For the first time in the history of the show, Love Island has been cancelled
The show’s bosses have admitted that the decision to pull the plug on the popular ITV2 show came due to them not being able to guarantee the safety of the show’s participants as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The show had been looking into a number of ways in which they could try and continue with filming the next series, one option included testing all of the contestants for COVID-19 and then rescheduling the shoot dates for later in the year.
However, following talks production talks on Thursday and Friday, it was decided that the upcoming summer series of Love Island was not going to be possible to make.
The summer series being cancelled may mean that contestants of the show will be missing out on the hottest summer since records began.
Kevin Lygo, Director of Television at ITV said on the matter:
“We have tried every which way to make Love Island this summer but logistically it’s just not possible to produce it in a way that safeguards the wellbeing of everyone involved and that for us is the priority.”
“In normal circumstances we would be preparing very soon to travel out to the location in Mallorca to get the villa ready but clearly that’s now out of the question.”
“We are very sorry for fans of the show but making it safely is our prime concern and Love Island will be back stronger than ever in 2021. In the meantime Love Island fans can still enjoy all six series of Love Island on BritBox.”
A TV insider has revealed just how much work had already gone into the upcoming the production of the upcoming summer series, that is now set to be adapted as the winter version of the show, which will air in 2021.
They explained: “A huge amount of work had already gone into this series in terms of laying out plans for the show.
“Casting had also started, with interviews on Zoom for new applicants planned to begin this week.”
“Rising stars on social media had also been tapped up by producers, who were already picking out their favourites.”
“Everything will be deferred to the winter version and everyone who was being lined up to appear in this series will be asked to see if they can appear in that series.”
“It’s a devastating blow to the entire team working on the show, as well as ITV as a whole but the safety of their contestants and anyone working on Love Island is paramount.”
Laura Whitmore, the presenter of Love Island posted a statement on twitter saying:
“because of restrictions with travel, social distancing and unable to plan ahead, Love Island is postponed until 2021”
