'Love Island' shatters all-time records as 12,000 candidates apply for a spot on the reality show
ITV2's hit show, 'Love Island' always airs at the end of May or the beginning of June but this time several doubts have been cast if the show will return to television later this year due to the pandemic.
However, fans of the dating show are hoping that it does return as the number of applications for the summer series are at a record high.
The Sun confirmed that 'Love Island' has received its highest number of applications yet, even with the UK observing a lockdown and the show bosses hoping to scout new reality stars by way of virtual auditions. They believe the spike in numbers is due to applicants not getting adequate action due to the lockdown.
An insider confirmed to the publication that the number of applications has surpassed a whopping 12,000. "Applications have gone through the roof since lockdown. Never before have so many people applied in this six-week time span" the source claimed.
They continued, "Over 70 percent of the applications have come from 18 to 28-year-olds and the videos being sent in have been more creative than ever as people have more time on their hands."
The insider also suggested that the candidates for the show's summer series will be shortlisted in the "coming weeks". They will then be interviewed virtually by the team and ITV will have to consider bringing in "extra staff" to accommodate the astronomical numbers, added the insider.
Such reports come as the future of 'Love Island' summer series is still in doubt. With the current restrictions due to COVID-19, travel is prohibited and the future of the summer series looks dicey as it is usually filmed out in Majorca.
ITV is yet to share the official decision yet about 'Love Island' but if the usual air dates/period (end of May/beginning of June) is anything to go by, the series will most likely be postponed.
Earlier this year 'Love Island' returned to screens with its first-ever winter series that was filmed in South Africa.
Paige Turley and Finley Tapp were crowned winners of the show after defeating runners-up Siannise Fudge and Luke Trotman by just one percent of the public vote.
Caroline Flack had to step down from the show following her arrest over an alleged assault involving her boyfriend Lewis Burton. Laura Whitmore stepped in as a replacement and hosted the show instead.
Lewis chose not to pursue the charges but the CPS continued the case and the trial was scheduled for the beginning of March. On February 15, while the show was airing, news broke that Caroline died by suicide.
She had hosted 'Love Island' since its return in 2015, and an emotional tribute was paid to her during the winter series' finale.
The tribute was introduced with a montage of Caroline's moments on the show, Laura emotionally told viewers: "Caroline loved 'Love Island' and that’s why tonight’s final is dedicated to her."
Prior to lockdown, Laura confessed that she "hadn't thought" about returning to host 'Love Island', amid speculations that she had been secured by ITV to host.
Speaking to Grazia, she said: "I haven't even thought about the next series to be honest. I really enjoyed doing series 6 but it was very difficult. It had huge highs, huge lows."
"For a lot of people who worked, we all need a bit of time away from the show just to reflect and look after our own selves and self-care. It’s very soon to be talking about the summer at the moment because we just need time to ourselves."