The explosive return of Love Island: All Stars is finally upon us, but not before a major delay and the revelation of secret pre-villa contact that promises immediate fireworks. The ITV spin-off, which brings back fan favourites from previous series, launches tonight, Thursday 15 January 2026, after its planned Monday debut was scuppered.
Wildfires Cause Major Production Halt
The highly anticipated series faced an unexpected and dramatic setback before filming could properly begin. Wildfires in South Africa forced the complete evacuation of the luxury villa, bringing production to an abrupt standstill. This unforeseen event led ITV to postpone the launch from Monday to tonight, with host Maya Jama still at the helm to guide the returning islanders through their second shot at love.
Secret Messages Spark Instant Villa Tension
Viewers won't have to wait long for the first dose of drama. In a stunning early revelation, contestant Tommy will confess to host Maya Jama that he and fellow islander Jess have already been in contact. "I've never met Jess but we've been messaging recently… we tried to meet up a few times," he states, setting the scene for instant conflict.
Jess, however, appears completely blindsided by the admission, responding with a confused, "Did we?" This awkward exchange is set to ripple through the villa from the very first moments. The plot thickens further with the news that another contestant, Ciaran, had also previously exchanged messages with Jess, creating a potential love triangle before the first coupling.
What to Expect from the All Stars Series
This special iteration of the UK's biggest reality dating show gathers some of the most memorable personalities from its history. All are back under the sun, vying for a second chance at romance and a share of the coveted prize fund. With pre-existing histories and now-revealed behind-the-scenes communication, the dynamics are poised to be more complex and volatile than ever.
The combination of familiar faces, a disrupted start, and pre-villa secrets guarantees that Love Island: All Stars will hit the ground running with maximum tension when it airs tonight on ITV2 and ITVX.
