A FORMER Bradford City and Park Avenue striker is set to face competition as he battles to maintain his coupling on Love Island.

The winter series of the popular ITV2 dating programme, set in South Africa, began earlier this week.

Tom Clare, 23, who played for Avenue during the 2019-20 season and was on the books at the Bantams, arrived as a 'bombshell' at the end of the opening episode.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Clare is coupled up with Olivia HawkinsClare is coupled up with Olivia Hawkins (Image: ITV)

Tuesday's showing finished with the shock announcement that Clare would be pairing up with Olivia Hawkins, leaving pal Will Young single.

It meant the footballer would be sharing a bed with Olivia that night so he decided to get to know her beforehand.

Despite admitting fellow Islander Lana Jenkins was more his type, Clare had "no regrets" in picking Olivia.

The following day, 21-year-old Haris Namani pulled the Brighton native aside for a chat.

Olivia was clear to say Clare's looks were growing on her but Haris was more her type.

She went on to say that 23-year-old Tom was more mature and thought both boys had different personalities.

Last night's episode also saw the arrival of more 'bombshells' in the form of Zara Lackenby-Brown and David Salako.