Since its premiere on British screens in 2015, Love Island UK has been a huge success worldwide. Several countries that USA, Australia and Norway have subsequently made their own versions of the love programme.
Now ITV Studios, which owns the concept, announces that there will be major changes in the upcoming season.
This will not be the only change either, after Laura Withmore (37) announced last year that she would not return as presenter.
Whitmore took over the role from Caroline Flackwho tragically died on February 14, 2020.
In October last year, it was announced that the British TV personality Maya Jama (28) would be the new presenter.
The ninth season will follow British media premiere on Monday 16 January. The season is filmed in South Africa, as is the winter season from 2020.
In previous seasons, the contestants have been allowed to let friends or family manage their social media, such as Instagram and TikTok, when they are in the villa. But this year there is a stop.
It has now been announced that the participants will not be allowed to be active on social media as long as they are in the villa.
According to sources in the British media, ITV’s measures are due to harassment experienced by the participants. In recent years, ITV has focused more on the mental health of both the participants and their family and friends.
That the participants must put social media on pause is one of several measures ITV has put in place to protect their mental health.
Last year’s season created a storm of criticism when viewers believed several male participants showed “controlling and manipulative behaviour”.
ITV has therefore also announced that before the participants set foot in the villa, they will now be informed about how they can detect such behaviour.
In addition to this, they will be able to see videos from previous participants who talk about their experience both in and after the villa.
