Love Island cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic
Written by News on 04/05/2020
This year’s summer series of Love Island has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, bosses have confirmed.
ITV says the show will come back in 2021.
The announcement has been made after much speculation about how the hit reality series, which usually airs in the UK in June, would go ahead due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Last week, ITV boss Kevin Lygo said he had ruled out filming in the UK rather than Majorca, after considering whether it could take place in Cornwall, and that he felt “uneasy” about airing a show that sees people “slathering over each other” while the rest of the nation is being told to socially distance.
Now, it has been officially called off.
“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 well-being of everyone involved and that for us is the priority,” Mr Lygo said.
“In normal circumstances we would be preparing very soon to travel out to the location in Majorca 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.”
Host Laura Whitmore, who took over presenting duties from Caroline Flack for the first winter series earlier this year, said this year’s series, set to be the seventh, had received more applications than ever.
“Like with a lot of things because of restrictions with travel, social distancing and unable to plan ahead, Love Island is postponed until 2021,” she tweeted.
“Great news is that there have been more applications than any other series!
“Next year is going to be BIG. Stay safe.”
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Love Island has been a huge hit for ITV2 since its relaunch in 2015, and the first winter series, which was filmed in South Africa, launched in January.
Whitmore had been confirmed as host for the winter show after Flack was charged with assault in December 2019.
Flack later took her own life on 15 February, at the age of 40, just a few weeks before her trial was due to take place.
Love Island paid tribute during the final episode of the latest series, which was won by Paige Turley and Finn Tapp.
An inquest into her death is due to resume on 5 August.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
(c) Sky News 2020: Love Island cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic
