Love Island bosses have 'signed their first ever partially-sighted contestant,' according to a new report on Saturday. 

Ron Hall, 26, is said to be amongst the next set of hopefuls heading to South Africa to look for love when the latest series kicks off later this month. 

The keen golfer and boxer, is hoping to 'raise awareness and help others by discussing' his disability on screen, according to The Sun.

A source told the publication: 'The casting team are excited by the signing. It’s a really positive move to have more diversity on-screen, especially as there are so few blind people on telly.

'Ron is great guy, he’s got loads of mates and is sports mad, he loves golf and has recently taken up boxing.

'He's also really open about his disability and is hoping to raise awareness and help others by discussing it on screen.'

An ITV representative told MailOnline: 'This is purely speculation and our line-up will be announced in due course.' 

It comes after the first singleton heading to the Love Island villa for the upcoming winter series was reportedly revealed as Boohoo model Tanya Manhenga.

According to The Sun, the biomedical science student, 22, is among the next crop of hopefuls heading to South Africa to look for love.

Alongside her degree, Tanya has worked with brands including Ego and Simmi shoes and she is already represented by the talent agency Muse.

Perhaps hinting at her upcoming TV appearance, Tanya captioned her Christmas Eve post with: 'The calm before the storm'. 

The ninth series will be hosted for the first time by Maya Jama, after Laura Whitmore stepped down from the position following former presenter Caroline Flack's tragic death in 2020.  

The villa was revealed last month, with sources telling MailOnline the South African manor is the 'best villa' yet, boasting stunning mountain views and is nestled away in the country's 'millionaire row'.