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REALITY CHECK

Love Island 2019 will cast contestants with ‘different body shapes’ as producers ‘want more diversity’

LOVE Island bosses are planning to cast stars with "different body shapes" as producers "want more diversity".

The team behind the show hope the move will reassure fans that they are representing people they can relate to.

 Love Island bosses are preparing to shake up next year's series by encouraging people of all sizes and shapes, and non-binary and intersexual people to apply
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Love Island bosses are preparing to shake up next year's series by encouraging people of all sizes and shapes, and non-binary and intersexual people to applyCredit: ITV

A source told the : "With everything that’s happened, bosses know that the show will be under intense scrutiny this year so they’ve gone back to see what it is the viewers want, and if there’s anything they can do to make it better.

"One thing that keeps coming up is the lack of body shape diversity. Viewers want to see girls and boys with bodies they can relate to."

They added: "Sexy singles come in all shapes and sizes and this is what the viewers will see this year.

"It’s a really positive move.”

 Since Mike's death ITV have announced therapy, social media training and financial management for all reality show contestants
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Since Mike's death ITV have announced therapy, social media training and financial management for all reality show contestantsCredit: Rex Features
Ercan Ramadan
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Ercan Ramadan has been approached to join Love Island 2019Credit: Instagram

Love Island bosses were recently forced to speak out about the show's aftercare policy, following the tragic death of former Islander Mike Thalassitis.

And it comes after The Sun Online revealed that the show has eyed up Z-list celebs to join the 2019 series - including Vicky Pattison's recent ex boyfriend Ercan Ramadan.

Show insiders tell The Sun Online that the ex Only Way Is Marbs star has already been approached to head into the villa in June.

Vicky Patison
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Vicky with Ercan Ramadan before their splitCredit: Instagram
Ercan Ramadan
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Ercan appeared on The Only Way Is MarbsCredit: Instagram

Ercan, who now works on a building site, counts 2018 Love Island winner Jack Fincham among his close pals and is an ideal candidate because of his "strong social media" presence - with a cool 52.4k followers already in the bag.

Sources revealed before their split: "Love Island casting agents are approaching people with low-level fame to take part in this year’s show. Ercan was approached by casting producers in January.

They told him he'd be a perfect fit for the show and that they really wanted him on board.

"It's a total U-turn after Love Island bosses binned reality stars for the last series.

"But this year they know exactly who they want on the show. Everyone on Love Island must have a strong influence on social media - it's key to the success of the show."

A Love Island insider denied that Ercan had been approached by bosses, but said he could have been asked to audition by a casting team.

Ercan Ramadan
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He has over 50,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram
Ercan Ramadan
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The reality star is good friends with Jack FinchamCredit: Instagram
Vicky Pattison shows off her cooking skills on double date with Ercan Ramadan

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