The Love Island contestants are officially isolating in Spain ahead of the start date.
ITV 2 has confirmed the show will start on Monday 28th June at 9pm, with the cast and crew now said to be already out there.
After two series were called off in 2020 due to the pandemic, there are some new things in place this year. With auditions having to go online, ITV bosses banned the submission of filtered photos from potential Islanders.
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And while we've been promised a more diverse lineup this season, there are unlikely to be any gay Islanders this time, due to "logistical challenges" with the show's format.
There's also a brand new game to look forward to, which allows viewers to experience the Love Island drama for themselves. The I've Got A Text! App is available to download now.
As always, Islanders have been warned not to have sex onscreen, no matter how horny they're feeling after a year of lockdown. Ex On The Beach's Jess Impiazzi, it will "never go away."
And, there are now reports that the BBC will introduce a new dating show to rival Love Island.
Love Island bosses introduce fresh duty of care protocols for new series
ITV has confirmed its duty of care protocols towards Islanders, which are regularly updated "in line with the the increasing popularity of the show and the level of social media and media attention around the islanders," the TV network said.
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The protocols for the 2021 series include pre-filming and filming care and aftercare:
- Comprehensive psychological support
- Training for all Islanders on the impacts of social media and handling potential negativity
- Training for all Islanders on financial management
- Detailed conversations with Islanders regarding the impact of participation on the show
- A proactive aftercare package which extends support to all islanders following their participation on the show
- Guidance and advice on taking on management after the show
The full duty of care statement can be found on ITV's website.
ITV bosses have really ramped up their duty of care to contestants in recent years, after the show was linked to three suicides, including that of presenter Caroline Flack.
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Each contestant now has to undergo an intensive psych analysis before they're asked to come on the show and ITV has also got support in place for contestants once they've left the show.
But Piers Morgan caused some controversy when he criticised the care package on Twitter and called the contestants "dimwits."
Love Island 2021 lineup
Nothing's been confirmed by ITV2 yet, but below is the list of people we think will be occupying the villa this summer.
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This year could also see the first Islander with a visible disability, as the ITV casting crew are keen to make the lineup more diverse. Word has it that they've approach para-athlete and influencer Milly Pickles.
From para-athlete to fire eater, this year's contestants have a range of talents.
Milly Pickles
Since losing her leg in an accident a few years ago, Milly Pickles has embraced her life as a para-athlete and influencer.
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She models for GymShark and Free Train, as well as fashion brands such as I Saw It First, and has more than 25,000 followers on Instagram.
Speaking about her accident, Milly wrote: "If I could go back & change what happened, I wouldn't. It has changed my life for the better, opened up so many opportunities & altered the way I view life."
The Sun reports that Love Island bosses have approached Milly about coming on this year's show.
Lucinda Strafford
The ex-girlfriend of footballer Aaron Connolly is getting the ultimate break-up revenge.
Much to the Aaron's dismay, Lucinda Strafford, a former air hostess, has started telling friends she's set to go in the villa.
The sexy brunette hopes being on Love Island will give her the boost she needs to become a successful influencer and promote her brand - The Luxe Range.
Lucy Plunkett
Dubliner Lucy Plunkett will apparently stir things up if she does go into the villa this year.
A friend told Belfast Live that the 20-year-old fashion brand owner knows her own mind and is very picky when it comes to who she dates.
A friend told the news publication that she might not be everybody's cup of tea, but once you get to know her, she's a girls girl.
After being heartbroken by her long-term boyfriend, she's ready to find love again.
Holly Ramsay
Rumours about Gordon Ramsay's 21-year-old daughter, Holly, appearing on the show have been on and off.
What we do know is the model is a favourite of the Love Island producers.
She had previously denied rumours about appearing in the 2021 line-up, but it's reported she's cancelled some modelling work this summer... coincidence?
Zack Chugg
Zack Chugg, second-year dental student, has been added to the rumoured cast for Love Island 2021. The 21-year-old is currently studying at the University of Leeds.
Zack shares fitness, weight loss and skincare advice with his 6,900 Instagram followers after completing his own weightloss journey. His healthy fat loss-inducing meals certainly beat the student go-to of beans on toast!
Zack is a fitness model and ambassador for MyFit UK. Leeds Live have reported that Zack will be entering the villa a few episodes in - no doubt turning a few heads in the process.
Aimee-Rose Francis
With almost 85,000 followers on Instagram, fashion influencer Aimee-Rose Francis, 29, has already got quite the status.
The self-proclaimed digital creator owns her own jewellery brand and says on her website she enjoys "long lunches and champagne cocktails" - so she'll do well on those cozy little Love Island picnics.
A Love Island source told The Sun: "Producers are nearly there with their cast and Aimee is top of their list.
Toluwa Adepeju
Watch out ladies, there could be another hot doctor in the Love Island villa if this rumour is true.
Toluwa Adepeju is a junior doctor working on the frontline. He uses his 11,600-strong Instagram following to advocate COVID-19 safety (and kindly share photos of his fine physique).
Back in season 4, we had the lovely and popular Dr Alex George looking for love and although he wasn't successful in the show, he's been bossing it on TV and social media ever since. He's done a lot of campaigning around mental health awareness and has appeared on TV several times to talk about the pandemic.
An ITV2 source told The Sun: "He's led from the very front - in hospital and online, educating people of the risks and the need to get vaccinated.
"He is a perfect pick."
Could Adepeju be Love Island's next nice guy?
Alexis Bailey
Aerial dancer and fire-eater, Alexis Bailey, is another contender for the show. The 21-year-old has 15.8 thousand followers on Instagram and is no stranger to strutting her stuff in the bare minimum. She's also got a steamy OnlyFans account.
"She loves sex and is always talking about it. She's very open about it but is incredibly likeable and loves to party," a source told The Sun.
"There are no limits as far as she is concerned and she very much wears her heart on her sleeve. It's fair to say she will bring some heat to the villa."
Harley Benn
"He's had video meetings with the casting team and everyone is very excited at the prospect of having him on the show," the source added. But nothing has been confirmed by ITV2 yet.
Alisha LeMay
Self-proclaimed "plant-based human," Alisha LeMay, was a contender for the Winter Love Island cast, according to the MailOnline.
"Alisha is exactly the type of contestant ITV2 are looking for - she's gorgeous, body confident and isn't afraid to be herself," an insider told MailOnline." She already works as an influencer and has collaborated with brands like PrettyLittleThing, Missguided and ASOS, which all becomes part in parcel of being a Love Island star," they added.
"She's an advocate of body positivity and often admits on her Instagram to never wanting to be perfect, which is an important message to young viewers of the show too."
James Price
Recruitment consultant, James Price, is no stranger to flirting with Love Islanders; he's already tried chatting up season 5's Lucie Donlan, according to MailOnline.
Originally from Worcester, the 23-year-old is described as a 'Chelsea party boy' by the papers, who tried to crack on with Lucie before she went on the ITV2 show.
A source told MailOnline that "James is in final talks with producers and they're really keen on signing him this year."
"'He's cheeky, fun and handsome - and will be a sure-fire hit with the female contestants, while he's also on the lookout for his dream girl." the source added. "Lucie Donlan is his type on paper, he's even tried to pursue her in the past."
We'll have to wait and see who fits the bill for James.
Ellis Iyayi
Like Alisha, Ellis was also rumoured to be in the Winter Love Island , which never went ahead. The model, who's worked with GymShark, "can't wait to get in the villa," according to a source who spoke to The Sun about his Winter Love Island appearance last year.
"Ellis is exactly what the show is looking for and he ticks all the boxes - he will make great television," the source added at the time.
Jay Munro
Fashion model Jay Munro - another rumoured Winter Love Island contender - has been described as the next Tommy Fury on the show.
"Jay will be the one all the girls will be chasing," a source told The Daily Star. "Just like Tommy Fury, he's a sportsman, in good shape and has dreamy looks. The brown-haired hunk has already proven his chops on TV."
None of these contestants have been confirmed by ITV2 yet, but we'll let you know once we're told more. Hopefully they won't keep us waiting for too long.
Love Island comes to ITV2 on Monday 28th June at 9pm.
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Featured Image Credit: Instagram/aimazin/jdr.tolu/millypickles1Topics: TV and Entertainment, Love Island