Love Island applications soar as record number of singletons sign up during lockdown… despite summer series still yet to be confirmed amid COVID-19
- Love Island’s summer series is due to return later this year and is usually filmed overseas in Majorca
- Doubts have been cast over the summer series going ahead due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and lockdown measures restricting travel
- Sources claim the ITV2 dating show has seen a record high in applications
- ITV are yet to confirm whether Love Island will still be going ahead as planned
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
There may be doubts over whether Love Island will return later this year, due to the current coronavirus pandemic.
But if 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.
According to The Sun, Love Island has received its highest number of applications yet, while the UK is in lockdown and show bosses are hoping to snap up new reality stars by holding virtual auditions.
Record high: Love Island has reportedly received its highest number of applicants while the UK is in lockdown, despite the summer series still being in doubt due to the coronavirus pandemic (Pictured: Love Island 2020 winner Paige Turley)
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.
MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for Love Island for comment.
All systems go: An insider told the paper that applications have surpassed 12,000 and show bosses are going ahead with auditions, holding them virtually via video calls (Pictured: Siannise Fudge and Luke Trotman)
Such reports come as the future of Love Island’s summer series is still in doubt, with ITV yet to confirm whether the dating show will be returning, given the COVID-19 crisis (Pictured L-R: Zara McDermott, Megan Barton Hanson, Adam Collard and Wes Nelson)
Such reports come as the future of Love Island’s summer series is still in doubt.
Many TV shows have been forced to postpone filming and upcoming series in order to adhere to lockdown restrictions in place because of COVID-19.
Current restrictions are preventing travel, which would prove tricky for the dating series as it is usually filmed out in Majorca.
Shows like The Apprentice have scrapped their plans for a 2020 series, while reports suggest I’m A Celebrity and Strictly Come Dancing are hopeful they can still go ahead.
No official decision has been confirmed yet by ITV for Love Island. The series usually airs towards the end of May/beginning of June – suggesting that if the show were to go ahead, it is likely to be postponed.
Champs: Love Island aired its first ever winter series earlier this year, which was won by couple Paige Turley and Finley Tapp (pictured above)
Close call: They narrowly beat runners-up Siannise Fudge and Luke Trotman (pictured) by just one per cent of the public vote
Set for a return? Laura Whitmore had hosted Love Island’s first ever winter series alongside her boyfriend and show voiceover Iain Stirling
Love Island returned to screens earlier this year with its first ever winter series that took place in South Africa.
Paige Turley and Finley Tapp were crowned the winners of the show, as they beat runners-up Siannise Fudge and Luke Trotman by just one per cent of the public vote.
Laura Whitmore had hosted the series, after stepping in to replace Caroline Flack, who stepped down from the show following her arrest over an alleged assault involving boyfriend Lewis Burton.
Despite Lewis choosing not to pursue the charges, the CPS continued with Caroline’s case and a trial was scheduled for the beginning of March.
While Love Island was airing, news broke that Caroline had died, aged 40, by suicide, on 15 February. The show was dedicated to the presenter, who had hosted Love Island since its return in 2015, and an emotional tribute was paid to Caroline during the winter series’ finale.
Heartbreaking: While Love Island was airing, news broke that Caroline, who had hosted the show since 2015, had died, aged 40, by suicide, on 15 February
Tragic: Going forward, the series was dedicated to the presenter and an emotional tribute, led by Laura, was paid to Caroline during the winter series’ finale
Introducing the tribute, that was a montage of Caroline’s moments on the show, Laura emotionally told viewers: ‘Caroline loved Love Island and that’s why tonight’s final is dedicated to her.’
In March, prior to lockdown, Laura confessed that she ‘hadn’t thought’ about returning to host Love Island, despite speculation she had been secured by ITV to continue.
Speaking to Grazia, she said: ‘I haven’t even thought about the next series to be honest. I really enjoyed doing series 6 but it was very difficult. It had huge highs, huge lows.
‘For a lot of people who worked, we all need a bit of time away from the show just to reflect and look after our own selves and self-care. It’s very soon to be talking about the summer at the moment because we just need time to ourselves.’
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
‘We all need a bit of time away’ In March, prior to lockdown, Laura confessed that she ‘hadn’t thought’ about returning to host Love Island, despite speculation she had been secured by ITV to continue
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