Love Island first appeared on our screens in 2015, introducing a group of singletons to a sun-soaked villa on a quest for romance.
The show quickly became a television sensation, drawing millions of viewers with its glamorous new arrivals, tense recouplings, and dramatic exits.
Season five alone brought us unforgettable stars like Maura Higgins, Molly-Mae Hague, and Tommy Fury, who have all soared to fame since their time on the show.
The drama gripped the nation: speculating over romantic pairings, predicting when loyalties would shift, and eagerly awaiting the twists of Casa Amor. However, the once thrilling spectacle around the firepit and the iconic “I’ve got a text” moments have grown stale, leading to a formulaic viewing experience.
Last night (January 13) saw the premiere of Love Island: All Stars’ second season, which, despite maintaining steady viewership numbers, failed to deliver any new thrills or shocks, reports Wales Online.
Breaking from the norm, host Maya Jama was the first to step into the South African villa. She warmly welcomed the returning Islanders with bubbly banter and a glass of champagne, offering a novel dynamic as she mingled with the group.
But after Maya’s departure, the show reverted to its familiar pattern of superficial conversations and the all-too-common invitations for a private chat on the day beds.
Season three’s Gabby Allen and Marcel Somerville had their first encounter since their breakup 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, the reunion of former partners is nothing new for the show. We’ve already seen Callum Jones and Molly Smith dealing with their past relationship in the All Stars villa last year.
Love Island quickly carved out a niche for itself in a previously underwhelming 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. Sadly, it’s no longer our type on paper.
Love Island: All Stars airs Sunday to Friday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX