Love Island bosses are said to be on the hunt for ‘brains as well as brawn’ as they continue their search for potential contestants for the upcoming series.
Producers are reportedly keen to include a key worker in the line-up due to the recognition they have received for their hard work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
NHS doctor Alex George, 29, and solicitor Rosie Williams, 29, were both hits with viewers after they appeared as contestants on the fourth series of the dating show in 2018.
Looking for key workers: Love Island bosses are said to be on the hunt for ‘brains as well as brawn’ as they continue their search for potential contestants for the upcoming series
Popular: NHS doctor Alex George, 29, and solicitor Rosie Williams, 29, were both hits with viewers after they appeared as contestants on the fourth series of the dating show in 2018
Dr. Alex has been working tirelessly on the frontline throughout the pandemic, and was recently appointed as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador by Boris Johnson after speaking out following his brother’s death last year.
A source told The Sun On Sunday: ‘The team have had over 100,000 applications and have been looking for talent with a bit of edge.
‘Some of the best contestants over the years have been those who don’t just want to be famous – those with some real ambition, a solid career and a story to tell, especially of the key worker variety.’
Hard at work: Dr. Alex has been working tirelessly on the frontline throughout the pandemic, and was recently appointed as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador by Boris Johnson after speaking out following his brother’s death last year
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Love Island for comment.
Love Island has not aired since February 2020 after both the summer 2020 and winter 2021 editions were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bosses have reportedly been swamped with over 100,000 applications for the upcoming series, which be broadcast this summer.
Off the air: Love Island has not aired since February 2020 after both the summer 2020 and winter 2021 editions were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
The new series is rumoured to be the ‘biggest in history’, as excited ITV bosses gear up for the highly anticipated comeback later this year.
It’s said producers are optimistic that plans can go ahead for the series in July and August, with strict safety provisions in place in the villa.
However, one of the top bosses of the show recently admitted that it might not be able to go ahead this year.
Hopeful comeback: The new series is rumoured to be the ‘biggest in history’, as excited ITV bosses gear up for the highly anticipated comeback later this year
Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive at ITV, was asked recently where the show stands, to which she replied: ‘I genuinely don’t know.’
As reports The Sun, McCall added: ‘We will want to put Love Island on air because it’s been off air for a while. We didn’t do it last summer.
‘We are looking at all our options at the moment. The pandemic makes it hard.’
It might not happen: However, one of the top bosses of the show recently admitted that it might not be able to go ahead this year
The series usually films in Majorca, with the first winter edition shot in South Africa. But travel to both locations are currently disallowed, with Brits unsure as to what summer 2021 will hold.
It was also reported that the series could be filmed in Devon or Cornwall, as show bosses prepare to change locations to the UK seaside this year.
According to reports, those behind the scenes have been keen to line-up some locations on home shores after the show was postponed last year.
Travel off limits: The series usually films in Majorca, with the first winter edition shot in South Africa. But travel to both locations are currently disallowed, with Brits unsure as to what summer 2021 will hold
A source told The Sun: ‘As a precautionary measure, producers have looked at several UK sites to hold the series, so if travel restrictions remain strict they have a back-up plan.
‘Cornwall has been optioned, as well as Torquay, the Isles of Scilly and even Barry Island, where Gavin and Stacey was filmed.
‘ITV bosses are also worried about a fan backlash against the show if contestants are allowed to go away claiming work reasons but the rest of the country is still stuck at home.’
Moving to the UK? It was also reported that the series could be filmed in Devon or Cornwall, as show bosses prepare to change locations to the UK seaside this year