Former Love Island contestant Jess Shears has revealed behind-the-scenes secrets of the show, claiming that contestants are offered more alcohol on first dates to help them 'loosen up and be flirtatious'. The 25-year-old model, who found love on the show with Dom Lever, told Closer magazine that while alcohol was generally rationed to three small glasses of wine per night, first dates were an exception.
Shears explained that producers wanted to avoid contestants being 'out-of-control drunk', but on celebration nights or when new islanders arrived, a few bottles of bubbly were provided. 'One-on-one dates would always have more booze though, especially a first date - they wanted to loosen you up a bit and be more flirtatious,' she said.
Series two star Scott Thomas, 29, added that producers give contestants pep talks and 'confidence boosts' to pursue love interests. He also revealed that if a conversation went particularly well, it might be filmed again to get the right angle. Thomas described the experience as being under 'villa arrest', with contestants only allowed out for dates or group days.
Shears admitted that many contestants had meltdowns about missing family and friends, and she 'wasn't surprised' about Niall Aslam leaving the villa due to stress and anxiety, confessing she too found the show 'really tough'.
Former islander Olivia Attwood previously suggested that contestants sometimes sneak off during days off, recalling that she and other girls ran away to a bar for shots, getting into trouble with producers.
A Love Island spokesperson said that occasionally islanders have been taken out of the villa for activities like beauty treatments, but this is at producers' discretion and done on an ad hoc basis. The majority of dates, which are filmed, take place away from the villa.
