Love Island 2023: How does Casa Amor work for the new contestants?

Charlotte Manning

Published February 14, 2023 11:48am Updated February 14, 2023 12:32pm

Winter Love Island 2023 is underway, and it’s time for the long-awaited Casa Amor section.

Casa Amor has been part of Love Island since series three back in 2017, which acts as the ultimate obstacle for existing couples in the villa to overcome.

It also gives those Islanders who are currently single – or not so smitten in their current couple – the chance to find a potential new love.

On the episode airing Sunday, February 12, fans saw the girls whisked off to Casa Amor, where they were introduced to six new boys, including series eight star Dami Hope’s pal Martin Akinola.

And it wasn’t long until Olivia Hawkins was distracted enough to briefly forget partner Kai Fagan’s name…

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Meanwhile, the existing boys stayed put in the villa, but were soon joined by six more new arrivals, including Layla Al-Momani, who has a famous ex, and Dubai-based Sammy James.

So, now it’s all about to kick off, how exactly does Casa Amor work? And are there rules?

What are the rules for Casa Amor contestants?

Each year, since 2017, Love Island has drafted in several new contestants around the midpoint of the programme, in order to spice things up a bit.

It puts existing relationships to the test, while also giving single Islanders an opportunity to get to know some new people.

Martin Akinola, Frankie Davey Ryan Weekley, Kain Reed, Maxwell Samuda and Bayley Mummery arrive at Casa Amor. 'Love Island' TV show, Series 9, Episode 28, South Africa - 12 Feb 2023 Shaq Can?t Shake Tanya?s Comparison Will, Jessie, Casey and Claudia have a Double Breakfast Date the Girls Get a Text Casa Amor Returns — Six boys have arrived to Casa Amor – along with six new girls (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

There’s plenty of temptation for the Islanders in Casa Amor (Picture: ITV)

This year, the girls have been sent to Casa Amor, which is a spin-off of the main villa used solely while the dramatic shake-up occurs.

Six new boys enter as bombshells to Casa Amor, while six new girls will get to know the guys in the main villa.

Over the next few days, the remaining Islanders can see if they’ve started to develop a connection with one of the new arrivals – or decide to stay loyal to their existing pairing.

The show’s producers often tease the original Islanders by sending over postcards showing either the boys or girls, in compromising positions with new Islanders.

At the end of the experience, existing contestants decide whether they want to stay in their current couples, or crack on with someone new, and bring them into the main villa.

Those new Islanders who are not picked will then be dumped from the island straight after.

However, if someone recouples but their partner doesn’t, then their existing partner automatically becomes single, and is at risk of being sent home.

So, there will be a pretty intense few days to come, but will any of the boys or girls have their heads turned? Only time will tell…