After years of fan demands and false starts, the long-awaited All Stars incarnation of Love Island is finally making its way onto our screens. 12 former Islanders are taking another dip in the dating pool this winter, under the watchful eyes of host Maya Jama and the fanatical viewing public.
Given the reality show’s long history spanning nearly a decade, there were numerous alumni to pick from to re-enter the communal bedroom. It’s perhaps not surprising that some of them have romantic history.
The most notable among them is Liberty Poole and Jake Cornish, who were coupled up for the majority of their season before they spectacularly hit the rocks towards the end of the run.
But also nestled in the line-up with a sliver of their own history are Toby Aromolaran and Georgia Steel. Despite appearing on different seasons of the ITV2 show, the two have since met while appearing on another spin-off of the programme over in the US.
Towards the end of last year, Toby and Georgia competed together in Love Island: Games – which is not wholly dissimilar to All Stars, given that it featured a starry cast of Islanders from across the international Islandverse (patent pending).
After taking part in the various Gladiators-style challenges on the show, Toby and Georgia were briefly coupled up. Although, the semi-pro footballer was balancing an unresolved situation with Cely Vazquez, who he was first paired with on the show.
Toby and Georgia then swiftly got the chop by day nine of the Games run and trundled their white, monogrammed suitcases out the villa doors together.
Before leaving, Toby defiantly said to his fellow Gamers, some of whom had voted for his exit: “We came, we conquered. Love Island: Games 2023, we out.”
Once back in the real world, Toby posted a couple of snaps with Georgia from the villa to his Instagram account, captioning the post: “I can’t lie I didn’t see that coming… but the games are the games! Love all the support from you guys! So what’s next then?”
It turns out what is next is more of the same. Toby enters the South African villa this week alongside a host of former UK reality stars from the programme — including Georgia.
She was asked who from the previous 10 series of the dating show would be her top pick to couple up with and while she namechecked Terry Walsh from the second season first, she did add: “And Toby Aromolaran because I feel comfortable with Toby and he’s a nice boy – he’s also fit!”
So more could certainly blossom in the Love Island villa from Georgia’s side of things. Meanwhile, Toby might not be adverse to it since he also commented ahead of the show: “90 percent of Love Islanders are my type.”
In classic Toby style, he then slightly despairingly adds: “How am I supposed to navigate, you know? Oh, Toby, what have you done.” With a sprinkle of history, Georgia and Toby could be ones to watch.
Love Island All Stars, hosted by Maya Jama, premieres on Monday, January 15 at 9pm on ITV1, ITV2, STV and ITVX.
Deputy TV Editor
Previously a TV Reporter at The Mirror, Rebecca can now be found crafting expert analysis of the TV landscape for Digital Spy, when she’s not talking on the BBC or Times Radio about everything from the latest season of Bridgerton or The White Lotus to whatever chaos is unfolding in the various Love Island villas.
When she’s not bingeing a box set, in-the-wild sightings of Rebecca have included stints on the National TV Awards and BAFTAs red carpets, and post-match video explainers of the reality TV we’re all watching.