Love Island villa will be patrolled by gun-toting guards amid fears stars could be KIDNAPPED

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LOVE Island’s villa will be patrolled by armed guards amid fears its stars could be kidnapped, according to reports.

The winter version of the show is being filmed in Cape Town, which is the world’s 11th deadliest city according to its murder rate.

The Love Island villa will be patrolled by armed guards this series

Heavily-armed police pictured during an operation in Cape Town

A show insider told the Star: “Producers arent taking any chances. Its been arranged for armed guards to patrol the compound throughout the series.

They will have them surrounding the area so there is no chance of any breaches…

If its known to everyone in the area that a big TV show is in town, then it will become a target. There are concerns there could be kidnap attempts if things arent done carefully.

An ITV spokesperson told The Sun Online: “The safety and security of our Islanders and crew are of the utmost importance.”

Presenters Laura Whitmore and boyfriend Iain Stirling will be protected on set

ITV insisted the safety of the Islanders was of ‘the utmost importance’

The villa this series is a 3.5 million mansion in South Africa

Cape Town last year saw 69 murders for every 100,000 people according to a government body, the South African Cities Network.

The murder rate has increased by 60 per cent in 2009-10, making it South Africa’s deadliest city.

Love Island’s winter edition will return on Sunday 12 December, with Laura Whitmore making her debut as the show’s host.

She was drafted in after Caroline Flack stepped down after being charged with assault amid claims she hit her boyfriend Lewis Burton with a lamp.

An armed South African police officer in the wake of a 2017 shooting in Cape Town

Both Caroline and Lewis have denied she hit him over the head with a lamp.

Amazingly, the deadline for entries to be on Love Island has not yet closed, and people can still apply to appear until 11 January – the day before it starts.

According to theITV application form, show bosses are “looking for vibrant singles from across the UK who want to head to the Winter sun, in search of love.”