Love Island UK 2021 WILL return this year confirms ITV boss

LOVE Island is set to return this summer after fears coronavirus restrictions would mean it was cancelled.

Returning to ITV2 for the seventh series in 2021, the show will see a host of  new singletons seek to find their perfect match. 

ITV boss Kevin Lygo has confirmed Love Island will be back this year as he announced the channel’s bumper schedule for 2021.

“There’s so much to look forward to on ITV this spring and into summer, with the Euros and the return of Love Island, but much more besides,” he said.

Bosses promise there will be “lots of twists and turns” in the hotly anticipated new series.

ITV bosses say viewers can expect shock recouplings,  unexpected splits and dramatic exits. 

Love Island has not been air since its first – and so far only – winter edition concluded in February last year.

Earlier this year The Sun reported producers have struggled to make the sun-kissed show, which has filmed in Spain and South Africa, work amid Covid restrictions.

Asked if Love Island would be filming in the UK this summer, Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive of the channel, admitted: “I genuinely don’t know.

“We will want to put Love Island on air because it’s been off air for a little while. We didn’t do it last summer.

“We are looking at all our options at the moment. The pandemic makes it hard.”

An insider told The Sun that sites in Devon, Cornwall and Wales – where I’m a Celebrity relocated to – have been put forward for a 2021 series in their search for perfect back-up locations if they can’t film in Mallorca.

Contracts for this year’s show have Mallorca written into them but a source said there were back-up options on the table if travel restrictions meant travel to the country were to be off limits.

An insider explained: “In a perfect world Love Island would be filmed at original villa they use in Mallorca.

“But the pandemic has meant contingency plans are more important than ever and other locations have been discussed for the show.

“The Greek island of Crete was one which became a favourite due to its accessibility and stunning locations.

“Nothing is off the cards for Love Island at the moment.”

Meanwhile, casting for this year’s Love Island, hosted by Laura Whitmore, is well underway and The Sun exclusively revealed how contestants were going to be put through more rigorous psychological testing.

The updated checks were put into place following ITV’s vow to reassess their duty of care.

Those who get past the audition stage will go through three rounds of testing to ensure they are fit and well enough to appear on the ITV2 series.

And like in previous years, they will also be required to provide their doctors’ details and list any medications they may be taking.

The contestants will be monitored throughout the show and like before, support teams are on hand to help anyone struggling.