ITV has been forced to delay the highly anticipated launch of Love Island: All Stars after dangerous wildfires in South Africa prompted an evacuation of the show's villa and disrupted production plans.
Production Halted Amid Safety Concerns
Filming for the new series was scheduled to begin over the weekend, with the launch episode due to air on Monday evening. However, these plans were abruptly scrapped as wildfires raged in areas close to the villa, located in the Ludus Magnus Estate about an hour from Cape Town.
In a statement shared on Instagram on Monday night, ITV confirmed the postponement, stating: 'Just a reminder that the Love Island launch show has been delayed due to wild fires near the villa in South Africa. Everyone is safe though and we're working on bringing you an iconic series.' The broadcaster added that a new launch date is still to be confirmed.
Financial and Logistical Fallout
The delay is reportedly costing ITV over £15,000 an hour due to commitments to crew, staff, camera operators, and psychologists who are already on the ground in South Africa awaiting their duties. Host Maya Jama is also in Cape Town, having flown out last week.
The twelve confirmed Islanders, including former winners Millie Court and Tommy Bradley, are currently staying in high-end accommodations alongside a number of unannounced 'bombshells'. A source told The Sun: '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.'
Hope for a Wednesday Restart
While an official air date remains undecided, reports suggest producers are hoping to finally kickstart filming on Wednesday. This follows a previous assessment on Saturday which concluded that filming needed to be postponed following the precautionary evacuation.
The wildfires have been burning across the Western and Eastern Cape, exacerbated by high temperatures and dry conditions, leading to evacuations in several local areas. ITV has emphasised that health and safety is the greatest priority and will always come first.
