Fans eagerly awaiting the return of Love Island: All Stars have been hit with disappointing news: the show's premiere has been delayed. ITV confirmed that filming for the highly anticipated spin-off, which sees former contestants return to the villa, has been postponed following an emergency evacuation of the South African filming location due to nearby wildfires.
Wildfires Force Evacuation and Production Halt
The decision to halt production was made with the utmost priority on the safety and well-being of the cast and crew. In a statement released via the show’s official Instagram page, ITV confirmed the evacuation. “Health and safety is our greatest priority and will always come first, and therefore the transmission of Love Island: All Stars will be delayed until a date to be confirmed,” the statement read.
This unforeseen disruption means the third series of the popular spin-off, originally slated to kick off this coming Monday, will not air as planned. ITV has not yet provided a revised broadcast schedule, leaving viewers in suspense regarding when they can tune in to see the returning faces of the Love Island universe.
The South African Context
The evacuation stems from serious wildfire incidents reported in the Western Cape region of South Africa, where the Love Island villa is situated. State broadcaster SABC reported that authorities, including the South African Air Force, were actively involved in controlling several active fire-related incidents in the area over the weekend. The proximity of these fires necessitated the immediate removal of all personnel from the set.
What We Know About Love Island: All Stars
Despite the setback, excitement remains high for this specific iteration of the franchise. Love Island: All Stars follows the familiar, high-stakes format of the original ITV programme, but with a twist: beloved or notorious former Islanders are heading back into the villa in a new bid to find lasting love.
The Hosted Comeback
The series is once again being steered by the charismatic Maya Jama, who has become synonymous with the modern Love Island era. Her hosting presence is a major draw for viewers keen to see how established personalities navigate the pressure cooker environment for a second time.
Familiar Faces and New Chances
The initial line-up announced for the 2026 series includes a mix of fan favourites, including two former series winners: Jess Harding (25) and Millie Court (29). Also joining the villa is Jack Keating (26), son of Irish singer Ronan Keating, making his return to the franchise.
Other confirmed cast members set to enter the villa include Belle Hassan (27), Charlie Frederick (31), Ciaran Davies (23), Helena Ford (29), Leanne Amaning (28), Sean Stone (26), Shaq Muhammad (27), Tommy Bradley (22), and Whitney Adebayo (28). The dynamic between these returning personalities—some of whom have complicated histories—promises intense drama, provided filming can resume safely.
Viewer Engagement and Past Controversies
The Love Island franchise, both the main series and spin-offs, consistently draws massive viewing figures in the UK. During the height of the regular format’s twelfth series last summer, the first episode attracted an impressive 2.6 million viewers, with streams on ITVX also showing a healthy year-on-year increase of 9%.
However, the show has often faced scrutiny alongside its success. Series 12, in particular, prompted over 14,000 complaints to media regulator Ofcom, primarily alleging issues related to bullying, abusive behaviour, and misogyny within the villa dynamics. Ofcom ultimately decided against launching a formal investigation, stating that the negative behaviour was not portrayed positively and aligned with viewer expectations for the show.
ITV’s Commitment to Welfare
In response to these ongoing concerns, ITV has maintained that participants receive comprehensive training prior to entering the villa. This training covers crucial topics such as “mutually respectful behaviour in relationships” and identifying “behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour.” The emphasis remains on contestant welfare, which underpins the necessity of the current evacuation.
What Happens Next?
For now, the focus remains squarely on the environmental situation in the Western Cape. Until local authorities confirm the fires are under control and the area is safe, the Islanders will remain off-screen. Fans are advised to keep an eye on official Love Island social media channels and ITV announcements for any updates regarding the resumption of filming and the eventual—and highly anticipated—new air date for Love Island: All Stars.
