Love Island bombshell ruffles feathers after his surprise arrival

Love Island bombshell Tom Clare has ruffled feathers among the male islanders following his surprise arrival at the villa in South Africa on Monday evening.

The 23-year-old semi-pro footballer from Barnsley was introduced to his fellow islanders by host Maya Jama during the first episode of the ITV2 dating show’s ninth series.

Tuesday night’s episode sees Tom head to the fire pit with the five female islanders, as the boys are left feeling “vulnerable”.

While Tom receives the girls’ undivided attention, Ron Hall, a 25-year-old financial adviser and the show’s first visually impaired contestant, says: “That’s a bit of a shock isn’t it?”

PE and science teacher Kai, 24, adds: “We’re vulnerable now boys, we’re vulnerable, he’s a good-looking lad.”

As concerns grow among the boys, Tom gets to know the girls at the fire pit, where he asks: “How are you guys in your couples?”

To which 22-year-old biomedical student Tanya Manhenga, who is currently coupled up with airport security officer Shaq Muhammad, replies: “Everyone is still getting to know each other.”

Before adding: “How tall are you?” to which Tom says: “6’5, I like to be the little spoon though…”

Ahead of his shock entrance – which was voted for by the public – Tom revealed he was joining the show full of confidence, saying: “If there’s a girl I want and she is coupled up, nine times out of 10 I will get her.”

After delivering the news of Tom’s arrival, Jama warned the male islanders: “In 24 hours Tom will get the chance to couple up with the girl of his choice, leaving one of you single and your place on the island at risk.

“I suggest you boys get grafting and hold on tight to your girls.”

Elsewhere in Tuesday evening’s episode, the islanders take part in the first challenge of the new series, which sees them air their dirty laundry.

As the girls go head to head with the boys, the challenge sees each islander slide into a pool of foam where hidden props will offer them clues and a giant pair of underwear will reveal a secret.

Following the revelation, the player will have to snog the islander they think the secret relates to, and if they guess correctly they win a point for their team.

The revelations include making a catfish account to stalk a man and later getting caught, and one boy’s special talent is pulling older women.

Tuesday’s show will also see the islanders play a game of dares, during which new bombshell Tom is dared to kiss the three girls he fancies the most and 26-year-old hairstylist Tanyel Revan ends up in a dance-off with farmer and TikTok star Will Young, 23.

The new series is the show’s first winter series since before the coronavirus pandemic.

It will also see Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson and former Love Island finalist Indiyah Polack join as regular panellists on Love Island’s Aftersun programme.

Love Island airs at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.