Love Island bosses have announced that a much-awaited winter series of the show will be airing next year.
From 2020, the ITV2 reality show will increase to two series a year, with one beginning earlier in the year, and the second airing in its usual summer slot.
ITV has confirmed that the new series will take place in a brand new villa in South Africa – where the short-lived reality show Survival Of The Fittest was also set – while the second run of the year is expected to return to its usual location in Mallorca.
ITV’s head of digital channels, Paul Mortimer, said: “Off the back of a record-breaking year, we’re delighted to be bringing an extra series of our biggest and sunniest show to the 2020 schedule.
“Love Island has proven yet again to be the perfect format that engages younger audiences. In response to this viewer appetite, a new batch of young singletons will deliver some highly anticipated post-Christmas romance and drama from our new and luxurious location.”
Angela Jain, the managing director at ITV Studios Entertainment added: ″We love making Love Island for ITV2.
“The show’s success is testament to the magnificent production team that decamp to Mallorca every year to deliver the award-winning show with its trademark warmth, wit and wide-ranging appeal. And now 2020 is going to have even more love than before.”
It is yet to be officially announced if host Caroline Flack and narrator Iain Stirling will return for the new winter series.
Love Island is currently on its fifth series, with the winning couple set to be crowned on Monday night.
The current run has proved to be hugely successful, bringing in the highest-ever viewing figures not just for Love Island, but for ITV2 in general, with official ratings averaging nearly six million.
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.
