Filming for the highly anticipated winter series of Love Island: All Stars is poised to restart this week, following a dramatic evacuation of the show's South African villa due to nearby wildfires. The launch of the ITV2 spin-off, which was scheduled for Monday, 12 January 2026, has been officially postponed.
Production Halted Over Safety Fears
The decision to delay the series was announced by ITV over the weekend of 10-11 January, citing paramount health and safety concerns. Production had already begun when fires erupted in the Western Cape region, leading to the evacuation of thousands of local residents. On Saturday 10 January, ITV confirmed the postponement, stating that the transmission would be delayed until a new date could be confirmed.
Authorities in South Africa provided an update on Sunday 11 January, noting that while progress was being made in containing one major fire, battling the second remained a significant challenge. The independent production team behind the show is now actively working to get cameras rolling again, though a definitive new air date for the series has not yet been set.
Cast and Format Questions Remain
The disruption has left questions about the series format unanswered. It is currently unclear if the number of episodes will be reduced to allow the finale to air as originally planned in the broadcasting schedule. The show, now in its third All Stars edition, is hosted as usual by Maya Jama.
The line-up for 2026 had already been revealed, featuring 12 former Islanders seeking love once more. The cast includes:
- Leanne Amaning, a fan favourite from series six.
- Jack Keating, son of singer Ronan Keating, from series eight.
- Millie Court, who won series seven with her then-partner Liam Reardon.
A Proven Track Record for Romance
The All Stars format has a strong history of creating lasting connections. The inaugural 2024 season was won by Tom Clare and Molly Smith, who took their relationship to the next level by getting engaged in September of last year, proving the series can lead to genuine romance beyond the villa.
ITV has reiterated that the safety of all cast and crew is its absolute priority, and filming will only proceed when it is deemed completely safe to do so. Fans of the reality juggernaut will now be awaiting further announcements regarding the new launch date for the delayed series.
