Strictly Come Dancing star joins cast of Love Island 2026 as fans 'obsessed'
The crossover we never knew we needed!
Love Island 2026 starts next week (June 1) and among those on the line-up is a pro dancer who was once part of the ensemble cast of Strictly Come Dancing.
Back in 2024, Sarah Hadland performed a Charleston to the song Popular from Wicked. And, as well as partner Vito Coppola, she was surrounded by backing dancers.
Now, one of those backing dancers is set to appear on Love Island 2026.
Love Island 2026 star appears on Strictly
In the crossover we never knew we needed, West End performer Ope Sowande – who performed with Sarah and Vito on Strictly – is among those heading into Maya Jama’s Majorcan villa for the summer.
Ope, 27, hails from Lincolnshire and appeared on Strictly with Sarah and Vito on the 2024 Musicals Week special.
He said in a caption of a post shared to social media: “Dope time dancing on @bbcstrictly.”
Ope also appeared on the finale of Saturday Night Takeaway, dancing with Ashley Roberts and Oti Mabuse, that same year.
Now, it seems his snake hips are already promising to bring in the viewers for the ITV2 series ahead of its launch.
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‘Obsessed’ with Ope
One fan of the ITV2 dating show said they were “obsessed” with Ope joining the cast of Love Island 2026.
“Obsessed with the fact he was a backing dancer for Sarah Hadland’s Charleston on Strictly,” they said, sharing a pic on Twitter.
Another responded: “I fear I have no choice but to root for this man.” A third agreed and said: “Okay, so I want him to win.”
And another declared they’d be watching just for Ope. “I kind of want to watch this season because of this man.”
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