Love Island is almost guaranteed to make a return this summer – but with Covid restrictions still up in the air, it’s not clear whether the stars will be able to jet off to Mallorca as usual. ITV producers are said to be eyeing up several different UK-based locations for this year’s villa, in case going abroad isn’t possible.
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Where will Love Island 2021 be filmed?
An insider who spoke to The Sun this weekend said:
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.
The source continued:
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. Of course, there are obvious weather restrictions with a UK location — and viewers will see a lot less skin.
Filming Love Island in the UK would certainly give the show a bit of a different vibe – with the British summertime far less reliable than sunny Mallorca. However, given the recent widespread backlash against influencers abroad, it’s understandable that producers are worried about upsetting fans.
Where is Barry Island?
Barry Island is a seaside resort in Wales. Formerly an actual island, it’s been linked to the mainland since the 1880s. Today it’s probably most famous for being the home of Stacey, Nessa, Gwen and Uncle Bryn in Gavin and Stacey. Much of the sitcom was shot there and Barry Island has also been used as a filming location for Being Human and Doctor Who.