Love Island bosses are now accepting applications from singles via dating app Tinder, as they shake up the casting process ahead of the show’s summer return.
The ITV2 dating show was forced to take an unprecedented break in production last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic made logistics all but impossible to surmount.
But it will now be returning with quite the bang – and an updated recruitment drive – as they hope users of popular dating app swipe right for a chance to find love on TV.
Swipe right! Love Island bosses are now accepting applications from singles via dating app Tinder. Pictured are 2018 contestants (L-R) Meghan Barton Hanson and Dani Dyer
From Monday, singletons on Tinder can apply to join the cast of the show by making one Swipe Right in-app when they see Love Island among their stack of potential matches – allowing their profile to serve as their first audition.
If selected, they will be added to a ‘Priority List’ and guaranteed to be seen by the casting team – putting them one step closer to entering the famous villa.
Should the Tinder’s applicant’s profile is then selected by the Tinder team, Love Island hopefuls will be contacted via email by Tinder.
Sharing advice for applicants, ITV and Tinder stated: ‘1. TRUST IN YOUR SAUCE – When applying for the show be authentic; show off your unique personality by creating a bio that gives us the insight into the real you.
Dating pool: The ITV2 dating show was forced to take an unprecedented break in production last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic made logistics all but impossible to surmount.
‘2. IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU – Make sure you upload pictures that best represent you. And by you we mean just you! Ditch the group shots and go solo in front of the camera.
‘3. GOOD VIBES – Show off what you love to do in your spare time by telling us about your hobbies and interests, add in your Spotify anthems and generally a bit more about you.
‘4. LAY IT ON FACTOR 50 – The more you tell us, the more likely you are to get noticed. Make sure you select your ‘passions’ in your profile.
‘5. SERIOUSLY SINGLE – We need to see that you’ve been looking for love on Tinder. Have you matched on Tinder recently? If not, get on the app!’
It’s back! It was confirmed earlier this month that Love Island will return to television screens this summer (pictured host Laura Whitmore in January 2020)
Simon Daglish, ITV Deputy Managing Director, Commercial, said in a statement: ‘We love when brands like Tinder couple up with our programmes and it’s a perfect partner for the hugely anticipated return of Love Island this summer.
‘This is the first time we’ve worked with a dating app in this way and I’m sure Tinder members will be excited to get involved with the show.’
The news comes weeks after it was confirmed that Love Island will return to television screens this summer.
ITV released their bumper spring schedule at the start of March, after months of uncertainty if the show would return this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Return: The much-loved ITV2 programme will be back with a bang, with producers working on ‘every contingency plan’ to ensure this year’s series goes ahead
The show was axed last summer due to the novel coronavirus crisis, which took hold shortly after the first winter series ended in February 2020.
In an announcement, ITV said: ‘Love Island will return this summer. The team are working on every contingency plan manageable, so look out for more announcements on that very soon.’
ITV’s Managing Director of Media and Entertainment Kevin Lygo added: ‘There’s so much to look forward to on ITV this spring and into summer, with the Euros and the return of Love Island, but much more besides.’
Producers promise ‘more texts, fire pit gatherings and challenges’ with ‘lots of twists and turns along the way, with shock recouplings, unexpected splits and dramatic exits.’
To be confirmed: ITV have kept under wraps the exact location of where this year’s series will take place, due to the uncertainty of the pandemic (pictured the Love Island villa in Mallorca)
The dating show, narrated by Iain Stirling, follows a group of singletons, referred to as Islanders, living in isolation from the outside world in a villa in Mallorca who are constantly under video surveillance.
To survive in the villa the Islanders must couple up, whether it be for love, friendship or money, as the overall winning couple receives £50,000.
It is not known if winter host Laura Whitmore, who took over from Caroline Flack in presenting the series, will return for the summer programme as she is in her third trimester of pregnancy.
ITV have kept under wraps the exact location of where this year’s series will take place, due to the uncertainty of the pandemic.
Single and ready to mingle: The network released their bumper Spring schedule, after months of uncertainty if the show would return this year (pictured Winter 2020 islanders)
It has been reported Jersey has been secured for filming this summer if production cannot take place in the show’s usual location of Mallorca.
A source told The Mirror that bosses are hoping Jersey will be blessed with warm weather this summer should Love Island filming take place on the picturesque island.
They said: ‘The Channel Islands get plenty of sunshine so it makes sense to hold Love Island there if we can’t get back to Spain
‘Either way we’re going to put out a belting series. Viewers have missed Love Island for the whole of 2020 and they’re desperate to have it back. They’re going to love what we do, wherever we do it.’
A representative for Love Island declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.
Exciting: Sources claimed the Channel Island has been secured for filming this summer if production cannot take place in Mallorca due to the COVID pandemic
This comes despite reports last month stating that Love Island bosses had been considering Devon and Cornwall as alternative filming locations.
A source told The Sun at the time: ‘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.
‘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.’
It has been reported bosses are hunting for ‘brains as well as brawn’ as they are keen to include a key worker in the line-up due to the recognition.
Last time in the villa: The show debuted its first winter edition, filmed in South Africa, in January 2020, just as the global health crisis began ramping up
NHS doctor Alex George, 29, and pharmacist Anna, 30, were both hits with viewers after they appeared as contestants on the fourth series of the dating show in 2018.
Dr. Alex has been working tirelessly on the frontline throughout the pandemic, and was recently appointed as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador by Boris Johnson after speaking out following his brother’s death last year.
A source told The Sun On Sunday: ‘The team have had over 100,000 applications and have been looking for talent with a bit of edge.
‘Some of the best contestants over the years have been those who don’t just want to be famous – those with some real ambition, a solid career and a story to tell, especially of the key worker variety.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Love Island for comment.
The new series is rumoured to be the ‘biggest in history’, as excited ITV bosses gear up for the highly anticipated comeback later this year.
Looking for love: It has been reported bosses are hunting for ‘brains as well as brawn’ as they are keen to include a key worker in the line-up (pictured Dr Alex George in 2018)