Love Island catch up: 5 talking points, from Michael dumping Amber for Joanna to Curtis and Amy

A mass recoupling caused more turmoil among the Islanders

Love Island 2019: Trailer for Wednesday night hints at explosive rows between couples

What an epic helping of mass-market emotional manipulation! Love Island’s Great Recoupling episode lives up to its billing as hearts are shattered, egos broken and everyone ends up looking as if they’re trapped in the longest, most surreal (and humid) romantic comedy ever.

With the show having divided the original couples, tonight’s the night they reunite and decide whether they wish to carry on as before. Your faith in human nature is very briefly restored as Tommy and Molly-Mae cuddle and pledge their gooey fealty to one another.

Alas, your fate in human nature has already been reduced to tatters courtesy of Curtis and his half-girlfriend shenanigans with poor, love-struck Amy. And what about Jordan, who declares he is staying true to Anna only to discover she’s paired off with Ovie. As we all sit down to take in the shock and surprises, here’s a list of who’s coupled with who (and who is single), with the evening’s talking points following.

1: There are a lot of new couples now

It’s hard keeping track. So here’s a definitive countdown of who is with who. Amy and Curtis (just about). Michael and Joanna. Molly-Mae and Tommy. Anna and Ovie. Lucie and George. Anton and Belle. Maura and Marvin (you can call them “M&M” if you really want to). Danny and Jourdan. Which leaves Amber and Jordan as the uneasy singles in the pack.

2: This is really the Curtis show, isn't it?

The professional hoofer tap-dances his way onto our naughty list by trying to pair off with Jourdan while keeping Amy in his figurative back pocket as Plan B. Jourdan has other plans – and by plans we mean Danny. So Curtis decides – and rather reluctantly – to stick with Amy.

Guess what? She is utterly in love with him. He whispers that they have something to discuss later. How will she take the news that she’s the half-girlfriend he only quarter-fancies?

3: Thank goodness for Tommy and Molly-Mae

The entire villa melts into tears as Tommy and Molly Mae hug. They’ve stayed true to one another! Love Island is often accused of cynically manipulating its contestants. But this moment of genuine human emotion cuts through the reality shenanigans like a comb through a quiff drenched in gel. Sorry for the weird analogy – but I’ve just spent the past 80 minute starring at Curtis’s hair so it’s what comes to mind.

4: The extra running time works

Eighty minutes of Love Island? For some viewers, that might sound about as appealing as an extra half-hour in the dentist’s chair. But this is a night full of drama, heartache and Curtis looking as if he wants to dive behind a potted plant and hide. Stuffing it all into the traditional hour would have been far too rushed.

5: What happens now? Lots of shouting apparently.

The tears, the mopey expressions, the shy grins – and that’s just Tommy gazing at his toy elephant. But now, after the Recoupling calm, comes the storm. At least judging by the sneak preview of tomorrow night. It seems Amy has a few choice words for Curtis. And Michael is speaking rather passionately too. Forget the Rumble in the Jungle. This is shaping up to be the Squawker in Majorca.

The liveblog is now closed:

Live Island continues on 4 July at 9pm on ITV2

Key Points

Mass recoupling sees a number of new couples form, including Michael and Joanna, Maura and Dennon, and Anna and Ovie

[2 July 2019 18:32 · roisin.oconnor]

Hello and welcome to tonight's Love Island liveblog! Ed Power will be your guide tonight – will he be bitchier than me? I guess we'll find out.

[2 July 2019 18:46 · roisin.oconnor]

Here's your rundown of what took place in last night's episode: 

The islanders played some love games

A new challenge caused trouble after demanding different contestants kiss one another according to age and height. Molly-Mae got jealous after learning Tommy, the youngest boy, had kissed another girl, while Amber was equally peeved that Michael kissed someone else, given that she refused to take part in the kissing challenges. 

[2 July 2019 18:55 · roisin.oconnor]

Curtis's head was turned, a lot

Curtis is risking his relationship with Amy after admitting that he was interested in Jourdan. However, after hearing him confess said interest, Jourdan then opted to share a bed with Danny and enjoy a lights-out makeout session with him. So Curtish could be risking everything for... nothing. 

[2 July 2019 19:04 · roisin.oconnor]

Anton got his first kiss

Anton looked genuinely baffled after weeks of being ignored by the women of Love Island, when he was kissed by new contestant Belle, who definitely isn't cosying up to him because she wants to stay on the show whent the next recoupling takes place.

[2 July 2019 19:15 · roisin.oconnor]

Michael was cancelled

After the trailer for tomorrow night's episode (2 July) aired, viewers expressed their shock on social media after seeing Michael crack on with Joanna, despite professing his loyalty to Amber. “I've officially lost all hope in men,” one particularly distressed audience member tweeted. “Goodnight.”

[2 July 2019 19:25 · roisin.oconnor]

Here's that trailer for tonight's episode

When Casa Amor and the Villa reunite

[2 July 2019 19:35 · roisin.oconnor]

Tonight it looks as though a mass dumping is in order, with a whopping SIX contestants set to get kicked off the Island.

[2 July 2019 19:46 · roisin.oconnor]

Drama 

[2 July 2019 19:56 · roisin.oconnor]

More drama 

[2 July 2019 20:07 · roisin.oconnor]

Maura was a delight as per in the latest episode