Love Island All Stars viewers were left aghast by the show ‘married and nearly 50-year-old’ contestants during Monday’s much-anticipated launch show and declared: ‘This isn’t for senior citizens!’.
The ITV2 series welcomed back a whole host of former stars with many now much older and with plenty of baggage as fans fumed they were ’embarrassing’ themselves by returning to the villa.
While Marcel Somerville was the eldest at 39 and admitted he was still married, Scott Thomas was 36, making them both a decade older than youngest singleton Catherine Agbaje, 24.
Meanwhile Naz Majeed, 28, and Curtis Pritchard, also 28, revealed they were fresh out of relationships leaving viewers at home shouting at the TV.
Taking to X they said: ‘Nah, there really should be an age limit for Love Island… why are you doing this again at your big age?’: ‘Any of the past islanders over the age of at least 33 should have some respect for themsleves and not go on, that’s a lil embarrassing sorry’: ‘Marcel whose 39 married and going into the villa, not a good look ITV’.
‘The age gaps are kinds crazy in terms of friendships cos how are Catherine who is 24 meant to be besties with 34 year old India?’: ‘Marcel being 39 and married going on Love Island is hilarious to me’: ‘I know Love Island may not have an age limit but if you’re touching 40….’.
Love Island All Stars viewers were left aghast by the show ‘married and nearly 50-year-old’ contestants during Monday’s much-anticipated launch show
While Marcel Somerville was the eldest at 39 and admitted he was still married, Scott Thomas (L) was 36, making them both a decade older than youngest singleton Catherine Agbaje , 24
It comes after Marcel has revealed ‘cheating’ wife Rebecca Viera’s reaction to him entering the infamous villa.
He first appeared on the show back in 2017, and came in fourth place alongside ex Gabby Allen, is also in the new line-up and has detailed her hopes of a reconciliation.
Marcel is still married and going through a divorce after splitting from Rebecca, with whom he shares three-year-old-son Roman, last year after she admitted to ‘cheating’ him with US rapper Slim Jxmmi.
Revealing how he broke the news to his estranged wife he told The Mirror: ‘I had to tell Rebecca that I wasn’t going to be around for a few weeks, she said: “I can’t believe this. I can’t believe this is happening”‘.
‘But she’s got to a point of understanding that our relationship has broken down. We’re going through a divorce. It’s got to get to a point where we have to start moving forward and living our lives separately’
The Blazin Squad star admitted the news was a ‘shock’ to Rebecca: ‘ She was she wasn’t expecting it to happen, but she’s become accepting of the situation because she made a mistake. I can’t put my life on hold when opportunities like this come up’.
It comes after Rebecca broke her silence on Marcel’s Love Island appearance by re-sharing a quote which read, ‘What makes you beautiful is that you stayed soft in a life that tried to harden you’.
She also shared a sizzling bikini picture as she showed off her amazing figure in the two-piece while posing in a kitchen.
Meanwhile Naz Majeed (L), and Curtis Pritchard, also 28, revealed they were fresh out of relationships leaving viewers at home shouting at the TV
(L-R) Marcel pictured on the show in 2017 and Scott in 2015
Taking to X they said: ‘Nah, there really should be an age limit for Love Island… why are you doing this again at your big age?’
She added a coordinated bucket hat and wore a pair of ripped blue denim shorts unbuttoned.
Following news of their split, Rebecca penned a public letter of apology, holding herself fully accountable for cheating on Marcel with rapper Slim Jxmmi.
Taking to Instagram at the time, she wrote: ‘By now most of you would have seen what’s going on, I’ve made a huge mistake, I’ve embarrassed not only my husband but myself and both our families.
‘My actions were foolish and have hurt so many people around us but most importantly my husband.
‘I’ve said a lot of things that I shouldn’t have and it was stupid of me so I won’t sit here and justify my actions, those decisions should have never been made.’
She added: ‘I want to publicly apologise to my Marcel, just as loudly as the rest of the noise. For all the hurt, embarrassment and pain I have put him through there is nothing and no one in the world that comes before you and our family.
‘No-one could ever compare.’
She then posted a picture of the couple’s gold wedding bands which had engraved ‘always and forever.’
Marcel and Rebecca welcomed their son Roman back in January 2021 and now co-parent their little boy.
Marcel is going through a divorce after splitting from Rebecca, with whom he shares three-year-old-son Roman, last year after she admitted to ‘cheating’ him with rapper Slim Jxmmi
He first appeared on the show back in 2017, and came in fourth place alongside ex Gabby Allen (pictured) who will also be in the villa and has detailed her hopes of a reconciliation
‘“I had to tell Rebecca that I wasn’t going to be around for a few weeks, she said: “I can’t believe this. I can’t believe this is happening”‘
Rounding off the year, Marcel said he was glad to say bye to 2024 as it was the ‘hardest year of his life’.
And in September, Marcel shared a post reflecting on his ‘stressful year’ full of ‘ups and downs’ and said he wants to focus on his son Roman and ‘protecting his future’.
He penned: ‘It’s been a stressful year, ups and downs but you only get dealt what you can manage.
‘Things happen in life that make you take a look at the things that are most important to you and for me the most important thing to me is my Son and doing everything within my power to make sure he’s always going to be GOOD!’
‘Protecting his future is something I always tried to do but if this year showed me anything it’s that life can always throw a curve ball.
But the age gaps and Marcel’s appearance are not the only talking point of the launch show, with plenty of name-dropping and drama occuring within the highly-anticipated first episode.
From India Reynolds claiming she was ‘blind-sided’ by Ovie Soko’s management when they announced the split before they actually broke up, to Curtis Pritchard claiming ex Maura Higgins ‘blanked him,’ the drama is already rife.
India and Ovie met on series five of the show in 2019 and made it all the way to the final, but they broke up just three months after leaving the villa.
Speaking in her intro for the new series, India shared that she was shocked to see the public statement announcing their break-up, when she didn’t know the relationship was over.
India Reynolds claimed she was ‘blind-sided’ by Ovie Soko’s management when they announced the split before they actually broke up
Meanwhile, Curtis confessed Irish stunner Maura, 34, ignored him when they bumped into each other after they went their separate ways
But the age gaps and Marcel’s appearance are not the only talking point of the launch show, with plenty of name-dropping and drama occuring within the highly-anticipated first episode
Viewers were left reeling after it was revealed Ronnie Vint was sliding into Olivia Hawkins’ DMs while with Harriet Blackmore
Viewers were shocked at the revelation about fan favourite Ovie and begged it ‘not to be true’, as well as calling the move ‘dark’.
Meanwhile, Curtis confessed Irish stunner Maura, 34, ignored him when they bumped into each other after they went their separate ways.
Sharing his experience, Curtis said: ‘We saw each other a couple of times, I said ‘hello’ and she just completely blanked me.
‘So I would say perhaps not best friends… Or friends, at all,’ the dancer added with a cheeky grin.
Elsewhere, viewers were left reeling after it was revealed Ronnie Vint was sliding into Olivia Hawkins’ DMs while with Harriet Blackmore.
As the reality dating show returned to screens on Monday, Olivia revealed during a game of ‘red flags’ hosted by Maya Jama what Ronnie had done.
Olivia awarded Ronnie her ‘red flag’ because he had sent her a message while ‘with another girl’, as the girls around the fire pit collectively gasped.
Holding nothing back, Olivia said: ‘I just wanted to let the ice break, a little bit…’
While, Ronnie protested: ‘Seeing a girl and being in a relationship with her are two different things…’
Elsewhere, when discussing his relationship with Gemma Owen on the show, Luca Bish coldly swiped that he was with Michael Owen’s daughter, 21, for ‘a few months…too long’
After a dramatic introduction, the first couples were revealed in the closing moments of Monday’s action packed launch episode
They wickedly opted to reunited exes Marcel Somerville , 39, and Gabby Allen, 32, six years after their relationship ended
Meanwhile Ronnie Vint, 28, was coupled up with Elma Pazar, 32, with viewers branding the pair ‘well suited’ and predicting them the show’s ‘early winners’
But Olivia fired back: ‘I mean, you were holding hands, and it looked very cosy…’
It was later confirmed that the girl in question was his ex Harriet Blackmore, who he coupled with in the 2024 series.
Elsewhere, when discussing his relationship with Gemma Owen on the show, Luca Bish coldly swiped that he was with Michael Owen’s daughter, 21, for ‘a few months…too long.’
Fans were quick to pick up on the ‘salty’ comment, and rushed to X to react, writing: ‘A FEW MONTHS.. TOO LONG?!? LMAOO #LoveIsland #LoveIslandAllStars.’
After a dramatic introduction, the first couples were revealed in the closing moments of Monday’s action packed launch episode.
The public were given the power to pair up the singeltons and wickedly opted to reunited exes Marcel Somerville , 39, and Gabby Allen, 32, six years after their relationship ended shortly after their stint in the 2017 series when the Blazing Squad star cheated.
The awkward pairing saw Gabby quip: ‘Welcome back to my world’ while Marcel said: ‘This is strange, isn’t it?’.
Meanwhile Ronnie Vint, 28, was coupled up with Elma Pazar, 32, with viewers branding the pair ‘well suited’ and predicting them the show’s ‘early winners’.
Next Kaz Crossley, 29, was matched with fellow dancer Curtis Pritchard, 28, following them flirting up a storm.
It came after Ekin-Su revealed why she’s returned to the Love Island for All Stars, while making a thinly-veiled dig at ex Davide Sanclimenti
When quizzed on what she’s looking for this time around, Ekin-Su revealed she wants ‘someone who isn’t overly self-obsessed’ (pictured winning the show in 2022 with Davide)
Scott Thomas, 36, and India Reynolds, 34, were also coupled up and said despite being long time friends were open to seeing if romance blossomed.
Meanwhile Olivia Hawkins, 29, was paired with Luca Bish, 25, despite her reservations over him stating that a protective partner would need to ‘accept his boys’.
Finally viewers chose to couple Catherine Agbaje, 24, Nas Majeed, 28, before host Maya Jama unveiled the show’s first bombshell in the form of Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, 30.
It was revealed the stunner would be allowed to steal one of the hunks, before the show ended on a cliffhanger.
It came after Ekin-Su revealed why she’s returned to the Love Island for All Stars, while making a thinly-veiled dig at ex Davide Sanclimenti.
The former winner, 30, who scooped the £50,000 cash prize with ex Davide in June 2022, made her return at the end of the highly-anticipated launch show as she once again entered as a bombshell.
Speaking ahead of her comeback, the brunette beauty said: ‘I want to return to Love Island again because it’s where my journey started and has a special place in my heart.
‘It’s somewhere I’ve laughed, cried and learnt so much. The fact that there’s an opportunity to do it again – why not!
Speaking ahead of her comeback, the brunette beauty said: ‘I want to return to Love Island again because it’s where my journey started and has a special place in my heart’
‘Why can’t a winner go back in and re-write her story and have a second chance?! I think you should follow your gut and my gut is telling me to go back, so I’m listening to it.’
When quizzed on what she’s looking for this time around, Ekin-Su revealed she wants ‘someone who isn’t overly self-obsessed and someone that’s aware of flaws because we all have them.’
In what could be a swipe at Davide, she added: ‘I’d like a man that will love me when I’m in the worst mood possible but still understands why and has no judgments.
‘I’d like someone supportive, I don’t care about looks and money – I want someone to be my biggest cheerleader.’
When it comes to red flags, the biggest one for Ekin-Su is ‘someone selling the dream at the start, being perfect – because that’s not real.’
Love Island: All Stars continues Tuesday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
LOVE ISLAND: ALL STARS LINE UP
GABBY ALLEN
AGE: 32
SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
Because it’s the trenches out there! I feel like I have all my ducks in a row, it has been 8 years since I went into the Villa. I now run my businesses and I’ve grown up a lot… but I just haven’t found ‘the one’ yet.
KAZ CROSSLEY
AGE: 29
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
The first experience I had was so amazing and also so much fun! I’m even more mature now so I’m ready to find a relationship.
SCOTT THOMAS
AGE: 36
SERIES 2 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’ve been on a massive journey over the last five years; I’ve been working on sobriety, personal growth, self development, when I first went into the Villa I was still a bit of a boy.
RONNIE VINT
AGE: 28
SERIES 11 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I learnt so much from my experience last time. In the Villa I was always in ‘triangles’ and what not, but I feel like I’ve grown up a lot.
LUCA BISH
AGE: 25
SERIES 8 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I had such a good time last time, why not? I get to have a good time with the possibility of ending up with someone.
MARCEL SOMERVILLE
AGE: 39
SERIES 3 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I thought that I’d completed love and found my happily ever after – but the universe had a different plan. Somehow every time my life’s at a crossroads, I’ve got the opportunity to do Love Island. So I thought, why not?
CURTIS PRITCHARD
AGE: 28
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I feel like I’m in a different stage in my life. The idea of settling down is a serious idea in my life right now. I haven’t found my true love.
Nas will be entering the villa almost a year after splitting from girlfriend Eva Zapico four years after they met in the villa
NAS MAJEED
AGE: 28
SERIES 6 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
It was so much fun the first time around, waking up every day with a smile on my face – it feels like a full circle moment.
OLIVIA HAWKINS
AGE: 29
SERIES 9 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’m still single and getting close to my thirties, I feel ready for it now. I’m ready to meet a nice man. People misinterpret my honesty and how real I am.
CATHERINE AGBAJE
AGE: 24
SERIES 10 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I want to find love again, I want to give it another shot because it works!
INDIA REYNOLDS
AGE: 34
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I’ve been single for two and a half years and I think it’s time to settle down.
I don’t put any effort into dating and I don’t really like meeting people from apps so I’m looking forward to getting to know people in the Villa.
ELMA PAZAR
AGE: 32
SERIES 5 LOVE ISLAND
Why do you want to return to Love Island?
I want to have fun and I want to give it a proper go this time. My time was cut short the first time round and who knows, I could be the next Sophie (Piper) and Josh (Ritchie) or Molly (Smith) and Tom (Clare).