Fans of the hit reality show Love Island have been left in suspense after the launch of its highly anticipated All Stars series was unexpectedly postponed. The delay was forced by devastating wildfires that broke out perilously close to the show's villa location in South Africa's Western Cape.
Production Halted on Safety Grounds
Filming for the third series of Love Island: All Stars was scheduled to commence over the weekend of 10-11 January 2026. However, ITV was compelled to evacuate the production crew and postpone shooting after fires, fuelled by sweltering 34C temperatures and powerful gusts, erupted less than two miles from the villa in the Franschhoek wine region.
A spokesperson for ITV confirmed the decision, stating: "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 spokesperson added that the assessment of the location site concluded filming must be postponed following the evacuation.
Maya Jama's Cryptic Social Media Post
With production on hold, the show's presenter, Maya Jama, has been spending her unexpected downtime in Cape Town. She recently sent her followers into a frenzy by sharing a series of sun-drenched photographs on Instagram, showcasing her physique in a two-piece swimsuit while going bare-faced.
The post, however, featured a notably cryptic caption consisting solely of a clock emoji. Fans and commentators, including the Daily Star, have speculated the symbol signifies the anxious wait to resume filming and re-enter the iconic villa. Admirers flooded the comments, with one writing, "Beautiful pic," and another exclaiming, "I just can't cope, wow."
Contestants Safe as Crew Monitors Situation
An insider revealed to the Daily Star that while this is a "massive nightmare for ITV," everyone involved is safe. The contestants are currently under the care of individual chaperones, while Maya Jama is staying at a private villa. The production team is monitoring the situation closely and will decide when it is safe for the islanders to enter the villa.
The same source indicated that bosses were due to take another call on the situation, with hopes still high that the series could air later in the week. The first two seasons of Love Island All Stars remain available to stream on ITVX, but an updated start date for Series 3 is yet to be announced by the broadcaster.
