She may be gearing up to set foot inside the Love Island villa, but it turns out Molly Marsh has long had links to the series.
The dating show’s newest singleton will have had a glimpse of what to expect after partying it up with former contestants and going on VIP tours of the famous villa.
With only a week to go, the Yorkshire-native actress, 24, was revealed on Monday to be jetting off to Mallorca to take part in the ITV2 reality show.
But her connections to the villa stem back much earlier.
In October 2021, a beaming Molly shared a photo alongside Molly-Mae Hague at one of her Beauty Works events.
Connected: Molly Marsh, Love Island’s latest singleton, had plenty of links to the ITV2 show beforehand – including partying it up with former contestant Molly-Mae Hague
Exciting: With only a week to go, the Yorkshire-native actress, 24, was revealed on Monday to be jetting off to Mallorca to take part in the ITV 2 reality show
The pair appear extremely comfortable together as they cosy up for a picture.
Posting the snap to her Instagram, she wrote at the time: Feel so grateful to have attended the most amazing event last night! @mollymae’.
Only a few months later in January 2022, Molly was once again partying it up with more Islanders, including Maura Higgins and season six’s Siannese Fudge.
After meeting at what appears to be a Christmas party, the new contestant took to her Instagram to share the snaps, penning: ‘Camera roll photo dump of me being overly happy to meet these gorgeous people!!!’
Molly looked gorgeous for the big night, opting for a green mini dress and oversized leather jacket.
Towards the beginning of June 2022, Molly began to catch the eye of ITV, who subsequently invited her out to Mallorca for a tour of the villa ahead of the series.
As part of the ad partnership, she filmed a YouTube video, featuring a full villa tour and Love Island ‘secrets’.
She wrote: ‘WOW✈️I had the most AMAZING TRIP to see inside the brand new love island villa with @itv2 @loveisland | PS: I’m not going on the show! AD’
Gorgeous: Only a few months later in January 2022, Molly was once again partying it up with more Islanders, including Maura Higgins (pictured) and season six’s Siannese Fudge
Happy: After meeting at what appears to be a Christmas party, the new contestant took to her Instagram to share the snaps, penning: ‘Camera roll photo dump of me being overly happy to meet these gorgeous people!!!’ (pictured with Siannese Fudge)
Tour: Towards the beginning of June 2022, Molly began to catch the eye of ITV, who subsequently invited her out to Mallorca for a tour of the villa ahead of the series
Friends: Commenting on one of her posts advertising the trip at the time, Love Island season eight contestant Tasha Ghouri left a love heart emoji
Commenting on one of her posts advertising the trip at the time, Love Island season eight contestant Tasha Ghouri left a love heart emoji.
Tasha would go on only a few days later to join the show and finish in fourth place with her boyfriend Andrew Le Page.
Molly already boasts a whopping 26k followers on Instagram while her mum Janet has enjoyed roles in a string of British soaps.
Since growing her following, she has done plenty of brand partnerships with ITV.
Towards the end of June she got together with another former Islander – Olivia Attwood – to do a special ‘quick fire questions’ to promote her series Getting Filthy Rich.
The star was also invited out to South Africa for another special tour of the grounds ahead of the 2023 winter series launch.
She’s thought to have caught the producers’ eyes after taking a tour of the winter villa in January.
Her grid on the photosharing platform is littered with snaps from her trip to the South African mansion, including in the beach hut and fire pit.
A source told The Sun: ‘Molly was scouted after visiting the villa in South Africa earlier this year. She was on the tour as an invited guest when she caught the eyes of producers.
Work: Towards the end of June she got together with another former Islander – Olivia Attwood – to do a special ‘quick fire questions’ to promote her series Getting Filthy Rich
And again! The star was also invited out to South Africa for another special tour of the grounds ahead of the 2023 winter series launch
Way in? She’s thought to have caught the producers’ eyes after taking a tour of the winter villa in January
‘Molly made it clear she would love to be a part of Love Island and she was told to audition. After going through the process, she’s now a shoo-in to fly to Mallorca later this month.
‘She is a star on the rise and comes from a showbiz family — her mum Janet even had small roles on Coronation Street and Still Open All Hours. Molly has made it clear she’s got what it takes to make a bang and ITV love her.’
It’s believed Molly has bagged roles in national tours of Oliver! and Sleeping Beauty before trying her luck on the small screen.
Molly said of her claims to fame: ‘With my job being in social media, I’ve had some amazing opportunities to go on press trips and I’ve actually been out to the Love Island Villas in Mallorca and South Africa…
‘Having the experience to walk around both was amazing but to now actually live in the Villa is going to be incredible.’
Joining Molly in the villa this summer is beautician Ruchee Gurung, 24, from Sutton and semi-pro footballer Tyrique Hyde, 24, from Essex.
Following on from the duo are George Fensom, 24, a Business Development Executive from Bedford and ‘fun, flirty and chatty’ Catherine Agbaje, 22, a Commercial Real Estate Agent haling from Dublin.
Upping the hunk factor on the show is French model Mehdi Edno, 26, who producers are said to be will be the next Davide Sancliment, while Glaswegian model Ella Thomas 23, is also set to bring her award-winning looks to the villa.
The next contenders for love include gas engineer Michel Taylor, 26, from Sheffield, London-native Jess Harding, 22, who is an Aesthetics Practitioner and economics graduate and clothing brand entrepreneur Andre Furtado, 21, from Dudley.
The list of confirmed Islanders set to join the show, with the group all changing their social media bios to read: ‘I’m off to find love in the @loveisland villa!’
MEET THE ISLANDERS
Ruchee Gurung
NAME: Ruchee Gurung
AGE: 24
FROM: Sutton
OCCUPATION: Beautician
WHY ENTER THE VILLA? I’m single and looking for love, and it’s the perfect opportunity for me to find someone. I’m a relationship kind of girl, but so far it’s not worked out for me.
WHY DATE ME? I’m really caring, when I’m with someone I’m all about them. I’m also really loyal and love doing nice things for the people that are special to me. My love language is gift giving, so I’m a real giver when it comes to relationships
Tyrique Hyde
NAME: Tyrique Hyde
AGE: 24
FROM: Essex
OCCUPATION: Footballer
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I’ll bring vibes, confidence, good energy and honesty. I don’t sit on the fence, if I have an opinion I will speak up. I’m also not afraid to go after what I want
CLAIM T0 FAME? Toby Aromolaran is one of my best friends, we grew up together and were in the same class at school
Molly Marsh
NAME: Molly Marsh
AGE: 24
FROM: Yorkshire
OCCUPATION: Actress
WHY LOVE ISLAND AND WHY NOW? I think it’s ideal timing and the perfect way to find someone.
I don’t go out and party and I don’t use dating apps, I’m actually quite old-fashioned, so there’s no better way to meet someone than by going into a Villa in the sun with the potential ‘one’ in there.
George Fensom
NAME: George Fensom
AGE: 24
FROM: Bedford
OCCUPATION: Business Development Executive
HOW WOULD YOUR FAMILY DESCRIBE YOU? I’m the first person to bring the vibe up, I’m always dancing, I’m always the one who wants to go out. My go-to dance move is what I call the Dad Dance, I’m gonna bring dad jokes and dad dancing to the Villa.’
Catherine Agbaje
NAME: Catherine Agbaje
AGE: 22
FROM: Dublin
OCCUPATION: Commercial Real Estate Agent
HOW WOULD FAMILY AND FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU? Someone who is fun and a loving character. They know I have so much love to give.
I’m always smiling, I’m always happy, I’m always laughing. You’ll always see me with a smile on my face.’
Mehdi Edno
NAME: Mehdi Edno
AGE: 26
FROM: Bordeaux/London
OCCUPATION: Communications Manager/Model
ARE YOU READY TO FIND THE ONE? Yes. I’ve been busy for the last few years with work, and doing my Masters degree but now I’m done with the busy schedule, and ready to find love.
THREE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO HAVE IN A PARTNER? Looks are important but they aren’t everything, a good sense of humour and someone who is outgoing and up for an adventure is what I’m looking for.
NAME: Ella Thomas
AGE: 23
FROM: Glasgow
OCCUPATION: Model
WHAT’S YOUR CLAIM TO FAME? I’ve been in a Headie One and Burna Burna Boy music video and I was once an extra in World War Z. I was 12 years old when I filmed it and got to meet Brad Pitt which was cool.
WHY SHOULD SOMEBODY DATE YOU? I’m the whole package, I know what I want in life and I’ve got a big heart.
Mitchel Taylor
NAME: Mitchel Taylor
AGE: 26
FROM: Sheffield
OCCUPATION: Gas engineer
WHY SHOULD SOMEBODY DATE YOU? I thrive on being a gentleman. I’ll shower you with flowers, I’ll take you on dates, I’ll fill your bedside drawer with your favourite sweets and chocolate. I’ve been single, I’ve had my fun and now I want to settle down.
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? I’m just really picky. I’ve got to find the girl that I want to marry and have kids with. I’m nearly 27, I don’t want to play the field anymore, I want to find the one.
Jess Harding
NAME: Jess Harding
AGE: 22
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Aesthetics Practitioner
WHY ARE YOU SINGLE? Because every boy is giving me the ick at the moment. I feel like it’s fate because I’m saving myself for Mr Right in the Villa!
WHAT GIVES YOU THE ICK? When a guy stunts for money, that’s an ick. Showing off all their designer clothes because most of the time they’re probably fake anyway! Another one is when a boy runs for the train and the train goes without him. Lunch Boxes also – just go to Tesco and get a meal deal!
Andre Furtado
NAME: Andre Furtado
AGE: 21
FROM: Dudley
OCCUPATION: Economics graduate and clothing brand entrepreneur
WHAT WILL YOU BRING TO THE VILLA? I’m charming, I’m going to bring good looks and some language lessons. I’m going to teach the other Islanders Portuguese, Spanish and a little bit of Creole. I think I’ve got every slice of the pie.
DO YOU FALL IN LOVE QUICKLY? I would say I fall too quickly to be honest. When I look at beautiful ladies, before I’ve said hello to them I’ve already fallen in love. I’m already planning the wedding.