Redcar engineer to join Love Island cast

A heating engineer from Redcar is set to join the cast of Love Island.

Luke Mabbott, 24, from Redcar, has been been described as "newly single" and "looking for an outgoing, funny girl that can hold a conversation". He will join former Miss Newcastle Rebecca Gormley representing our region in the villa.

Luke has more than 50 tattoos and has said he is often mistaken for Justin Bieber.

Describing previous mix-ups, he said:

He has described himself as "happy", "outgoing" and "caring", he has said that he’d be immediately turned off by someone who’s really quiet.

Luke has also said that he is loyal but that he also has a wandering eye, adding that "it’s natural isn’t it?". Despite this though, he has respect for the 'bro-code':

He's also expressed an interest in fellow Islander Paige Turley, ex of singer Lewis Capaldi.

Last year, beautician Amber Gill from Gateshead was crowned the winner, with partner Greg. They received 48.8% of the public vote in the final.

It was the most-watched series so far, averaging 5.5 million viewers an episode.

The winter series, set in South Africa, is a first for the successful ITV franchise. The format of the show remains unchanged from the summer version, although now hosted by Laura Whitmore.

It follows a turbulent time for former-host Caroline Flack, 40, who stepped down from presenting the ITV2 dating show, after allegedly hitting her boyfriend over the head with a lamp, causing a serious head injury.