Unless you have been living under a rock, you will have almost certainly heard that Love Island has returned for it's eighth series on ITV2. Cameras follow the Islanders' every move in their quest to find love, but what behind-the-scenes secrets are known to the public?
Love Island sees a group of contestants couple up with a partner for either love, friendship or money. At the end of the eight-week series, the winning couple will win £50,000, which they will either split or keep.
The series always tends to attract significant attention from the media and viewers alike. This was seen recently following the shock early departure of Welsh Islander, Liam Llewellyn. The ITV2 dating show, which is hosted by Laura Whitmore, is known to be fairly strict on what the Islanders can and can't do, so here is a look at some of Love Island's known behind-the-scenes secrets.
Read more: Love Island's Liam Llewellyn breaks silence after shock exit from villa
Laura Whitmore travels back and forth to Britain
If you thought that host Laura Whitmore has it easy with an eight-week holiday in Majorca and an occasional visit to the villa, you'd be mistaken. The show's presenter travels back and forth from Majorca. This series, bosses are said to be prepared if the ongoing ups and downs of airline chaos affect that travel.
Last year, the Irish beauty described travelling as a "logistical nightmare" due to Covid restrictions. . Love Island is somewhat of a family affair for Laura, whose husband Iain Stirling, narrates the ITV2 show.
The Islanders can text one another on their phones
If you were under the impression that Islanders would have to go cold-turkey from using phones during their time in the villa, you'd be mistaken. As well as the infamous, "I've got a text" line, the contestants can also text each other.
Harley, who was on Love Island 2017, previously told OK Magazine: “‘We have an Island chat where we can talk amongst the Islanders and then Love Island can contact you so any big event in the villa you receive by text.”
Take 2! Things can be filmed multiple times
"But it's all real," that's what some of you are arguing as you read the above. We regret to inform you that some of the 'romantic' moments in Love Island have been filmed multiple times. A Love Island insider reportedly told The Daily Mail that hapless romantic Hugo Hammond took five attempts to have his 'first kiss' with fellow Islander, Amy Day in the 2021 series.
Scenes such as Islander entrances and exits, and dramatic conversations and moments are filmed more than once, to make sure everything is perfect and no drama is ever missed. We hope that revelation doesn't ruin the illusion. Speaking of which...
Recouplings reportedly take hours to film
It's the moment that Islanders love to hate - the recouplings. Depending on how well the Islanders get on with their respective partner, they may be made to leave them to sleep in the same bed as someone else. These moments reportedly take "hours" to film.
Former Islander, Amy Hart, has said that it takes a while to film complete recouplings. They are quite often filmed late at night and in the earlier hours of the morning, and on her TikTok account, Amy said the normal recouplings take up to two hours to film, whilst the big Casa Amor recoupling takes four. It's a good job the contestants don't have any concept of time.
Why do we never see Islanders eat?
The age-old question - why do we never see Islanders eat? Surely the contestants would only really be on holiday if they were gorging on unhealthy foods and drinking copious amounts of alcohol (Just us, huh?) but it is not to be.
There are a number of reasons why not, with Georgia Townsend confirming the main two are that it won’t make "great TV to watch the contestants eating", and because they actually get their microphone batteries changed at this time – so not everyone is mic’d up and ready to go.
There is also a limit to the amount that Islanders can drink. Each Islander is permitted to have two glasses of wine or two glasses of beer during a party evening. Food is also supplied and producers are able to take shopping list requests from the contestants.
The beach hut scenes can sometimes be created by the producers
The famous Love Island beach hut scenes sees the contestants having a good ol' gossip about their latest villa developments. The beach hut, itself, is also a really useful device in crafting a story for the whole episode. With a helping hand from producers, the Islanders are essentially 'told what to say'.
2021 Islander Georgia previously said: “The Beach Hut is open to you whenever you want and it’s kind of a bit of a time-out zone. The night I couldn’t sleep I went in there to talk to a producer. It’s a two way street: They [producers] might call you in to get your thoughts and opinion on something that’s just happened. It’s a way you can talk to producers without them being on screen.”
There’s a tannoy system in the villa which tells the Islanders off
Every now and then, there is that one Islander that puts their foot out of line in the villa. A tannoy system reportedly stops that from happening. With strict rules in Love Island, the producers do everything to keep the Islanders in check.
Former Islander Chris Williamson told the BBC: “There’s a tannoy system where they come over like a mother telling off naughty children, reminding you that you’re not supposed to be talking about this or that.”
Love Island continues on ITV2 at 9pm
