Love Island’s Ovie Soko is still single, almost two years on from his stint on the show and fans are begging ITV executives to bring the hunk back into the villa.
The basketball player, 30, appeared on season five in 2019 and had a short-lived romance with model India Reynolds, which ended four months after the dating series concluded.
And MailOnline can reveal that Ovie remains an eligible bachelor after failing to find love throughout the pandemic.
‘I just want him back’: Love Island’s beloved Ovie Soko is still single, almost two years on from his stint on the show as fans bed ITV executives to bring the hunk back into the villa
In the wake of the 2021 season, which first aired on Monday, Love Island fans took to social media in their droves to call for an Ovie comeback.
One user commented: ‘No one does it quite like this guy. BRING BACK OVIE! #LoveIsland.’
Another Love Island fan remarked: ‘They really need to bring in guys like Tommy, finn or Ovie in to the villa tjis year #LoveIsland #season7.’
A third wrote: ‘Something about this years cast just ain’t hitting. Ovie had more spice than than everyone in this years villa combined #LoveIsland.’
Surprising: MailOnline can exclusively reveal that the basketball player, 30, remains an eligible bachelor after failing to find love throughout the pandemic
Former flame: Ovie appeared on season five in 2019 and had a short-lived romance with model India Reynolds, which ended four months after the dating series concluded
A fourth gushed: ‘None of the lads will ever live up to Ovie #LoveIsland,’ and a fifth fan declared: ‘No man on Love Island can ever top Ovie.’
Another Twitter user typed: ‘I just want Ovie back on our screens #LoveIsland.’
Love Island fans took to social media in their legions once more on Monday evening to react to the first episode of season seven.
However, reaction to the launch proved mixed as many found the show ‘dry’ while others were pining for series five contestant Ovie.
The episode saw five girls and five guys couple up before the bombshell arrival of Chloe Burrows was teased at the end of the episode.
On the market: In the wake of the 2021 season, which first aired on Monday, Love Island fans took to social media in their droves to call for an Ovie comeback
It seemed that some viewers couldn’t help but feel nostalgia for some of their favourite contestants from series past throughout the launch.
One viewer said: ‘So what time is Ovie arriving?’ while another added: ‘None of the lads will ever live up to Ovie.’
A third fan wrote: ‘Tbh Ovie was the best thing to happen to #LoveIsland’ while another simply said they were ‘missing’ him.
Meanwhile, many fans said they weren’t impressed with the banter on offer among the islanders so far, labelling the episode ‘dry’.
One viewer said: ‘Omg this season is so dry so far. No peng things. No banter. Nothing.’
Another added: ‘This #LoveIsland cast looks dry. They need to bring in some new people. Immediately.’
Another fan wrote: ‘I know it’s only the first episode but these chats are so DRY’.
Unimpressed: Many fans said they weren’t impressed with the banter on offer among the new islanders so far, labelling the episode ‘dry’
LOVE ISLAND 2021: MEET THE COUPLES
Liberty and Jake
Coupled up: Liberty and Jake formed the first couple on the 2021 series of Love Island
Name: Liberty Poole
Age: 21
Location: Birmingham
Occupation: Nando’s Waitress and Marketing Student
Who is their type on paper? ‘So I like tall, alpha male, confident, a cheeky chappy sort of guy.
‘But obviously that’s always usually combined with player types, which is where I go wrong. So I am trying to change my ways and go for more of a nicer guy that is going to treat me right.’
Name: Jake Cornish
Age: 24
Location: Weston-super-Mare
Occupation: Water Engineer
Who is their type on paper? ‘Looks wise, always gone for blondes. But for me, the main thing is having respect and having good fun, and someone who will be loyal to you…
‘I’ve had messages from girls that have got boyfriends and husbands. This is why I don’t trust anyone. Someone who is loyal really. But when I’m single, I like having a good time!
Sharon and Hugo
Compatible? Sharon and Hugo also coupled up on the first show, however time will tell if they last the season
Name: Sharon Gaffka
Age: 25
Location: Oxford
Occupation: Civil Servant – Operations Lead for Department of Transport
Who is their type on paper? ‘I tend to date someone who is taller than me, even though my last long-term partner, he was actually someone who was shorter than me. ‘
Name: Hugo Hammond
Age: 24
Location: Hampshire
Occupation: PE Teacher
Who is their type on paper? ‘I’ve been single for a while now. With the current climate, it’s been really hard to get back into dating.
‘I saw it as an opportunity to have an amazing fun summer and put myself back out there.’
Kaz and Toby
Will it last? Fashion blogger Kaz and Semi-pro footballer Toby made another pair
Name: Kaz Kamwi
Age: 26
Location: Essex
Occupation: Fashion Blogger
Who is their type on paper? ‘I like meeting new people, I’m ready to be in a relationship. Why not be in a place where people are looking for the same things as me?’
Name: Toby Aromolaran
Age: 22
Location: Essex
Occupation: Semi-pro footballer
How would he describe himself? ‘Optimistic. I always see the bright side in the worst situations. I’m a fun guy when I go on a night out. Responsible guy as well.’
Faye and Brad
Instant attraction: Faye proved very popular with the hunks and Brad did not hesitate to couple up with her
Name: Faye Winter
Age: 26
Location: Devon
Occupation: Letting Manager
What is her type on paper? ‘Someone that will put me in my place. Someone that makes me laugh. But also someone that takes my banter.’
Name: Brad McClelland
Age: 26
Location: Northumberland
Occupation: Labourer
Who is their type on paper? Sommer Ray from Instagram. Zara McDermott, she’s a good-looking lass. Or Megan Fox.
Chloe and Aaron
Duo: Chloe picked Aaron to coupled up with on Wednesday’s show, sparking the first dumping from the Island with his original partner Shannon Singh being sent home
Name: Chloe Burrows
Age: 25
Location: Bicester
Occupation: Financial Services Marketing Executive
Who is their type on paper? ‘I like a good build. I go to the gym. I want someone who is funny. Really funny and caring and will do nice little things for you.
‘Because I am quite a big character and quite loud, they would have to be as loud, if not more.
‘I could never be with someone who is quiet. Someone that gives you a bit back’
Name: Aaron Francis
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: Luxury Events Host
Who is their type on paper? ‘I need someone that is passionate about what they are doing – from scientist to anything – you can tell when someone is speaking about something and they are actually smiling while they are talking. I love that.
‘I don’t like when people are doing a job just to make money and then they kind of just live for the weekend.
‘Especially because I work on the weekends.’
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