Love Island will be back on our screens next week with the first episode seeing the return of a public vote.

Usually, the Islanders enter the Villa and choose their partner based on first impressions but this summer, the public will be able to vote for the people they’d like to see in a couple.

Host Maya Jama told ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Monday, May 29: “A very big surprise – the public has all the power. So for the first episode, you guys are going to decide who couples up, you vote and we listen.”

She added: “A big decision to make, as soon as you see them.”

Last year was the first time viewers could make the decision rather than the Islanders.

Jama said: “You’ll see them, they get announced this morning.

“So you can kind of make your notes if you want. Start jotting down who you think should be together. And when it starts, off you go.”

The 2023 contestants are being unveiled on the Love Island Twitter account on Monday, with beautician Ruchee, 24, from Sutton, being the first islander to be revealed.

It will be the first summer series Jama will host, after making her debut during the winter series in South Africa earlier this year, replacing former presenter Laura Whitmore.

Jama hailed the programme as “the original reality show”, adding: “It was unheard of back in the day that you could sit and watch couples meet and unfold and then all the drama that comes with it and the breakups and the makeups.

“I think us as humans, we watch and comment on people’s relationships, maybe in a restaurant or something and be like, ‘they look cute’ and I wonder if they’re going to last, but to actually see it unfold over the space of a few months – it’s just great television I think.”

Asked what advice she would give to contestants, she said: “I would tell them just have fun. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’re never going to be in this position again, unless maybe you get brought back later years.

“But enjoy it and just fall in love if you can, be open to all the opportunities.”

Voting opens on Thursday morning at 8am on the Love Island app and closes on Friday at 9pm.

Love Island returns to ITV2 and ITVX on June 5.