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HEALTH IS WEALTH
Love Island bosses spend THOUSANDS putting 150 singletons through strict medical tests – and hardly anyone makes it
POTENTIAL Love Island contestants have to undergo strict testing ahead of appearing on the show, from medical assessments to psychological tests.
And an insider has revealed that they won’t just test the chosen Islanders, but instead hundreds of people who might not even nab a place on the series.
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The medical insider revealed to The Sun: “We test hundreds of potential Love Islanders – around 150 in total – who’ll come in for their health tests before the show.
“They don’t all make it onto the show so it’s odd that they all get sent for the testing. I don’t necessarily think they don’t make it on for medical reasons.”
The insider continued to explain that ITV will “spend thousands” on the testing for Love Island contestants.
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“ITV spend a fortune on the tests, as it’s around £400 for each contestant per test,” they explained.
They also have to remain cautious when doing the tests, in a bid to not let the Islanders bump into each other before the show airs.
They explained: “We have to sneak the Islanders up different staircases and up different passageways so they don’t spot each other. We use a building that gives us the ability to do this. It’s all very secretive.”
Love Island launches its new winter series in just a matter of days over in South Africa, and it has announced a massive shake-up of show rules ahead of the new series.
Family and friends of the next batch of islanders are now banned from posting on their social media accounts during the show, instead accounts will be dormant.
In past series, islanders' teams used their accounts to encourage viewers to vote for them and build up their following.
However, they were often subject to vile abuse from trolls and there were even occasional spats between contestants' family and friends.
Love Island is also cracking down on gaslighting following incidents such as Jacques O'Neill and Paige Thorne's ill-fated romance that viewers found uncomfortable to watch.
The new rules package reads: "As part of extended measures to protect both the Islanders and their families from the adverse effects of social media, participants will be asked to pause handles and accounts on their social media platforms for the duration of their time on the show. Islanders’ accounts will remain dormant while they are in the Villa, so that nothing is published on their behalf."
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It goes on to say: "Participants will be offered resource links to read up on, in advance of meeting their fellow Islanders, to help them identify negative behaviours in relationships and understand the behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour.”
The duty of care measures are being overseen by Dr Paul Litchfield and Dr Matthew Gould.
Dr Paul said: "The Duty of Care arrangements for Love Island continue to evolve in the light of advances in scientific knowledge and awareness of the pressures young people face in establishing healthy relationships.
"That culture of continuous improvement ensures that Islanders are well placed to benefit from their experience of participating in one of the UK’s most popular TV shows.”
Love Island returns to screens on Monday, January 16.
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