Move over Love Island 2019 – our favourite telly show is about to return to our screens sooner than we thought possible, thanks to its Christmas reunion special.

Because nothing says festive cheer quite like a bunch of reality stars busting out cheesy Chrimbo jumpers and airing their dirty laundry, metaphorically speaking, in front of the tree.

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ITV

Related: Love Island winner Dani Dyer explains split from Jack Fincham as they reunite

While some of Love Island's biggest names were confirmed from the get-go (Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer, it just wouldn't be the same without you), there were a few personalities whose invites seem to have got lost in the Christmas post. Cue bitchy comment about the Royal Mail...

Of course, with bombshell islanders being thrown in left, right and centre to test the relationships on the show, it would be hard to get everyone together. Remember Idris, Kieran and Dean?

Kieran Nicholls, Alex George, Idris Virgo, Love Island 2018, Day 40, recouplingpinterest
ITV

No, we don't blame you...

What to Read Next

But out of the names we might have expected to see make a comeback, here's who won't be rejoining their former islanders for some festive fun.

Josh Denzel

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ITV

Apparently, all is well in paradise for Josh and Kaz Crossley – despite the fact that he's leaving his girlfriend to attend the reunion show on her lonesome.

Cast your minds back to the summer of '18 (we know, it feels like an age ago) and you should recall that these two went through a hella lot of drama in order to couple up.

Thing was, Josh was cracking on with "loyal" Georgia Steel at the point that Kaz came crashing into town. Of course, it all worked out in the end – for Josh, at least – as his puppy dog love saw him through to the season's final.

But when news of the Christmas reunion reached fan's ears, Josh's missing name didn't escape their notice. Many started questioning whether this particular Love Island romance had suffered the 'back to reality' curse.

But an ITV rep soon cleared that up, revealing that he was simply away in the US at the time of filming.

Niall Aslam

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ITV

Loveable Niall was the colourful rainbow fish that we saw going all the way through to the final, whether he found love or not. Fans of the show felt the same, so there was an outcry when it was announced that he had decided to quit villa life.

It seems that his early popularity wasn't enough to earn him a spot on the Christmas special though, and it appears that he's none too happy about it. So much so, in fact, that he recently took to Instagram to call out show bosses.

Related: Love Island's Niall Aslam reveals he has Asperger syndrome as he breaks silence over exit

Having Photoshopped himself into the official press picture (awkward), he wrote: "The postman is really having my pants down, first of all my acceptance letter to Hogwarts didn’t come and now my invite to the Christmas reunion. anyone else been having problems @royalmailofficial."

That dastardly Royal Mail again.

Rosie Williams

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ITV

Rosie had girls across the country screaming "YAS!" at their screens when she confronted Adam Collard over his behaviour. But the sass queen doesn't appear to be on the line-up for the Christmas reunion, and there's no clear reason why.

Reports have been speculating that the decision has something to do with the very public nature of this on-screen break-up, but with no word from either Rosie or ITV, we're just not sure.

One thing we do know is that, according to Instagram, Rosie is all loved-up with a new beau these days – so perhaps she just wants to steer clear of any further drama, and focus on that instead?

Jack Fowler

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ITV

A latecomer to the 2018 series, Jack still managed to become one of the most talked-about characters. In fairness, this was mainly down to his did-they-didn't-they kiss with Georgia Steel, which proceeded to be analysed by the world's press from every possible camera angle for weeks on end.

But while Georgia has bagged herself an invitation to the Love Island reunion, Jack's been left out in the cold.

The former islander has been retweeting angry messages from fans, all calling for him to be included. "Just throw this entire reunion in the bin if @_JackFowler_ isn’t going to be there tbh," one tweet read.

Yikes.

Laura Crane

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ITV

One of the last to enter the villa, it's probably not all that surprising that Laura hasn't made the guest list.

She coupled-up with Jack Fowler after he'd decided that his relationship with Laura Anderson wasn't quite working out for him, but the pair didn't stay together for long once back in the UK.

Laura has been sharing Instagram snaps from all sorts of incredible locations recently, so perhaps she was simply too busy for a reunion...

Darylle Sargeant

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ITV

Darylle was the final girl to get caught up with series villain Adam Collard before he decided that, actually, he quite liked Zara McDermott, thank you very much.

Since the show ended, rumours have been circling that she may have been dating Dancing on Ice winner Jake Quickenden, but that seems to have fizzled out now.

Darylle hasn't commented on the Love Island reunion show, but it could have been awkward for her to come face-to-face with a still suitably loved-up Adam and Zara.

Alex Miller

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ITV

This cheeky chappy pulled out all the stops in his efforts to woo Megan Barton Hanson, but then became particularly vocal in speaking out against her when she (eventually) chose to stick with Wes Nelson – a move that lost him his place in the villa. Sour grapes, perhaps?

There were whispers of a flirtationship with Alexandra Cane, who will be at the reunion, but that doesn't seem to have amounted to anything... Or did it? We guess we'll have to tune in to hear it from her.

Ellie Jones

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ITV


Ellie's arrival to Casa Amor felt like little more than an opportunity to try and rock the Jack and Dani boat.

Jack's former flame did end up leaving Danny Dyer's daughter in tears (we'd be scared, too), which ended up sparking an outcry to Ofcom.

But apart from this moment, and telling Dani that her new boyfriend had a poster of her dad in his bedroom, Ellie didn't really do much on the ITV2 show. So is it any wonder that she isn't going to be back for the Christmas special? Probably not.

Frankie Foster

Love Island stars Samira Mighty and Frankie Fosterpinterest
ITV

We may have all been clapping and cheering at our telly screens when Samira left the villa to get the boy, but her romance with Frankie Foster didn't last too long on the outside.

Sadly, the pair ended up calling time on their romance amid rumours that Frankie had spent a night in a bedroom with another woman just hours before reuniting with his Love Island beau – later followed by accusations that he'd been caught on camera kissing another woman.

A representative for Frankie said at the time (via The Sun): "Frankie wholeheartedly knows that his actions were not acceptable and has apologised to Samira."

Probably best that they won't be in the same room then...

Love Island: The Christmas Reunion airs on ITV2 on December 17 at 9pm.


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Headshot of Laura Jane Turner

TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those.  Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK's biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations.  As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world's oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending). 

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