Love Island bosses are planning to host reunion specials after the summer series was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.
It is thought that some of the show’s best-loved stars will meet face-to-face once again but will this time be based in the UK.
A source told The Sun: ‘ITV were gutted about pulling the plug on Love Island. It’s one of their most popular shows and also a huge commercial success.
Good news! Love Island bosses are planning to host reunion specials after the summer series was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports
‘It just wasn’t feasible to go off to Mallorca and shoot at the villa, but this is a great way to get the show on air and give fans something to tide them over before it can return properly.
‘Hopefully, the best-remembered names will agree to take part as it would be brilliant to see how they get on a few years later after so much has gone on in their lives.
‘It could rekindle romantic feelings but it could also just start a load of old rows, especially as there have been a lot of messy break-ups and friendship changes.’
It is thought that those among the favourites to appear at the reunion will be Paige Turley, Dani Dyer, Amber Gill, Olivia Attwood, Kem Cetinay, Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague.
Reunited: It is thought that the show’s best-loved stars will meet face-to-face once again but will this time be based in the UK (pictured Paige Turley)
It comes after ITV bosses pulled the plug on the summer series of the reality show having said it was a logistical impossibility to safeguard ‘the wellbeing of everyone involved’ amid the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic.
Fans were assured the dating programme, which was due to begin filming in June, will be back ‘stronger than ever in 2021’.
Kevin Lygo, Director of Television at ITV, said at the time: ‘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.’
Cancelled: It comes after ITV bosses pulled the plug on the summer series of the reality show having said it was a logistical impossibility to safeguard ‘the wellbeing of everyone involved’ amid the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic (pictured host Laura Whitmore)
Speaking out: Love Island host Laura Whitmore weighed in on the cancellation, saying it was the right decision
Host Laura Whitmore weighed in on the cancellation, saying it was the right decision.
She tweeted: ‘Like with a lot of things because of restrictions with travel, social distancing and unable to plan ahead, Love Island is postponed until 2021.
‘Great news is that there have been more applications then any other series! Next year is going to be BIG. Stay safe.’
It was claimed that ITV2 is struggling to get insurance to be filmed in Mallorca amid the outbreak.
It was initially reported that bosses were considering asking its stars to isolate for two weeks before filming starts this summer, but without insurance production could be shut down completely.
Tried to make it work: It was initially reported that bosses were considering asking its stars to isolate for two weeks before filming starts this summer, but without insurance production could be shut down completely
A source told The Daily Star on Sunday: ‘Producers are looking at ways of making it work.
‘The current plan is to fly crew and contestants out to Majorca two weeks before filming starts and then isolate everyone. But even with these measures, insurance companies won’t offer cover.
‘ITV can’t do the series without insurance. If the series is airing and even just one person tests positive for the virus, the whole thing would have to be shut down immediately.’
ITV boss Kevin Lygo had also hinted Love Island was going to be axed as it might send the wrong signal to viewers during a time of social distancing.
Speaking during a virtual interview by the Edinburgh TV Festival, Kevin admitted they’re at a point when they have to decide whether to go ahead with Love Island this year.
He said: ‘We’re approaching the moment of is it feasible? Will Majorca open its doors?’
Deserted villa: The Mallorcan villa will remain empty for another years after TV bosses decided not to fly contestants out
Taking a break: ITV boss Kevin Lygo had previously hinted Love Island was going to be axed as it might send the wrong signal to viewers during a time of social distancing
The channel boss added that they wouldn’t want to send the wrong signal to viewers when the country is asked to stay and home and keep at least two metres apart.
‘What signal might it be sending out if we’re doing a show where everyone is crammed together slavering over each other, and the rest of the world is told not to go near anyone in the park?’ he added.
Kevin added that they did consider moving filming for this year’s series to the UK from its usual spot in Mallorca.
He went onto dismiss reports it could be filmed in Cornwall saying it ‘wouldn’t be the same.’
Kevin also said there would be a ‘big commercial impact’ if the series failed to go ahead.
Uh oh: It comes following reports much of this year’s cast will have missed on thousands of pounds in big-money deals during the lockdown (Shaughna Phillips and Demi Jones, pictured)
It comes following reports much of this year’s cast will have missed on thousands of pounds in events and big-money deals as the country is ground to a halt during the lockdown.
Jack Cooper of EdHopkinsPR previously revealed to Metro that stars have missed key moneymaking moments which have previously bagged stars up to millions of pounds.
He said: ‘They are also missing out on club appearances due to them being closed, which could have earned them up to £5,000 per hour.
‘With no events to attend, they are also missing out on a huge range of exposure in the media, having no stories for the press to write about…
‘The Winter Love Island stars are set to lose huge amounts of money, some contestants up to £500,000. Brand deals at the moment are at an all-time low.
‘Many of the participants have approached us to represent them during this tough time. Due to our books being full and also the lack of opportunities in the industry at this time, we have had to decline them.’
Stand in: Laura took over as host from her friend Caroline Flack, who tragically took her own life in February
Love Island last aired on screens at the beginning of this year when ITV2 commissioned the show’s first ever winter series, filmed in South Africa.
Laura took over as host from her friend Caroline Flack, who tragically took her own life in February.
Shortly after the show came off air that month, the global coronavirus pandemic spread around the world, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson enforcing a lockdown on 23 March.
Despite these concerns, the number of applications for the summer series is anything to go by, fans are hoping the ITV2 dating show does return as potential islanders are at a record high.
Better luck next time! It was reported this summer’s Love Island has seen its highest number of applications yet (winter series winner Paige Turley pictured)
According to The Sun, Love Island has received its highest number of applications yet and show bosses are hoping to snap up new reality stars by holding virtual auditions.
An insider told the paper that applications have surpassed 12,000, claiming: ‘Applications have gone through the roof since lockdown. Never before have so many people applied in this six-week time span.’
They continued: ‘Over seventy per cent of the applications have come from 18 to 28-year-olds and the videos being sent in have been more creative than ever as people have more time on their hands.’
The insider suggested that once the candidates for Love Island’s summer series have been shortlisted in the ‘coming weeks’, they’ll then be interviewed virtually by the team, with ITV having to bring in ‘extra staff’ to accommodate the high numbers.