ITV's Love Island All Stars has finally launched, bringing a fresh batch of familiar faces to a South African villa for a second shot at love and fame. The series, which began on 15 January 2026, faced an unexpected four-day delay due to nearby wildfires, but the drama and financial incentives for contestants are hotter than ever.
Bigger Paydays for Returning Islanders
While romance is the stated goal, the financial rewards for the All Stars cast are significantly sweeter this time around. Reports confirm that each islander is now banking a substantial £3,500 per week for their stay in the villa. This marks a dramatic increase from the £2,000 weekly fee they received during their original series appearances.
According to a source speaking to The Sun, this tidy sum is on top of the potential career boost the show provides. "Whilst most of the all star islanders can command that for one Instagram post, it’s still a tidy pay day for sitting in the sun and finding love," they said. The lucrative weekly fee is reportedly being honoured despite the production delay, meaning contestants were paid for a full week even before officially entering the villa.
Villa Dynamics and Explosive Entrances
The winter series features a line-up of returning favourites including Jess Harding, Whitney Adebeyo, Tommy Bradley, and Millie Court. However, true to Love Island form, the peace was quickly shattered by a late-arriving bombshell. Scott van-der-Sluis, 25, entered the villa and immediately targeted fellow contestant Sean Stone with a series of cutting remarks.
"You were one of the worst Islanders I've ever seen," Scott snipped, before adding a particularly crude insult about Stone's past behaviour. The confrontation left Stone visibly confused and reportedly close to tears, while viewers at home took to social media to label Scott's actions as "vile" and "bullying." One viewer criticised the "Big Bully Vibes," questioning why Scott was attacking someone he didn't know personally.
Prize Pots and Future Prospects
Beyond the guaranteed weekly earnings, the ultimate incentive remains the £50,000 prize pot for the winning couple. While the Love Island fee may not match the sums offered on some other reality TV formats, the real value for these All Stars lies in the renewed publicity and social media clout that a successful stint can bring.
The combination of heightened fees, existing fan bases, and the intense scrutiny of a second chance makes this All Stars series a high-stakes venture for its contestants. With fees already secured and drama unfolding rapidly, the islanders are playing for more than just love; they're investing in their futures in the spotlight.
