Love Island bosses plotting Christmas special to reunite the show’s cast in what could be an awkward knees-up
NOTHING says Christmas like getting a group together for an awkward knees-up — and ITV bosses think it’ll make good telly.
I can reveal Love Island producers are plotting to bring back the cast for a one-off festive special that could make for some extremely uncomfortable viewing.
Only four couples out of nine from this year’s series are still together — and bosses have already been in touch with winners Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer to get them on board.
An ITV source said: “Bosses have been wanting to get the cast back together for a few years now but have finally been given the green light because of the success of this year’s show.
“They know exactly the kind of drama that viewers want to see and getting together the couples who have split will certainly make for tense viewing.
“Producers are in the process of getting people to sign up and they are hoping that everybody agrees to it.”
Samira Mighty and ex-boyfriend Frankie Foster were the first to show cracks after The Sun revealed he had cheated on her the night before she arrived back in Britain, having quit the show to be with him.
Laura Anderson and Paul Knops were the next victims, followed by Jack Fowler and Laura Crane, Charlie Brake and Ellie Brown and most recently Georgia Steel and Sam Bird last week.
Early talks for the reunion, which is expected to follow the format of spin-off show After Sun, have involved hosting the show back in the Love Island villa in Mallorca. And they’re even toying with the idea of recruiting stars from earlier series to spice things up.
The source added: “Lots of ideas have been floated around including bringing back some of the old stars. If they get on well with this year’s contestants then sparks could fly.”
And then they will undoubtedly split weeks later.
READ MORE FROM ANDY HALLS' BIZARRE TV COLUMN
There's a 'Lotta to look forward to
I HOPE ITV bosses have got plenty of ice at the ready because new pro Carlotta Edwards Demetriou is going to be raising temperatures on the rink.
The stunning Canadian-born skater is joining Dancing On Ice but any celebs hoping for a backstage romance will be disappointed, as she usually tours the world with her husband.
Here she’s seen posing in a swimming costume on a recent trip to Thailand.
Carlotta might have to buy herself a woolly hat when she touches down for filming in Hemel Hempstead.
DODGY DEALERS HELD TO RANTZEN
DODGY dealers had better watch out – Esther Rantzen is returning to TV.
I can reveal the veteran presenter is making a return to solving the nation’s consumer conundrums more than 24 years after her hit BBC show That’s Life ended.
She will head up national campaigns for the second series of Channel 5 show Do The Right Thing with Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford in January. And as part of the show’s sparkly new makeover, it will now be broadcast live from a West End theatre.
Esther said she was “thrilled” to be working with the telly couple and added: “I can’t wait to tell the stories that really matter to the Channel 5 viewers, tackling social injustices and exposing wrongdoing and sometimes having a laugh on the way.”
I hope she brings a touch of her That’s Life humour, too.
Must Watch
WHAT? Gogglebox: Celebrity Special, 9pm, Channel 4.
WHY? The charity show for Stand Up To Cancer features Danny and Dani Dyer, Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Peter Crouch.
Vic will Dare for charity
LOOSE Women’s Andrea McLean and ex Olympian Victoria Pendleton will be pushing themselves to the limit after agreeing to take part in SAS: Who Dares Wins.
They will see if they’ve got what it takes for Special Forces selection in Channel 4’s first Stand Up to Cancer celebrity special next year.
Outspoken former Tory MP Louise Mensch has also put her money where her mouth is by signing up.
The celebs take part in a seven-day course at the bidding of former soldier Ant Middleton.
Ant said: “Celebrities go through their lives showing the public a front and face they want them to see. This process strips all that away.”
Alongside Love Island’s Camilla Thurlow and Made In Chelsea’s Sam Thompson, England rugby international Ben Foden has also been announced in what will be the second time men and women are allowed to compete together after this year’s upcoming civilian series.
I’m all for pampered celebs busting a gut for a good cause.