Overview

• Contestants faced an unprecedented launch-night format that had women select partners from mystery profiles, resulting in the first female eviction before any pairings formed.
• Toni Laites debuted as the first bombshell, bringing American flair and raising awareness of living with ulcerative colitis as she aims to forge a UK romance.
• Rugby player Conor Phillips replaced Kyle Ashman at the eleventh hour after Ashman withdrew for personal reasons, entering the villa as a last-minute newcomer.
• Executive producer Mike Spencer-Hayter implemented format tweaks including a shorter terrace wall and a 24-hour accessible Hideaway to intensify interaction.
• Maya Jama returned to host on ITV2 and ITVX, presiding over the show's milestone tenth year and promising more drama and twists to come.