From soap star parents to film roles: The Love Island 2023 cast and their minor claims to fame

It’s become standard practice that Islanders these days have minor links to fame when they join the cast, and the Love Island 2023 lot have a whole host of claims between them.

This year the producers have scouted out people with famous family members, and some who have brushed shoulders with famous faces a few times in the past.

Here’s a rundown of all the Love Island 2023 cast members who have, albeit pretty minor and cringe in some cases, claims to fame before they headed into the villa.

Molly Marsh

via ITV

When Molly Marsh was announced as part of the Love Island 2023 cast, everyone was quick to notice she has multiple claims to fame. Her mum has been in Corrie, and she’s definitely no stranger to Love Island.

Molly’s mum is Janet Marsh, who has had three roles in Coronation Street. She’s been a nurse, a medical receptionist and worked in intensive care on the soap.

Molly is friends with five previous Islanders, was flirty texting Casa Amor’s Jack Keating before the show, and counts YouTubers such as Anastasia Kingsnorth among her social circle. On her Instagram, Molly’s seen hanging out with Molly-Mae, Maura, Siannise and Jourdan Riane. Last year, Molly met with Olivia Attwood and they did a “quick fire questions” series to promote Getting Filthy Rich, Olivia’s documentary series.

On top of this, Molly was already a pretty big TikToker before the show, with 600k followers on her page. She’s also appeared in the Panto!

Ella Thomas

via ITV

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Love Island definitely isn’t Ella’s first rodeo – she’s been in films and music videos, and has a connection to none other than Brad actual Pitt.

Ella’s been in a Headie One and Burna Boy music video and was once an extra in World War Z. “I was 12 years old when I filmed it and got to meet Brad Pitt which was cool,” she said.

Tyrique Hyde

via ITV

Every year it seems Love Island will cast a semi-pro footballer. This year it’s Tyrique, who already knows one of Love Island’s previous footballers. Yep, his best mate is Toby Aromolaran from 2021! Tyrique said: “Toby Aromolaran is one of my best friends, we grew up together and were in the same class at school.”

Tyrique also has a famous dad, Micah Hyde, who was also a footballer and played for Watford in the Premier League at the height of his career. Micah is now head coach for QPR under 18s.

Jess Harding

via ITV

Jess Harding is another of the Love Island 2023 cast whose claims to fame include having a bit of a famous mum. Her mum has been an extra in films, and worked as a dancer. She starred alongside not one, but two, parents of previous Islanders.

Speaking to The Sun, Jess said her mum’s “really excited” to see her on the show, and added: “She’s been in a couple of films before just as extras and background dancer so it’s a little closer to home for her. She was in The Business with Danny Dyer and Tamer Hassan.”

Danny Dyer is of course the father of Love Island 2018 winner Dani Dyer, and Tamer Hassan is the father of 2019’s Belle Hassan.

Zacharia Noble

via ITV

When Zachariah was reported as the first Love Island 2023 bombshell, it was said his sister is radio DJ and former I’m A Celeb contestant, Snoochie Shy. Casual!

Love Island 2023 is on ITV2 and ITVX. For all the latest Love Island news and gossip and for the best memes and quizzes, like The Holy Church of Love Island on Facebook. 

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