When does winter Love Island start, who is hosting and can I still apply?
LOVE Island is officially back on January 12 for the first of TWO seasons of the show in 2020.
The winter version of the ITV2 hit show will be broadcast from South Africa as a whole new bunch of singletons fly out looking for love.
When does winter Love Island 2020 start?
The new winter series is starting on Sunday, January 12, 2020 on ITV2 – that’ll definitely melt away our winter blues.
After the first episode is aired at 9pm you can catch the programme at the same time each night throughout the week.
It is the sixth season of the popular reality TV show – and the first of two series to be aired in 2020.
Love Island usually airs every night with a recap on the week’s events on a Saturday.
For the 2020 winter edition, Love Island: Aftersun will air every Monday at 10pm after the main show has finished.
Who is hosting Love Island 2020?
Following Caroline Flack’s alleged row with boyfriend Lewis Burton, arrest for assault and following court appearance, the original Love Island host stood down from the show.
Laura Whitmore has since been unveiled as the new host of Love Island, reportedly landing a £500,000 deal to replace pal Caroline.
Laura, who dates Love Island narrator Iain Stirling, will host its first winter edition in South Africa.
She said: “To say I’m excited is an understatement.
“I want to thank ITV for trusting me at the helm of this huge show.
“I wish it was in better circumstances; Caroline is a brilliant host and also a friend.
“We’ve spoken a lot in the last few days since she stepped down. She has been very kind to me and strongly pushed me for this role.
“I know I have big boots to fill. I will try and do it justice.”
Can I still apply for Love Island 2020?
Hopefuls can still apply to take part in the upcoming series.
Applications are open until January 11, 2020.
If you are keen to become the next Amber Gill, Molly-Mae Hague or Kem Cetinay, apply here NOW.
According to the ITV application form, show bosses are “looking for vibrant singles from across the UK who want to head to the Winter sun, in search of love.”
The team behind the ITV2 show have said they’re hoping to cast a “more diverse” bunch of singletons for the South Africa series.
Show bosses are hoping the move will bring forward a range of different applicants ahead of the show, which got stick in the summer for featuring the usual mix of chiselled and athletic-looking wannabes.
Who are the Winter Love Island contestants and can you still apply?
The Sun exclusively revealed that Ellis Iyayi is a favourite to star in the new series.
With over 9,000 followers on Instagram, he’s well on his way to becoming a bit of a star once Winter Love Island kicks off.
The university student works as a personal trainer and fashion model, having posed for the likes of ASOS, Nike, GymShark and JD Sports.
Find out more about the rumoured cast here.
MORE LOVE ISLAND UPDATES
Where is the Winter Love Island villa?
The series will be in an all new location, as contestants will bask in the sunshine from a brand new villa in Cape Town in South Africa.
Paul Mortimer, Head of Digital Channels and Acquisitions at ITV, said: “Off the back of a record-breaking year, we’re delighted to be bringing an extra series of our biggest and sunniest show to the 2020 schedule.
“Love Island has proven yet again to be the perfect format that engages younger audiences.
“In response to this viewer appetite, a new batch of young singletons will deliver some highly anticipated post-Christmas romance and drama from our new and luxurious location.”
The mid-year series will then return to Europe for a summer of love closer to home.