Love Island: All Stars has been forced to postpone filming and delay its highly anticipated launch after wildfires in South Africa led to the evacuation of the show’s villa.
The third series of the ITV spin-off was due to premiere on Monday, but ITV confirmed the broadcast had been pulled after ongoing wildfires caused serious safety concerns in the area surrounding the filming location.
In a statement shared on the show’s official Instagram account, ITV said: “Further to a production evacuation owing to ongoing wildfires in the area, our assessment of the location site has concluded that filming will need to be postponed. 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 disruption came just days after ITV had already cancelled the planned opening episode following a road closure near the villa, as emergency services worked to contain the fires.
According to reports, filming has now been pushed back indefinitely, with firefighters battling through the night in the Wemmershoek region as producers wait for the area to be declared completely safe.
A source said: “Bosses have no choice but to wait for the area to be deemed completely safe. The desire is to be back as soon as possible but risk and health and safety assessments are still ongoing.”
Hosted by Maya Jama, Love Island: All Stars follows the same format as the original series, but with the twist that former Islanders return to the villa for another chance at love and the cash prize.
The new cast includes two former winners — Jess Harding, 25, and Millie Court, 29 — alongside Tommy Bradley, 22, and Helena Ford, 29, who both appeared on the most recent summer series.
They will also be joined by Jack Keating, the son of Irish singer Ronan Keating, who previously featured on series eight, as well as Whitney Adebayo, Ciaran Davies, 23, and Sean Stone, 26.
Rounding out the line-up are Charlie Frederick, 31, Belle Hassan, 27, Leanne Amaning, 28, and Shaq Muhammad, 27, bringing together Islanders from across multiple seasons.
ITV has yet to confirm a new air date, but the broadcaster says the safety of the cast, crew and local community remains the priority as efforts continue to bring the wildfires under control.
It’s an all new look for the upcoming season of Love Island: All Stars — as the islanders are heading to a new villa.
The reality dating show returns for its second all-star season on Monday (January 12), which will see former contestants on the show — including Ronan Keating’s son and 2022 alum Jack Keating — look for love for a second time.
Trading the Spanish island of Mallorca for South Africa, the islanders will be heading into a truly stunning new villa which has been given a full makeover.
