A Love Island producer has weighed in on the future of the programme after it was revealed the winter series has been axed amid tumbling ratings.
ITV bosses had hoped Maya Jama would pull back plummeting ratings from the winter series but despite her instant popularity, the show filmed failed to resonate with viewers on the same scale as it does during the summer.
But fans of the ITV2 dating show won’t have to wait an entire year to get their Love Island fix with a brand new All Stars season airing in early 2024.
After MailOnline revealed the news about the programme, the creative director for the show, Mike Spencer, made a frank admisison about Love Island’s future.
Much like the decision to bring back old Islanders for a new series, Mike insists the success of the series is down to ‘keeping things fresh’ and throwing in new twists.
What does the future hold? A Love Island producer has weighed in on the future of the programme after it was revealed the winter series has been axed amid tumbling ratings
What’s going on? After MailOnline revealed the news about the programme, the creative director for the show, Mike Spencer, made a frank admisison about Love Island’s future (pictured summer 2023 winners Jess and Sammy)
Because Love Island is recorded just a day before it airs on ITV2, the creators are able to tune in perfectly to public perception and tweak the format in response.
As more dating shows join the TV landscape, such as Netflix’s Love Is Blind to BBC’s I Kissed A Boy, it is important to show bosses that they stay ahead of the game.
During an interview with Grazia, he said: ‘We have the advantage of the conversation being very current, so it’s all about being reactive and knowing that things change by day. Having that flexibility keeps everything feeling fresh.’
It was revealed on Monday that the winter series of Love Island has been axed for a second time due to low ratings.
In 2020, the first winter series aired but it was cancelled until this year when Maya, 28, took over the helm from former presenter Laura Whitmore, 38.
And now TV insiders have confirmed to MailOnline that the winter series will be replaced next year with the All Stars season, which will feature Love Island contestants from previous shows filmed not only in the UK but US and Australia.
A source revealed: ‘The winter series of Love Island has been axed for a second time… viewers just aren’t interested in watching the show twice a year.
‘It will be replaced by a brand new All Stars series, which will feature former Islanders who are still looking for love.
Omg! Fans of the ITV2 dating show won’t have to wait an entire year to get their Love Island fix with a brand new All Stars season airing in early 2024
Back again? A source told MailOnline that former stars of the show that are now married like fan favourite Olivia Attwood will cameo in the All Stars series
‘In terms of iconic Love Island stars who are now happily married including the likes of Olivia Attwood, producers are looking into cameo appearances so that they still involve fan favourites from the years gone by.’
MailOnline understands that the All Stars series will be filmed in South Africa and casting producers are currently recruiting single former stars of the show to sign up.
Megan Barton-Hanson, 29, who rose to fame on the 2018 series, is believed to be taking part while Georgia Steel, 25, known for her catchphrase ‘I’m loyal’, is also high on the wish list.
Maura Higgins, 32, star of the 2019 series, was approached but has ruled herself due to now being in a relationship with Hollywood stunt double Bobby Holland Hanton.
She said this month: ‘I can’t see myself ever doing that again, no. I’ve been asked, but I’ve said no. I just think, I’ve done it once, I’ve had my time on Love Island. I don’t really want to go back in time, I want to look to the future.’
A spokesperson for ITV told MailOnline: ‘Love Island returns to ITV2 and ITVX in 2024.’
No such luck! Bosses had hoped Maya would pull back plummeting ratings from the winter series but despite the host’s popularity, the show filmed in South Africa failed to resonate with viewers
No thanks: Maura Higgins, star of the 2019 series, was approached but has ruled herself due to now being in a relationship with Hollywood stunt double Bobby Holland Hanton
Bosses have been trialing the concept of bringing back famous Islanders the past two years by recasting Adam Collard and Kady McDermott as well as stars from the show overseas including Jess Wynter, who first found fame on the Australia series.
Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan won the winter show this year while Paige Turley and Finn Tapp earned the title in 2020.
The summer series came to a close on Monday night with Jess Harding and Sammy Root scooping the £50,000 beating favourites Whitney Adebayo and Lochan Nowacki to the top prize.
They were joined in the final by Ella Thomas and Tyrique Hyde and Molly Marsh and Zachariah Noble, who came third and fourth respectively.
