Ranking Every Season of 'Love Island UK'

Love Island UK, a reality dating series, has surpassed all expectations in terms of popularity and viewership. Over the course of 10 seasons since 2015, the show has continuously captivated its audience with an ever-growing cast of attractive young adults who fall in love, engage in dramatic conflicts, and undergo various challenges and tests.

Throughout its history, Love Island UK has created numerous compelling love stories, introduced beloved and despised contestants, and sparked memorable fights. As a result, fans frequently engage in discussions and debates about their favorite and least favorite seasons of the show. This ranking considers the entertainment value, memorability, and overall quality of each season, providing a comprehensive list of this ultimate guilty pleasure series.

10. Season 1

(2015)

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Love Island's first season had a bumpy beginning, similar to many reality shows. While it played a crucial role in launching the sensational series we know today, the initial season has not stood the test of time. This is partly due to its lower production standards and contestants' outdated views on women.

9. Season 9

Despite its redeeming qualities, including consistent drama and the popularity of islanders Jess Hayes and Hannah Elizabeth, Season 1 is ultimately marred by its toxicity and overall lower quality.

(2023)

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Season 9 of Love Island UK, often regarded as the least captivating, faced challenges primarily due to uninteresting storylines and the decision to air two seasons within a single year. Nonetheless, viewers were pleased with the victory of Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, an adorable couple from Casa Amor, marking the first time such a couple had won the show.

While the season did have its positives, such as the addition of popular host Maya Jama, it lacks the lasting impact and remembrance of other seasons of Love Island.

8. Season 7

(2021)

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Love Island's seventh season featured a strong cast, but its conclusion left much to be desired. The less captivating duo of Millie Court and Liam Reardon emerged as the winners over the wonderfully chaotic couple, Toby Aromolaran and Chloe Burrows. Furthermore, the season was marred by the absence of appropriate producer intervention during an explosive altercation. Faye Winter, although usually an entertaining presence, directed harsh words towards Teddy Soares, necessitating clear deescalation for the well-being of both parties involved.

7. Season 6

Despite not being the most disappointing season of Love Island, season 7 fell short in delivering the perfect blend of drama and escapism as it marked the first summer following the COVID-19 pandemic.

(2020)

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Season 6 of Love Island UK, also known as the 'Winter' season, marked the debut of Laura Whitmore as the host. Despite its uniqueness, the season is generally considered by fans to be relatively ordinary. The lack of intense drama and the overall harmony among the cast members were a refreshing change for some viewers, while others found it uninteresting.

Nevertheless, the season did showcase successful couples with strong chemistry, such as winners Finn Tapp and Paige Turley, as well as runners-up Siânnise Fudge and Luke Trotman. These relationships fulfilled the show's dating aspect, although it left many audience members feeling somewhat underwhelmed.

6. Season 4

(2018)

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Season 4 of Love Island UK sparked controversy and divided opinions due to the presence of contestant Megan Barton Hanson and her tumultuous relationship with Wes Nelson. Megan's captivating personality and tendency to explore other romantic connections injected consistent drama and created a dynamic shift within the series. As a result, much of the season was centered around her, highlighting the impact she had on the show.

5. Season 8

Season 4 of this reality TV show provides a captivating blend of intense drama and the beloved winning couple, Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham, who garnered an incredible 79.66% of the public vote, ensuring an immensely entertaining viewing experience.

(2022)

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Season 8 of Love Island UK was dominated by the captivating Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, who fascinated the public with their star quality, unpredictable behavior, and captivating love-hate-love journey alongside Davide Sanclimenti. Their remarkable journey earned them a well-deserved victory, securing an impressive 63.7% of the vote.

While Season 8 remains an enjoyable season with a positive reputation, it is important to acknowledge certain drawbacks. The mistreatment of contestant Tasha Ghouri by some islanders and the occasional focus on uninteresting storylines prevent it from attaining the status of Love Island's absolute best.

4. Season 3

(2017)

ITV2 released an image for Love Island season 3. The season has gained high praise from fans for its captivating challenges, the exciting addition of Casa Amor, and the undeniable chemistry between the cast members, be it romantic or platonic. Notably, contestants like Kem Centinay and Olivia Attwood have managed to maintain their popularity even after the season by successfully venturing into the world of presenting.

3. Season 10

Season 3 of Love Island UK is highly memorable, with standout moments like Kem, Chris Hughes, and Marcel Somerville's unforgettable 'Little Bit Leave It' rap. Setting the standard for the show's format in the years to come, season 3 is undeniably one of Love Island UK's finest seasons.

(2023)

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Season 10 of Love Island received overwhelmingly positive feedback from audiences, who often joked that "the producers are producing!" The season proved to be highly entertaining, thanks to a diverse and talented cast. Notable cast members included the endearing winner, Jess Harding, the uproarious Whitney Adebayo, and the witty yet sharp-tongued Scott van-der-Sluis.

What set season 10 apart from previous seasons of Love Island was the refreshing approach to conflicts. Rather than resorting to screaming matches, the cast engaged in compelling and thought-provoking discussions, creating a more pleasant atmosphere throughout the series. Although there were a few lulls in the middle of the season, overall, season 10 delivered numerous exceptional episodes and captivating storylines, solidifying its place as one of Love Island's finest seasons.

2. Season 2

(2016)

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Renowned among devoted fans, Love Island's second season was a whirlwind of drama. With heated arguments, juicy rumors, and uncensored behavior from its contestants, this season stood out for its authentic and unfiltered vibe, in contrast to the more heavily-produced later installments. Moreover, the endearing love story between winners Cara De La Hoyde and Nathan Massey captivated audiences, as their genuine affection blossomed into marriage and starting a family in the real world.

Featuring the first girl-girl couple in Sophie Gradon and Katie Salmon, the controversial removal of beauty queen Zara Holland from her 'Miss Great Britain' title due to her filmed sexual encounter, and the immediate expulsion of contestant Malia Arkian for engaging in a physical altercation shortly after her arrival, the cast of season 2 proved to be a group of participants who constantly surprised and defied expectations.

1. Season 5

(2019)

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Season 5 of Love Island UK is widely regarded as the best by fans. The cast, which included popular influencer couple Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague, the effortlessly cool Ovie Soko, and the fiery Maura Higgins, was strong. However, it was Amber Gill, the underdog who faced numerous romantic challenges, who ultimately won over the hearts of viewers.

This season is notable for featuring some of narrator Iain Stirling's funniest jokes. It strikes a perfect balance between dramatic moments and lighthearted entertainment. The character arcs are compelling, and it showcases many iconic moments from the show, such as Amy Hart's memorable takedown of Curtis Pritchard. Without a doubt, season 5 is the ultimate highlight of Love Island thus far.

Editor's P/S

In my opinion, the best season of Love Island UK was Season 3. This season had the perfect balance of drama, romance, and humor. The cast was full of memorable characters, such as Chris Hughes, Kem Cetinay, and Amber Davies. The season also produced one of the most iconic couples in Love Island history, Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt.

Another great season of Love Island UK was Season 5. This season was full of twists and turns, and the cast was very diverse. The season also produced some of the show's most popular couples, such as Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague, and Curtis Pritchard and Maura Higgins. Overall, I think Love Island UK is a great show, and I can't wait to see what future seasons bring.