If you think you’ve got what it takes to follow in Greg and Amber’s footsteps then you’re in luck because ITV2’s winter version of Love Island is already looking for contestants!
Requirements include – probably – the ability to ‘salmon’ into a swimming pool, having a voice loud enough to announce ‘I’ve got a text!’ to the entire villa and, of course, a love of drama.
This summer’s Love Island came to an end on Monday (July 29), after eight glorious weeks filled with Curtis’ ‘lovely young lady’ catchphrase, Ovie’s impressive hat selection, Maura’s brilliant honesty and Michael’s accusations of Amber’s ‘chaldish’ behaviour.
Baby: cries
Michael: CHALDISH #loveisland pic.twitter.com/b8zlr1uCbJ— saffron (@saffron011) July 24, 2019
In the end, Amber and Greg were the ones to take home £50,000 and during the final host Caroline Flack announced ITV2 are already looking for the next set of Islanders.
Last week it was confirmed we’d be getting not just one, but two series of the show next year. The first will air early in 2020 while the second will come in the summer months, filling the show’s usual time slot.
🎉 DOUBLE THE LOVE 🎉 It's official! Love Island will be back for TWO series in 2020! #LoveIsland2020 @LoveIsland #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/LW6z32ZxIF
— ITV2 (@itv2) July 24, 2019
ITV’s Head of Digital Channels and Acquisitions Paul Mortimer spoke about the decision to introduce a second series following its confirmation.
He said:
In response to this viewer appetite, a new batch of young singletons will deliver some highly anticipated post-Christmas romance and drama from our new and luxurious location.
Off the back of a record-breaking year, we’re delighted to be bringing an extra series of our biggest and sunniest show to the 2020 schedule.
Love Island has proven yet again to be the perfect format that engages younger audiences.
Rather than the Majorca-based villa viewers are used to, the winter Love Island will be filmed in Cape Town, South Africa.
The change in location is presumably down to temperatures during our winter months; Cape Town’s warmer climate will allow the show to keep those summer vibes going.
So if you’re single and looking to pull someone for a chat, now’s your chance.
🚨 CONFIRMED: Love Island will air for TWO series in 2020! 🚨
The next series will air in early 2020 with a new villa in SOUTH AFRICA! 🇿🇦 #LoveIsland pic.twitter.com/kHKsETHSxR
— Love Island 24/7 (@LoveIsland247) July 24, 2019
ITV’s official posting reads:
ITV2 are looking for vibrant singles from across the UK who want to head to the winter sun in search of love! Love Island will be back for 2020 and we’re now on the lookout for people to take part.
Our Islanders will spend time in a luxury villa in the hope of finding love, but to remain in paradise they must win the hearts of the public and their fellow Islanders, who ultimately decide their fate on Love Island.
Contestants must be 18 or older and applications close on November 30, 2019.
Though there’s no doubt Love Island does a great job of captivating audiences throughout the summer months, some fans believe two series in one year will be too much – after all, it would mean dedicating almost every night for 16 weeks of the year to the show.
Love islands good and everything but I feel like two series in 2020 will be too much
— Emma 🐊 (@Emma_04x) July 25, 2019
I love love island it’s an absolutely amazing show, but I’m not sure if they should do two series a year, they’re gonna kill it out quicker
— Kady (@kadymcdermottx) July 24, 2019
Loveisland doing two series a year is like when you have one packet of crisps and love it so have another and then half way through you start regretting it cos you realise you’re being a fat shit and really didn’t need that second packet
— hollie parsons (@holliemparsons) July 24, 2019
However, some people just can’t seem to get enough of watching people crack on and have expressed their delight at the announcement of the second series.
When we find out that love island is on for two series next year #Loveisland #loveisland2020 🙌😁 pic.twitter.com/aVOyEnLnpK
— Max Baylis (@MaxBaylis) July 24, 2019
So glad Love Island is back for two series’s next year! Can’t wait for The Winter Love Island to begin #loveisland
— Anmol Lakhani (@anmollakhani_) July 24, 2019
The continued success of the show would rely on creators coming up with fresh twists and turns to keep things interesting, as well as a good bunch of contestants for viewers to root for.
If you think you could win the hearts of the nation apply for winter Love Island 2020 here!
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to [email protected].
Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.