EXCLUSIVE: The Love Island winter series will be AXED for the second time and will be replaced by a brand new All Stars season in early 2024
The Love Island winter series has been canceled for the second time due to low viewing figures, MailOnline can exclusively reveal.
But fans of the ITV2 dating show won’t have to wait a whole year to get their Love Island fix with a brand new All Stars season set to air in early 2024.
ITV bosses had hoped Maya Jama would pull back the winter series’ sharply declining ratings, but despite the presenter’s popularity, the show, filmed in South Africa, failed to resonate with viewers on the same scale as it did in the summer.
The first winter series aired in 2020 but was canceled until this year when Maya, 28, took over from former presenter Laura Whitmore, 38.
And now TV insiders have confirmed to MailOnline that the winter series will be replaced by the All Stars season next year, featuring Love Island contestants from previous shows filmed not only in the UK, but also in the US and Australia.
The Love Island winter series has been canceled for the second time due to low viewing figures, MailOnline can exclusively reveal
Fans of the ITV2 dating show won’t have to wait a whole year to get their Love Island fix with a brand new All Stars season set to air in early 2024
A source told MailOnline that former stars of the show who are now married, such as fan favorite Olivia Attwood, will play a role in the All Stars series
A source revealed: ‘Love Island’s winter series has been canceled for the second time…viewers just aren’t interested in seeing the show twice a year.
It will be replaced by a brand new All Stars series, featuring former islanders still looking for love.
“In terms of iconic Love Island stars now happily married, including Olivia Attwood, producers are looking at cameo appearances so they still include fan favorites from years gone by.”
MailOnline understands that the All Stars series will be filmed in South Africa and casting producers are currently recruiting some of the show’s former stars to apply.
Megan Barton-Hanson, 29, who rose to fame in the 2018 series, is believed to be taking part, while Georgia Steel, 25, known for her slogan “I’m loyal,” is also high on the wish list.
Maura Higgins, 32, star of the 2019 series, was approached but has ruled herself out as she is now in a relationship with Hollywood stunt double Bobby Holland Hanton.
She said this month, “I don’t ever see myself doing that again, no. I was asked, but I said no. I just think, I did it once, I had my time on Love Island. I don’t really want to go back in time, I want to look to the future.’
An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline: “Love Island will return to ITV2 and ITVX in 2024.”
Bosses had hoped Maya Jama would pull back the winter series’ declining ratings, but despite the presenter’s popularity, the show, filmed in South Africa, failed to resonate with viewers.
Maura Higgins, star of the 2019 series, was approached but has ruled herself as she is now in a relationship with Hollywood stunt double Bobby Holland Hanton
Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan won the winter show this year while Paige Turley and Finn Tapp earned the title in 2020
Bosses have spent the past two years trying out the concept of bringing back famous islanders by revisiting Adam Collard and Kady McDermott, as well as stars from the show abroad, including Jess Wynter, who first rose to prominence in the Australian series.
Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan won the winter show this year while Paige Turley and Finn Tapp earned the title in 2020.
This year’s summer series comes to an end tonight with frontrunners Whitney Adebayo and Lochan Nowacki taking home the £50,000 prize.
They are joined in the final by Molly Marsh and Zachariah Noble, Ella Thomas and Tyrique Hyde, and Sammy Root and Jess Harding.