ITV's highly anticipated return of Love Island All Stars has been thrown into chaos after the first episode was cancelled due to dangerous wildfires in South Africa. The reality series was scheduled to premiere on Monday, January 12, but fans will now have to wait indefinitely.
Production Evacuated as Fires Rage
Filming at the luxury villa was abruptly halted and the production site evacuated as wildfires, fuelled by strong winds and high temperatures, swept through the region. The show is filmed at the Ludus Magnus villa, a 25-acre estate in the Franschhoek wine valley in the Western Cape.
A source revealed to The Mirror that crew members were "understandably worried" and had been instructed to stay in their hotels while welfare teams offered support. ITV issued a statement confirming the delay, stressing that health and safety is the greatest priority and will always come first.
Wildfires Burn "Out of Control" Near Villa
The wildfires have impacted both the Western and Eastern Cape regions of South Africa. While fire services reported progress in some areas by Friday, January 9, blazes in the Langrug and Franschhoek areas of the Boland region were still described as burning "out of control".
The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services told SABC News they planned a military flight to assess the full extent of the fires and determine their direction. The villa's location, an hour's drive from Cape Town, is typically used for the UK winter editions of Love Island due to the warmer climate.
What Happens Next for Love Island?
ITV has stated that the transmission of Love Island: All Stars will be delayed until a date to be confirmed. The network has not yet provided a new schedule for the show, which is set to feature returning islanders like Shaq Muhammad, Whitney Adebayo, and Millie Court, and is hosted by Maya Jama.
The postponement represents a significant logistical and programming shake-up for ITV2, which had heavily promoted the All Stars launch. The decision underscores the serious and unpredictable nature of the wildfire situation in South Africa.
