ITV has issued a fresh update on the postponed launch of Love Island: All Stars, after dangerous wildfires in South Africa forced an evacuation of the production team and delayed the show's hotly anticipated return.
Production Halted Over Safety Concerns
The broadcaster confirmed on January 10 that filming for the reality TV show's third 'All Stars' series had to be postponed. The decision came after the production team was evacuated from the villa location in Franschhoek, on South Africa's Western Cape, due to ongoing wildfires in the region.
An initial statement from ITV emphasised that "health and safety is our greatest priority and will always come first". It concluded that filming could not proceed following an assessment of the site, pushing the transmission date back indefinitely.
Social Media Update Confirms Delay
On the evening of January 12, the official Love Island Instagram account posted a follow-up statement. It served as a "reminder" that the launch show had been delayed, with no confirmed new date provided.
The announcement read: "Just a reminder that the Love Island launch show has been delayed due to wild fires near the villa in South Africa. Everyone is safe though and we're working on bringing you an iconic series, so keep an eye on our socials and we'll let you know the new launch date as soon as we can."
Schedule Changes and Replacement Programming
As a result of the delay, ITV bosses had to swiftly rearrange their schedule. The 9pm slot on ITV2 for Monday, January 12, which was meant to air the launch, was instead filled by the Love Island: A Decade of Love anniversary special. This programme was first released in June 2025.
Looking ahead, the Radio Times schedule indicates that the planned 9pm episode for Tuesday, January 13 will also not go ahead. Instead, The 1% Club is listed to air in its place on ITV2.
While fans are left waiting for a new launch date, the primary reassurance from ITV remains that all individuals involved in the production are safe. The network has promised to announce the revised plans for the Love Island All Stars series via its social media channels in due course.
