this time in South Africa.

Last year’s contest was won by Amber Gill and Greg O’Shea in what proved to be one of the most controversial series in the show’s history.

Among this year's singles are celebrity siblings, landowners and police officers, who will be joined by brand new host Laura Whitmore.

Here are three of the biggest talking points from the first episode:

Sophie and Connor seem smitten already

After they coupled up, Sophie and Connor seemed for form an immediate bond as the rest of the contestants settled into the villa. That said, Connor had a little bit of a sulk after Sophie made fun of his revelation that he once had a threesome after going on a first date with someone. Perhaps it's not true love after all.

Posh boy Ollie has a "child in sweetshop" vibe

While he initially seemed very taken with 22-year-old Paige, landowner Ollie definitely has a roving eye. He's already asked Siannise if she might be interested in anyone else (meaning him), and later managed to spill his drink everywhere upon seeing twins Jess and Eve arrive at the end of the night.

Speaking of twins...

Jess and Eve are clearly here to cause trouble. The students and VIP hostesses arrived at the end of the night, after the other contestants had coupled up. In the next episode, they'll be asked to pick two guys they fancy, meaning two other girls will be left "single and vulnerable". Uh oh.

The liveblog is now closed

Love Island continues each night on ITV2 at 9pm

Key Points

Ex-girlfriend of singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi is among the contestants

[12 January 2020 19:27 · roisin.oconnor]

Hello, and welcome to The Independent's liveblog of the first ever winter series of Love Island!

[12 January 2020 19:55 · roisin.oconnor]

Expect heavy doses of sarcasm in tonight's commentary. You'll also be treated to a review from our very own Sean O'Grady.

[12 January 2020 19:59 · roisin.oconnor]

First thing's first, get yourselves familiar with the 12 hopefuls who'll be making their way into the villa in South Africa in just over an hour 

[12 January 2020 20:05 · roisin.oconnor]

Shaugna is a democratic services officer from London. She describes herself as "chatty, fun and clever", adding: "When they hear me speak about certain things they'll be shocked. I like to get on with everyone, too." Her celebrity crush is Jack Fincham while her ideal man is "tall, dark and handsome".

[12 January 2020 20:10 · roisin.oconnor]

Medical PA Sophie hails from Essex and is excited to spend some time in the villa. Her celebrity crush is Anthony Joshua, she describes herself as "kind, fun and energetic".

[12 January 2020 20:15 · roisin.oconnor]

Leanne is a customer service advisor from London. She describes herself as "fun" and is looking for love, but thinks she'll need to learn to be more open while in the villa. Her celebrity crush is Gerard Butler.

[12 January 2020 20:20 · roisin.oconnor]

Eve and Jess are twins currently studying and working as VIP hostesses in London. Both say they're confident and easy-going, and both pick Anthony Joshua as their celebrity crush.

[12 January 2020 20:25 · roisin.oconnor]

Singer Paige comes from West Lothian and is a "natural flirt". She comes from a small village where everyone knows everyone, so is looking for someone with "a different mentality". Her celebrity crush is Tom Hardy.

[12 January 2020 20:30 · roisin.oconnor]

Siânnise is a beauty consultant from Bristol who has "quite a lot" of experience with men, and so knows what she's on the look-out for. She describes herself as "sassy and fun", and her celebrity crush is Anthony Joshua or Nineties Leonardo DiCaprio.

[12 January 2020 20:35 · roisin.oconnor]

Coffee bean salesman Conor comes from Brighton but has been living in Australia for the past four years. He's had two big relationships, "one good, one bad". His celebrity crush is Maya Jama.