IT’S the jewel in ITV2’s crown and producers are doing all they can to ensure Love Island returns this summer.
Sexy singletons already have STI tests before they start bed-hopping on TV, but now potential contestants will need to be Covid-clean too.
A TV source said: “Producers are optimistic the series could go ahead, but they don’t want to take any risks with coronavirus spreading on set so are looking at testing contestants in advance.
They added: “Talk of host- ing the show in the UK has been vetoed.
“There would be nothing more depressing than seeing lovers huddled under blankets and umbrellas and stomping around in wellies.
“But if lockdown restrictions are lifted soon crew will work towards an August or September start date.”
An ITV spokesman said: “It’s too early to comment.”
Earlier this month HOAR Online exclusively revealed Love Island WILL film in Majorca later this year as show bosses gear up for a late August launch, HOAR Online can reveal.
Bosses of the smash hit ITV2 dating show are confident they will be able to film in the show’s villa on the Spanish island by late summer but are drawing up plans to potentially film up until November if the pandemic continues.
The show has been filmed on the Spanish isle for the past five years and bosses are still planning on flying out the latest bunch of contestants by delaying its start until the end of August or beginning of September.
A source said: “Reports that bosses are looking at London as an alternative are rubbish.
“Love Island is all about the sunshine and those skimpy outfits around the swimming pool as well as the sexual chemistry between the girls and boys.
“It has that holiday vibe which they just wouldn’t be able to ever replicate on a dreary Wednesday in September in London.”
The show was due to launch in early summer but the global lockdown has made that impossible.
And with the show such a huge earner for ITV, they are keen to film as soon as it is safe to do so – even if it means filming up until the end of the year.
The return is contingent of government laws in both the UK and Spain.
The insider added: “The plan is still for the show to be filmed at its famous villa in Majorca.
“By delaying the start until the end of August or beginning of September they’re pretty confident it will be able to go ahead there.
“It’s still a way off and they are taking one week at a time but they are speaking to their fixers in Spain and the advice was to delay it until then.
“The weather is still amazing in Mallorca right up until the end of November. So even if it doesn’t start until September the six week run will not be affected.”
An ITV spokeswoman has been approached for comment.
