When does Winter Love Island start? 2023 release date and villa details

UPDATE: Whilst the main series has now concluded, there's the all-important Love Island reunion to look forward to.

Love Island 2022 came, saw and conquered, bringing with it bundles of drama, a few surprise dumpings and of course the shock return of ex-islander Adam Collard. It's been several months since the big Love Island final and whilst your winners Ekin-Su and Davide seem still loved up, some of the other Love Island couples sadly haven't gone the distance. And these aren't the only notable splits to come out of the latest series, with Laura Whitmore quitting her Love Island role shortly after the 2022 show. 

Maya Jama is confirmed as the new Love Island host and the 28-year-old presenter will be making her debut in the upcoming Winter Love Island series. Thankfully, Maya and the islanders are heading to our screens in just a matter of days! Because there's nothing like some Love Island viewing to banish those Winter blues. Here's when it starts and what you need to know - but be sure to check out when Love Island finishes and who left Love Island most recently too.

When does Winter Love Island start?

Winter Love Island starts on Monday 16 January 2023 at the usual time of 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX. This year's show has a new location and presenter - with Maya Jama ready to host the island action from South Africa. 

The start date coincides with Blue Monday, which some could see as a deliberate move by show bosses to banish the blues. "Love Island bosses have planned for the show to start on Blue Monday – which is bound to give fans a massive lift on such a gloomy day," a source told Birmingham Mail. "This year’s contestants will be flown out to South Africa earlier in January and will start filming for the first episode the day before."

2023 is proving to be THE year for Love Island fans, with two series planned to take place. It all kicks off with Winter Love Island this January. The regular Love Island then returns at the same time this Summer.

"2023 is officially the year of love!, ITV confirmed in a statement. "We will kick start the New Year with a fresh batch of Islanders heading to South Africa, then we'll be back to Mallorca for eight love-filled weeks in the summer," read the statement.

The last Winter Love Island to hit our screens was way back in January 2020 and was won by Paige Turley and Finn Tapp. Sadly the coronavirus pandemic and ongoing safety precautions, prevented the series from returning in 2021.

Most recently, ITV has announced a spin-off show called The Romance Retreat, which has the same premise as Love Island - only with older constestants.

Winter Love Island 2023 - See the new villa

Returning after two years away, producers have pulled out the stops for the upcoming show, with sources telling MailOnline that it will feature the 'best villa yet'. 

According to the publication the new location is situated in South Africa's Franschhoek wine valley - also known as 'millionaire row'. An eco-retreat with a huge pool, surrounded by stunning mountain views, a stay at the property currently sets you back £430 a night to stay.

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."

Who is presenting Love Island 2023?

It was confirmed on October 12, 2022 that TV and radio presenter Maya Jama will be presenting Love Island 2023 along with Love Island: Aftersun. "Maya was ITV’s dream option," a source told The Sun. "She is fun, beautiful and a brilliant presenter. 

"She was discussed as a possible replacement for Caroline two years ago - but now the time is right...," they told the publication. 

Maya shared how she is a "massive fan" of Love Island, which made the job so much more exciting. When interviewed on This Morning about how she plans to approach the role, Maya said: "I tried not to do too much research, cos you still do want to be yourself don't you. You want to ask the questions you want to know.

"But as a fan of the show, I feel like I'm just going to approach it how I've screamed at the telly for years," she added. "Like 'I want to know this and I want to know that'. Like 'why did you kiss her and what happened then'. But we'll see."

The 28-year-old confirmed on Twitter that she arrived in South Africa to start shooting for Winter Love Island on January 8.

For those who aren't familiar with Maya's background, the new host has enjoyed a successful presenting career on both TV and radio. She started out in 2014, making a ncame for herself on RinseFM with her #DrivewithMaya show. She later went on to present shows and cover presenters on BBC Radio 1.

As for television, she's been the host of Walk The Line, Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star and Soccer Aid. As for dating shows she previously presented MTV's True Love or True Lies - so definitely has some experience in the area.

Maya used to date musician Stormzy, but in 2022 she suggested her engagement to Ben Simmons - an American NBA Basketball star.

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