Davina McCall's new reality series, Stranded on Honeymoon Island, has been praised for its surprisingly endearing contestants. The show, which airs on BBC One and is available on iPlayer, follows 12 singles who are matched by matchmakers, married in a non-legally-binding ceremony in the Philippines, and then left on a nearby island for three weeks.
The format combines elements of Love Island and Married at First Sight, but reviewers note that unlike many reality dating shows, the participants are not instantly awful. Instead, they are described as 'gorgeously endearing', making it a rare beast fuelled by optimism rather than despair.
Early fan-favourite couples include effervescent Hannah and suit designer Sam, as well as Helen, a self-described 'Essex girl and raging lesbian', and her partner Abby. Viewers are also rooting for devout Christians David and Ini, despite David's awkward admission at the altar that he would have been equally happy with another woman.
The show features 12 hour-long episodes, with mystery crates arriving in later episodes to test the couples' compatibility. While McCall's on-screen presence is limited to the first few minutes, the series has been hailed as a fun, addictive addition to the autumn schedules.
