Harry Cooksley = Tom Clare
Love Island fans were left in anticipation on Tuesday morning as the 2025 Islanders were finally unveiled by ITV.
With the show kickstarting on Monday, June 9, viewers were eager to get a first glimpse at the stars who will be the first to enter the villa.
Yet anticipation soon turned to disappointment as fans were quick to point out one major issue with the casting.
Love Island producers – who have long been accused of lacking diversity in their casting – seemed to be sticking to ‘their type on paper’ as they opted for new stars who bear striking resemblance to past contestants.
Taking to social media, bemused fans penned: ‘Why do the always pick people that look like ex islanders’; ‘they all looks the same as past contestants ahahahahhahaha’; ‘Let’s guess… alot of clones again from other series ???’
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Harry Cooksley = Tom Clare
Fans were left doing a double take when Harry Cooksley (left) was unveiled as the final Islander of the 2025 series, with many commenting that they had mistaken him for Tom Clare
Fans were left doing a double take when Harry Cooksley was unveiled as the final Islander of the 2025 series, with many commenting that they had mistaken him for Tom Clare.
In a spooky coincidence, Harry, 29, and Tom, 25, don’t just have their rugged good looks in common, but their careers too – with both working as semi-professional footballers.
Harry plays for Farnham Town as a midfielder, while Tom plays as a Forward for Macclesfield.
It’s yet to be seen, however, if Harry will have the same pulling power as Tom when he enters the villa.
Tom first appeared on the show in 2023, when he finished in third place with ex Samie Elishi.
Things didn’t work out between the pair, however, so the following year he starred on Love Island: All Stars, where he won the show with girlfriend Molly Smith.
Helena Ford = Danielle Sellers
Both the epitome of a blonde bombshells with their long, flowing curls and striking features, Helena Ford (left) could be mistaken for Danielle Sellers
Both the epitome of a blonde bombshells with their long, flowing curls and striking features, Helena Ford could be mistaken for Danielle Sellers.
Helena, 29, does already have a connection to the villa, as a friend of show favourite Zara McDermott.
The new Islander works as cabin crew and a travel influencer as well as jetting around the world in her day job, while she has 4,903 Insta followers.
Danielle, 30, is also prolific on social media, with the former Page 3 model running a food account on Instagram named Delicious Danielle.
The model first took part in the third series of Love Island in 2017 before appearing on Love Island: All Stars earlier this year.
Blu Chegini = Ron Hall
You would be forgiven for thinking you’d seen Blu Chegini (left) before, because he bears a striking resemblance to Ron Hall
You would be forgiven for thinking you’d seen Blu Chegini before, because he bears a striking resemblance to Ron Hall.
Blu, 26, who works as a construction project manager after graduating from Oxford Brookes in 2023, is among the starting line-up on the show.
While Blu didn’t mention what he finds attractive about a woman aesthetically, he noted that ‘personality goes a long way’ for him.
Revealing he can charm the ladies in two languages, Blu said: ‘She’d fire me, but I’ve got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting!’
Ron, 27, was runner-up of the ninth series of Love Island with Lana Jenkins and also appeared on Love Island: All Stars the following year.
He made history as the first blind contestant to appear on the show, having lost his vision in one eye after a football injury as a child.
Shakira Khan = Abi Moores
With their captivating gaze and warm smile, one of the only similarities Shakira Khan (left) and Abi Moores don’t share is their hair colour
With their captivating gaze and warm smile, one of the only similarities Shakira Khan and Abi Moores don’t share is their hair colour.
Stunning Shakira’s page is filled with picturesque travel snaps from Haiti, Dubai and New York – and she’s not afraid of modelling a ʙικιɴι.
Discussing her current love life, Shakira, 22, said: ‘It’s a busy love life but I’ve not found ‘the husband’. I’m looking for “the one”. I’m looking for the ring.’
Meanwhile Abi, 27, was unlucky-in-love in the villa when she entered as a season 10 bombshell in 2023.
The television personality found herself embroiled in a love triangle with ‘Messy’ Mitchell Taylor and Scott van-der-Sluis before she was dumped from the island.
Kyle Ashman = Toby Aromolaran
Fans were convinced Toby Aromolaran (right) was attempting to go on the show for a fourth time when Kyle Ashman was unveiled
Fans were convinced Toby Aromolaran was attempting to go on the show for a fourth time when Kyle Ashman was unveiled.
Kyle, 23, doesn’t have a strong social media presence with just one Insta pic on his profile, although he is showing off his impressive six pack.
With his ripped physique and cheeky grin, the water operative is a ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ringer for Toby.
Kyle revealed that his killer tactic for impressing the ladies is showering them with compliments.
Hopefully that will stand him in better stead than Toby – who has attempted to find The One three times now.
Toby, 26, finished in second place with Chloe Burrows on the seventh series of Love Island in 2015 and went on to appear on Love Island Games in 2023 and Love Island: All-Stars last year.
Megan Forte Clarke = Maura Higgins
Megan Forte Clarke (left) was already being dubbed a Maura Higgins lookalike when she was rumoured to be in the lineup
Megan Forte Clarke was already being dubbed a Maura Higgins lookalike when she was rumoured to be in the lineup.
The actress, 24, from Dublin, recently starred as one of the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, but she’s likely to get the pulses racing on the ITV2 show due to her sᴀssy Irish charm, which sparks further similarities to Love Island legend Maura.
Megan already has a sizeable TikTok following and the social media platform is where she makes her comparison with unlucky-in-love Bridget.
And ITV bosses are hoping that Megan can recreate some of Maura’s Irish magic on the series this year.
Maura, 34, is one of the show’s success stories, staying in the Love Island family after reaching the final with Curtis Pritchard on series five in 2019.
She went on to become the social media presenter for Love Island USA and Love Island Games, before taking her talents across the pond to present Love Island USA: Aftersun.
Alima Gagio = Yewande Biala
Scottish stunner Alima Gagio (left) has both beauty and brains, just like Yewande Biala
Scottish stunner Alima Gagio has both beauty and brains, just like Yewande Biala.
Alima, 22, has an BA Hons degree in International Business after graduating from Glasgow Caledonian University and now works as a wealth management client services executive.
She also loves to travel, sharing holiday snaps with her 2,250 followers.
Alima said she is looking for a ‘a tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That’s it.’
Yewande, 30, is also blessed in the brains department, working as an oncology vaccine specialist before she entered the villa in 2019.
Ben Holbrough = Lochan Nowacki
Tanned, toned and beaded, model Ben Holbrough (left) is a ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ringer for Lochan Nowacki
Tanned, toned and beaded, model Ben Holbrough is a ᴅᴇᴀᴅ ringer for Lochan Nowacki.
Ben, 23, who is from Gloucester, is sure to be a hit with his fellow islanders and viewers, boasting a ripped 6ft 2in physique.
Ben admitted he hasn’t been that lucky in love so far, as when asked if he was ‘bankrupt or booming in love, he said: ‘Bankrupt. I’d have been out of business a long time ago. That’s exactly why I’m here.’
Lochan, 27, made quite the impression when he entered as a bombshell in Season 10 of the show.
He ended up finishing in second place with Whitney Adebayo but the pair sadly split this year.
Megan Moore = Samantha Kenny
Bubbly blonde beauty Megan Moore (left) has been compared several times to last year’s star Samantha Kenny
Bubbly blonde beauty Megan Moore has been compared several times to last year’s star Samantha Kenny.
The influencer, 25, is another love hopeful who boasts a strong social media following.
Posting regular snaps of her travels the blonde’s next destination is Mallorca.
When she’s not sharing pH๏τos of her idyllic lifestyle, Megan works as a payroll specialist.
Samantha, 27, was unlucky-in-love when she appeared on the show last year, becoming smitten with Joey EsSєx who ultimately dumped her in favour of Jessy Potts.
Tommy Bradley = Sean Stone
Tommy Bradley (left) draws strong comparisons to ‘candy man’ Sean Stone
Tommy Bradley draws strong comparisons to ‘candy man’ Sean Stone.
The new arrival, 22, who hails from Hertfordshire, works as a landscape gardener but is taking the summer off to look for love.
He looks to have undergone a body overhaul for the show, where the contestants spend far more time parading around in their swimwear than fully clothed.
Tommy has documented his gym routine on his Instagram page and has been working out with his boxer brother Jamie.
Sweet salesman Sean, 25, reached the final of the show last year, finishing in third place alongside ex Matilda Draper.
Sophie Lee = Ruchee Gurung
Love Island fans have rejoiced at casting firebreather Sophie Lee (left) the second Islander of East Asian heritage to appear on the show after Ruchee Gurung
Love Island fans have rejoiced at casting firebreather Sophie Lee, the second Islander of East Asian heritage to appear on the show after Ruchee Gurung.
For years, viewers have called for more representation from Asian stars, and the handful who have appeared so far have hailed from South Asia.
Sophie, who is Hong Kongese, is also an inspirational figure, becoming a motivational speaker following a brush with death when she was 22.
The influencer, 29, had been working as a firebreather for 18-months before she suffered horrific burns to her face and chest during a freak accident in the United States.
Sophie has since turned to modelling and written a book about her experience. She also works with Katie Piper’s foundation, which supports people living with burns and scars.
Ruchee, 26, appeared on the show in 2023 but was sadly dumped from the island after just nine days.
Dejon Noel Williams = Omar Nyame
With his cheeky smile and stylish braids, Dejon Noel Williams (left) has more than a pᴀssing resemblance to Omar Nyame
With their cheeky smiles and stylish braids, Dejon Noel Williams has more than a pᴀssing resemblance to Omar Nyame.
Dejon, 26, plays football semi-professionally alongside his job as a personal trainer.
As well as his own experience in the sport, Dejon also comes from a footballing background as his father is ex-professional footballer Gifton Noel Williams.
Speaking on growing up around the game, he said: ‘I’ve met all kinds of famous people through him… I’ve met David Beckham, he was really nice.’
P.E teacher Omar, 26, also has famous connections as he is a close friend of the rapper Stormzy.
Omar first appeared on the show last year as a bombshell before trying his luck at love once more on Love Island: All Stars in January.
So, do YOU think these Islanders lookalike? Or can you think of a better doppleganger? Let us know in the comments.
Love Island season 12 launches Monday, June 9 at 9pm on ITV and ITVX
LOVE ISLAND 2025: MEET THE CONTESTANTS 
Sophie Lee
NAME: Sophie Lee
AGE: 29
FROM: Manchester
OCCUPATION: Motivational Speaker and Author
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is fun, spontaneous, who has a lot of jokes and who is attentive. At the moment I’m only finding ones draped in red flags and ‘do not cross’ signs
IF YOU WERE THE CEO OF SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE? I’m the CEO of empowerment. I want women to feel beautiful and validated in themselves and feel their best self.
Dejon Noel Williams
NAME: Dejon Noel Williams
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Semi-pro footballer and personal trainer
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is beautiful on the inside and out, looks after themselves and is healthy
CLAIM TO FAME? My dad being an ex-professional footballer. I’ve met all kinds of famous people through him. When I was younger it was weird because he was just my dad, but we’d go to a game and fans were asking for pH๏τos. I’ve met David Beckham, he was really nice.
Megan Moore
NAME: Megan Moore
AGE: 25
FROM: Southampton
OCCUPATION: Payroll specialist
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? I’d like to meet someone who is tall, with a nice tan, nice eyes and a nice smile. He needs to have a good fashion sense and a really good, funny personality that I can get on with
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt, right now. But we’re going to make sales and get on that corporate ladder and be booming. Profits, profits, profits!
Tommy Bradley
NAME: Tommy Bradley
AGE: 22
FROM: Hertfordshire
OCCUPATION: Landscape Gardener
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A girl who is very ambitious, with a big personality, caring, but also someone that doesn’t take themselves too seriously. I don’t know if that’s asking for too much, but I want a bit of everything. I haven’t got a specific type in terms of looks, though.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE CEO OF? Taking hours to do my hair
Alima Gagio
NAME: Alima Gagio
AGE: 23
FROM: Glasgow
OCCUPATION: Wealth Management Client Services Executive
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That’s it
WOULD MAYA HIER YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I think she’d hire me because I’m a good flirt. I always ask guys on a night out to guess which country I’m originally from. If they get it right, they can get my number.
But they never guess correctly so it works really well if you don’t want to give a guy your number. I’m originally from Guinea Bissau. If they’re close and I really fancy them, I’ll give them my number anyway.
Ben Holbrough
NAME: Ben Holbrough
AGE: 23
FROM: Gloucester
OCCUPATION: Private Hire Taxi driver
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? A tall man with a handsome face. You know when you just look at a guy and they have that Disney prince look to them? That’s it
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Bankrupt. I’d have been out of business a long time ago. That’s exactly why I’m here.
Helena Ford
NAME: Helena Ford
AGE: 29
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Cabin Crew
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Somebody funny or Northern. I feel like Northern people have much more banter than Southerners. If you look through my previous dating history, you’ll see I clearly go for personality. You can pretty much laugh me into bed.
WOULD MAYA HIER YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I would say hire but then quickly fire soon after. It would only be a temporary contract.
Kyle Ashman
NAME: Kyle Ashman
AGE: 23
FROM: Stafford
OCCUPATION: Water operative
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone that’s fun, confident and just themselves.
WOULD MAYA HIER YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? I’d say I’d be hired. I just go with it, find something to compliment a girl on and go from there.
Megan Moore
NAME: Megan Moore
AGE: 24
FROM: Dublin
OCCUPATION: Musical theatre performer and energy broker
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously and has a sense of humour. If they’re not bad looking, that’s always a plus.
I love a boy that’s a bit pasty, like Timothé e Chalamet. I don’t mind scrawny, or a bit of a ‘dad bod’. I’m 5ft1 so any height really.
CLAIM TO FAME? Me and my friends made a Derry Girls TikTok for Halloween and it went a bit viral around Brighton.
Sometimes I get stopped in the street about it. I’ve also done Panto.
Blu Chegini
NAME: Blu Chegini
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Someone who is family oriented, has a lot of love to give and a lot of love to receive. Personality goes a long way.
WOULD MAYA HIER YOU FOR YOUR FLIRTING SKILLS? She’d fire me, but I’ve got the charm to smooth things over with a girl. The fact I speak fluent Spanish comes in handy when it comes to flirting!
Shakira Khan
NAME: Shakira Khan
AGE: 26
FROM: London
OCCUPATION: Construction Project Manager
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? Someone who is tall, charming, witty, with big arms, a good smile and just really funny.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR LOVE LIFE? Booming… but they’re all frogs. It’s a busy love life but I’ve not found ‘the husband’. I’m looking for ‘the one’. I’m looking for the ring.
Harry Cooksley
NAME: Harry Cooksley
AGE: 30
FROM: Guildford
OCCUPATION: Gold trader, semi-professional footballer and model
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? The girl next door that makes me laugh and can hold eye contact with me. I don’t think I’d go for the most obvious girl, I like a real sweet girl.
CLAIM TO FAME? I’m the body double for Declan Rice. So when he does a shoot, any body close ups will actually be me. You’ll never see my face, but you’ll see my shoulder or chest, that kind of thing.
