Summer may feel like lifetime ago now, but there's no forgetting the blissful eight weeks we spent sitting in pub gardens, having picnics, attending barbecues... and watching Love Island.
Yes, the hit ITV dating show pretty much took over our lives for a period, as we watched Michael Griffiths flitting between Amber and Joanna, Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury falling in love, and Maura Higgins real-time fanny flutters.
Exiting then that soon after series five ended in August, the broadcaster announced two series of the show were coming in 2020, with the first coming just after the new year and moving to a brand new abode in South Africa.
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At the time, Paul Mortimer, Head of Digital Channels and Acquisitions at ITV said: "Off the back of a record-breaking year, we're delighted to be bringing an extra series of our biggest and sunniest show to the 2020 schedule."
"Love Island has proven yet again to be the perfect format that engages younger audiences. In response to this viewer appetite, a new batch of young singletons will deliver some highly anticipated post-Christmas romance and drama from our new and luxurious location."
While ITV is keeping tight-lipped about the changes to the format (if any), the contestants, and the new villa, there a few juicy details we can share - including a leaked release date.
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Where is it being held?
Perhaps the most exciting piece of information we have about Love Island's winter edition is the brand spanking new location: Cape Town, South Africa.
Details about the villa are being kept under tight wraps, but it's been reported the production team have commissioned a brand new villa to be built in the African country's legislative capital - so you can bet it'll be luxe.
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Those who watched will remember that ITV's short-lived dating show Survival of the Fittest - which was hosted by Laura Whitmore and was axed after one series in 2018 - was set in Limpopo, a province in the north of the country.
It's not yet known if the new villa will be located in the same area, but sources told The Mirror the proaction team definitely won't be using the discarded digs.
"It won't be the old Survival of the Fittest lodge - it will be a new villa," the said.
When is it on?
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While ITV hasn't confirmed the official release date, it's been leaked that the love-in is due to start on Wednesday 8th January.
"The new winter Love Island will launch the second week of January," a sourced told MailOnline.
"Bosses are still deciding on the final date but it is thought to be January 8 - a week after staff arrive in South Africa. It has been decided that the show will run for six weeks instead of the usual eight.
"The new cast of singletons fly out just days before the launch but bosses work with test Islanders to uncover the best spots in the villa to create drama."
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Tyla contacted ITV and the channel confirmed the rumoured release date was only speculated at this stage.
Amy Hart, a contestant from this summer's Love Island, echoes details about the format.
"It is going to be two six week series next year. The summer series will also be six weeks because of Euro 2020, apparently," she said.
"I think the winter series will be the most-watched show ever. It's in a brand new villa and no one wants to go out in January, no one has any money!"
Who is hosting it?
Fans who don't like change will be pleased to know Caroline Flack will be flying to South Africa to host the winter edition, too.
Yes, The Flack is back and she'll be joined by narrator Iain Stirling, the Scottish voice behind the series' most hilarious moments.
Do we know any of the contestants?
Short answer: no.
None of this year's contestants have been revealed, though as usual, they'll sourced through a mixture of applications and scouted via social media. Contestants will then have to go through round of auditions before they are confirmed for the show.
Interestingly, a glimpse into the audition process was given by an unlikely source last month. Labour MP Andrew Gwynne has been visiting Salford's Media City when he stumbled across a queue of auditionees.
He wrote: "Heaven or Hell? Arrive at ITV @MediaCityUK to the joys of @LoveIsland auditions!"
Could we be looking at 2020's answer to Molly-Mae?
How do I apply?
On that note, applications for the winter edition are currently open, and will be until their closing date on 30th November 2019.
ITV2 bosses are calling for 'vibrant singles' from across the UK to ditch the dull British weather and head across the pond in the search for true love.
"The chosen cast will spend time in a luxury villa, getting to know one another, but to remain in paradise they must win the hearts of the public and their fellow Islanders who ultimately decide their fate on Love Island," it says on the application form, which you can download here.
In order to be eligible for the show, applicants must be at least 18 years of age before the closing date of 30th November 2019, and must have a passport that is valid for the whole period of 1st December 2019 to 30th June 2020.
Love Island has now been commissioned in a total of 13 countries, including the UK.
Last year, the format launched in Australia and across the Nordics; Finland and Sweden, while this summer the series kicked-off in the U.S., Belgium as well as Holland.
It is also set to debut in Poland and Hungary while it will return for a third series in Germany.
Featured Image Credit: ITVTopics: Entertainment News, TV Entertainment, Love Island
