AFTER fans started to switch off from Love Island, ITV bosses hoped to put some life back into the show with their glamorous new All Stars offering.
They plan to lean on the show’s ten-series legacy by stuffing their Winter villa in Cape Town full of show legends from years gone by.
Maura Higgins has been approached for the new show
But if those professional gameplayers think they know what to expect, they would be wrong.
I can reveal that bosses are considering throwing in a handful of curveball civilian bombshells to spice it up even more and test out whether the legends are really there for love or just fame.
A source said: “Love Island bosses want to make sure they’re out of the ratings slump when winter rolls around for All Stars.
“They are working out ways to give the show a real kick and to make the format have a lasting impact.
“At the moment it’s all just an open discussion and there are lots of ideas being put on the table.
“Naturally there is potential for old rivals to have it out on screen and put old love triangles back into play.
“But fresh non-famous faces could bring about a real psychological twist – will these old hands stick with the legend they’ve coupled up with for maximum impact or risk it all for someone they actually fancy?
“It would really test out that argument that people now just use Love Island for fame.
“It’s all very exciting for the team working on it because nothing is off the table.”
We revealed how Love Island were planning the huge format switch up back in February.
Our villa insider told at the time how former stars including Maura Higgins and Sophie Piper were among names being approached for the show.
ITV2 will now air Love Island All Stars in place of the winter series in January 2024, with Maya Jama expected to return as host after proving to be a major hit with fans.
They’re certainly throwing everything they’ve got at it.
ALAN TITCHMARSH celebrates all things canine in his new show for Channel 5.
The gardener will help hounds without a home in Underdog To Super Dog.
He said: “I am looking forward to watching the development of the dogs as they prove their worth when given the chance to shine.”
Dianne’s cooking is flaky
YOU might think curry, tuna and cornflakes an odd mix – but Dianne Buswell reckons it’s delicious.
The Celebrity MasterChef contestant has revealed she will take inspiration from her mum on the show’s new series which started earlier this month on BBC One.
Dianne Buswell revealed she will take inspiration from her mum on Celebrity MaserChef
But Strictly star Dianne’s favourite recipe may be a surprise.
She said: “My mum makes this dish called tuna mornay – it’s like a curry but with tuna and rice, and it’s all combined and there are cornflakes on it. It sounds awful, but it’s so good. It’s been my favourite thing to eat ever since I was seven.”
Let’s hope she skips making it for judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
The show continues on Wednesday at 9pm.
NETFLIX drama Top Boy is returning for its third and final season this autumn.
Ashley Walters and Kane ‘Kano’ Robinson will reprise their roles as London drug dealers Dushane and Sully, who once again battle to protect their illegal business in a bid to remain as ‘Top Boys’ of their estate.
The series will be available to stream on Netflix from September 7.
Juggling act
NUMBERS may be a whizz for Countdown star Rachel Riley, but that doesn’t mean she’s good at calculating how much time she has for her husband Pasha Kovalev.
The TV presenter, who is a mum of two, has admitted her biggest downfall is failing to work out how to juggle her work life and her home life with the Strictly Come Dancing pro.
Rachel Riley admitted her biggest downfall is failing to work out how to juggle her work life and her home life
She told the Spinning Plates podcast: “Right now I’ve got Countdown and 8 Out Of 10 Cats.
“We live in London, we film in Salford and I’m still feeding the baby so every other week I schlep up to Manchester, then everyone else stays home.
“And Pasha has been filming, he’s choreographing a film in Romania, so he’s been away for most of the last month. He was home for less than 48 hours over the weekend so we actually saw him.
“He’s about to go on tour with La Bamba, so he’s going to be in London, and then in Leicester and here, there and everywhere – and I’m going to be up and down to Manchester.
“We’ve got one in pre school and one going to be soon, so it feels like my head is looking in seven different directions… trying not to think about it because it makes me sweat a bit.”
