ITV has signalled a potential new start date for the delayed launch of Love Island: All Stars, offering hope to disappointed fans after the opening episode was pulled from the schedule at the last minute.
Production Halted by South African Wildfires
The highly anticipated celebrity edition of the hit dating show was postponed just days before its planned launch, with ITV bosses citing "health and safety" as the paramount concern. The decision was made after the production team was evacuated from the filming location due to severe wildfires sweeping through parts of South Africa's Western and Eastern Cape.
In an official statement, ITV confirmed the delay, explaining: "Further to a production evacuation owing to ongoing wildfires in the area, our assessment of the location site has concluded that filming will need to be postponed." The broadcaster emphasised that transmission would be delayed until a date could be confirmed, leaving viewers in the dark about when the series would begin.
A New Target Date Emerges
According to a source speaking to The Mirror, there is now optimism behind the scenes. "Bosses are hoping to resume filming on Wednesday, January 14," the insider revealed, while cautioning that the situation remains fluid and is being closely monitored. The source added that crews have been working to ensure the site is safe for both the production team and the islanders.
If filming does restart on that date, it opens the possibility for the first episode to air as early as Thursday night, getting the much-hyped series back on track swiftly. The initial postponement caused significant logistical issues, with a source describing it as a "nightmare" for the crew on their critical 'get in' day, where final preparations are made to keep contestants separated before entering the villa.
Ongoing Firefighting Efforts in the Region
The wildfires that prompted the shutdown have been fuelled by strong winds and high temperatures. Fire services reported last week that while progress had been made, blazes in the Langrug and Franschhoek areas of the Boland were still burning 'out of control'.
Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services planned a military flight to assess the fire's full extent and direction. They confirmed that a separate fire in Stormsvlei continued to burn with an active front of approximately 2km, requiring fresh ground teams. Fortunately, a fire at De Wet Cellar in Worcester was successfully contained, with no damage to infrastructure or injuries reported from any of the incidents.
The All Stars series is set to feature a host of fan favourites from previous seasons, including Millie Court, Shaq Muhammad, and Whitney Adebayo, who will all be hoping for a smoother journey to the villa once production resumes.
