ITV has extended Love Island applications as they search for the “most diverse cast ever” and recruit “all shapes and sizes”, The Celeb Report can reveal.
Applications were due to end by April 30th – but the deadline has been scrapped in a bid to find a line-up like no other.
The hit ITV2 dating show has already seen a whopping 100,000 applications for the new series after it was cancelled last year because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
But their search for a new crop of stars is far from over as our TV source said: “Bosses know that all eyes will be on them when the show returns later this year, so they want to make sure that they can’t give anyone anything to criticise them over.
“In the past the show has been criticised for being too white, and having a lack of body diversity.
“Viewers want to see women and men that they can relate to and hot singletons come in all shapes and sizes so this is a positive move.
“They’ve also been criticised for being too white, and this is something that they will be addressing. The casting team have been told to get the most diverse line up ever. It’s being seen as a bit of a long overdue shake-up.”
In 2019 the show came under fire in a racism row when Yewande Biala was the last contestant to be picked in the first coupling ceremony – the fourth year in a row that an ethnic minority contestant was picked last in the first coupling ceremony.
Former Love Island star Marcel Somerville also blasted the series in an exclusive interview with The Celeb Report after Yewande followed in his and other minorities, Malin Andersson, and Samira Mighty’s footsteps of not being picked on launch night.
He told us: “The one thing that lets the show down is when they’re doing their casting they don’t take into consideration people’s tastes.
“The casting progress needs to change. They need to listen and think about who they’re putting in the villa and at what times.
“They need to make sure people match up in terms of their types, they put a bunch of good looking people in there but if you’re putting people in there that won’t form connections you’re making it impossible − especially if it is a person of colour, they’re making it seem like it’s a colour situation.”
Last month, it was revealed that contestants would be undergoing a string of enhanced mental, physical and emotional tests before entering the villa.
Another source told us: “Love Island’s only stipulation is that applicants are over 18, single and looking for love.
“The application and casting process is inclusive to all and they’re always aiming to reflect the age and diversity of the audience on the show.”
It marks a huge U-turn for ITV who once defended their Love Island casting process, saying they wanted slim and chiselled stars because they needed the contestants to fancy each other.
And it comes after Love Island South Africa faced backlash for their predominantly white line-up – with just one black contestant.
Earlier this year, The Celeb Report reported producers struggled to make the sun-kissed show work amid Covid restrictions.
An insider told The Celeb Report that sites in Devon, Cornwall and Wales – where I’m a Celebrity relocated to – have been put forward for a 2021 series in their search for a perfect back-up location if they can’t film in Mallorca.
However, ITV boss Kevin Lygo confirmed Love Island is definitely going ahead as he announced the channel’s bumper schedule for 2021.
“There’s so much to look forward to on ITV this spring and into summer, with the Euros and the return of Love Island, but much more besides,” he said.
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