Love Island All Stars Season 3 episode 1 recap highlights: Here’s all you need to know

The premiere episode of Love Island: All Stars Season 3, on ITV2, returned the franchise to its familiar luxury villa setting in South Africa and moved quickly into high-intensity territory. Hosted by Maya Jama, the opening hour reunited 12 returning Islanders drawn from across previous UK seasons, including former winners, finalists, and contestants known for turbulent villa journeys. According to the episode broadcast and ITV2’s official synopsis, the format leaned heavily into public-voted couplings and an early kissing challenge, signaling that this All Stars installment would not follow a slow introductory arc.

Love Island All Stars Season 3 Episode 1 Recap Highlights Early Drama and Returning Rivalries

From the first villa entrances, the episode emphasized unresolved history rather than fresh starts. During initial conversations shown on ITV2, Tommy Bradley and Jess Harding acknowledged that they had exchanged friendly and flirtatious messages before filming, a revelation that introduced tension during the first round of mingling. The dynamic intensified during an icebreaker kissing challenge that required contestants to identify who they considered good or bad kissers, resulting in multiple pairings within minutes. The challenge produced visible jealousy and overlapping interests, prompting Maya Jama to step in on-screen to restore order as the group reacted to the rapid-fire format.

The episode’s most talked-about moment followed the arrival of bombshell Scott van-der-Sluis, whose return marked another chapter in his Love Island journey. As shown in the broadcast, Scott immediately confronted Sean Stone, referencing Sean’s past on-screen behavior from earlier seasons and framing it critically. The exchange escalated quickly, leading Jama to intervene and de-escalate the situation.

Scott van-der-Sluis Return Sparks Conversation About Repeat Love Island Appearances

Scott van-der-Sluis’s appearance on All Stars Season 3 represents his fourth time participating in the wider Love Island franchise, following previous stints in the UK, U.S., and international spin-off editions. This context, widely discussed in verified online episode discussions, became a focal point of viewer commentary after the premiere. Some audience members highlighted his straightforward communication style during Episode 1, while others questioned how repeat appearances shape the authenticity of returning Islanders. The contrast between Scott’s confidence and Sean Stone’s reaction positioned their rivalry as an early narrative thread.