Things are not looking good for the summer series of Love Island, following the latest comments from ITV boss Kevin Lygo.
Earlier this year, the reality show aired its first ever winter series, which was supposed to have been the first of two editions that would air in 2020.
However, in light of the coronavirus outbreak and current lockdown restrictions, it’s been heavily speculated the summer run – due to film in Mallorca, Spain –would not be going ahead as planned.
In the last few weeks, there have been conflicting reports quoting “sources” and “insiders” as to whether the show would be going ahead, with a recent rumour claiming it could be moved to a location in the UK.
While ITV has remained tight-lipped on the matter, the broadcaster’s chief addressed the matter during an appearance at the online version of the Edinburgh TV festival – and things are not looking good.
“We’re right approaching the moment with Love Island of is it feasible, will Majorca open its doors to hundreds of production people arriving?” Lygo said. “Will there have to be quarantine? All these things.
“And so we have to factor all of that in and also, what signal might it be sending out if we’re doing a show where everybody is crammed together slathering over each other, and the rest of the world is told don’t go near anyone in the park?”
“I’m a little uneasy about that,” he added. “So we will make a decision in a proper way quite soon, but it affects a lot of people, a big commercial impact for us, there’s 200 people working on that show.”
Lygo also said that while producers looked into moving the show to a location in the UK, this would not be explored any further.
“I don’t think making it in the UK, it would be the same show,” he explained.
A Love Island rep had no further comment when contacted by HuffPost UK.
The first winter series of Love Island – won by Paige Turley and Finn Tapp – was filmed in Cape Town, South Africa, and came to an end in February.
It was also the first to be hosted by Laura Whitmore, after previous host Caroline Flack stepped down.
Caroline sadly took her own life on 15 February, with Laura paying live tribute to her during the live final.
Laura had been expected to return to front the summer edition, which was due to head back to the Mallorcan villa that has featured on the show since 2017.
During the same session, Lygo spoke about the future of ITV’s soaps, revealing that at the current rate that Emmerdale and Coronation Street are being aired, the former will run out of episodes in May, and the latter in June.
He also confirmed The Masked Singer would definitely be back for a second UK run in 2021, although it could well go ahead without a studio audience.
