Love Island first appeared on our screens in 2015, welcoming a bunch of ordinary singletons to its idyllic island setting to spark new romances.
At the height of its popularity, the show was the talk of the nation, drawing in millions of viewers who were entranced by its sizzling new entries, dramatic recouplings, and sensational send-offs.
The show has also made household names out of some memorable contestants; take season five’s Maura Higgins, Molly-Mae Hague, and Tommy Fury, for instance, who have all become celebrities in their own right.
It was a topic that dominated conversations: guessing which couples would last, predicting the inevitable wandering eyes, and the much-anticipated drama brought by Casa Amor. Yet, it seems Love Island has lost some of its original charm and appeal.
The iconic firepit gatherings and excitement around the once-coveted “I’ve got a text” moments now feel overdone, resulting in a somewhat stale and predictable viewing experience, reports Wales Online.
When Love Island: All Stars returned for a second season yesterday (January 13), it may have retained its viewership numbers, but there was little left to shock or thrill the audience as before.
Breaking away slightly from what we’ve come to expect, this series saw presenter Maya Jama make an entrance before any arrivals. She light-heartedly mingled with the previous Islanders, all with a glass of fizz in hand. It was a breath of fresh air to see the host engage closely with the participants.
However, the novelty soon wore off as Maya exited, leaving the Islanders to their well-worn pattern of polite conversation and the usual invites to idle away time on the day beds.
Season three’s Gabby Allen and Marcel Somerville had their first encounter since their tumultuous break up six years ago, in what was arguably one of the premiere episode’s most thrilling moments, not to mention Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu’s dramatic entrance.
However, former couples reuniting is hardly a new concept for the show. Last year, we saw Callum Jones and Molly Smith dealing with their past relationship in the All Stars villa.
Love Island quickly carved out a niche in a previously underrepresented genre, becoming a firm favourite among viewers. Reality TV has since upped its game, with shows like The Traitors, Love Is Blind and the return of Big Brother providing a fresh and engaging format to enjoy.
While some recent seasons have produced genuine bonds and worthy winners, such as season nine victors Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, Love Island struggles to hold our interest. Simply put, it’s no longer our cup of tea.
Love Island: All Stars airs Sunday to Friday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX