ITV recently celebrated the end of the 13th series of its Love Island revival, but the show's origins go back much further. Some fans are only just discovering that today's format is actually a reboot of Celebrity Love Island.
The original series ran for two seasons, in 2005 and 2006, featuring 12 single celebrities who spent five weeks on a Fiji island. The victorious pair walked away with a joint £100,000 prize. Patrick Kielty and Kelly Brook hosted the first series, with Fearne Cotton stepping in as presenter for the second.
How Celebrity Love Island differed
In the early format, viewers voted for the couple they wanted to see in the 'love shack' - similar to today's hideaway but with greater pressure for a romantic bond. The public eliminated celebrities during the first series, while in the second run the Islanders themselves held the deciding vote.
The follow-up series also made contestants prepare their own meals and clean up after themselves, in direct response to complaints that they were simply enjoying a luxury break. The show additionally featured 'House Guests', who were not subject to eviction or the cash prize but could secure votes into the Love Shack.
Who starred in the original series
Among the celebrities were models, soap opera stars, chart-toppers, reality TV figures and Strictly professional Brendan Cole. Calum Best and Hollyoaks star Paul Danan appeared in both series, and also made brief appearances in the 2015 revival of Love Island.
Notable House Guests included basketball legend Dennis Rodman, Five singer Abs Breen and Jackass performer Steve-O.
Fans discover the inspiration
Writing on the Love Island UK subreddit, one person admitted: "Today I learned that Love Island (2015-current) was actually rebooted from a 2005 series called Celebrity Love Island." Some viewers still look back fondly on the original attempt, with one dubbing it 'iconic' and 'wild'.
Fans call for a modern celebrity version
Reacting to the post, one fan suggested bringing it back in the style of Celebrity Traitors, commenting: "They need to bring it back and have it as an actual celebrity Love Island! ! !" Another agreed: "Yes! when they put in one random celeb like Joey Essex it throws off the whole vibe but I'd be so down for them doing a modern day full celeb cast."
Someone else argued: "Look, you don't need to cast young adults for there to be drama." While another fan recalled: "I remember this being on the TV, it meant it was my bed time."
Love Island is streaming on ITVX.
