Love Island’s creator reveals he wants to make a gay version of the show
The creator of Love Island has said he wants to produce a gay version of the show.
The news follows reports that the hit reality TV programme’s showrunners were considering a lesbian spin-off earlier this month.
Richard Cowles, who is also an executive producer on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!, made the comments in an interview with The Times.
“I would like to see what a gay version of the show would be,” he said.
Cowles also reminded readers that there had been bisexual contestants on the show before.
However, he outlined the practical issues – as he saw it – with introducing gay and lesbian competitors alongside straight contestants.
“You are trying to create couples,” he said.
“It is not impossible and it is not something that we shy away from…but there is a logistical element which makes it difficult.”
Last year, Love Island featured its first same-sex couple, as late entrant Katie Salmon split up straight pairing Sophie Gradon and Tom Powell by choosing Sophie in a recoupling.
The pair outlasted Tom, but fell before the final hurdle.
The third season of the sexy reality show’s current incarnation has been incredibly successful for ITV.
Its ITV2 channel has attracted increasingly large amounts of viewers to the coupling show, as well as a vociferous following on social media.
The Mallorca-based programme has broken through into the national consciousness, reflected by its viewing figures last week, which saw the show hit a season high of 2.92 million people.
Four couples will go head-to-head tonight in the show’s finale.
And Cowles defended his programme against accusations that it had succeeded simply because of its salacious aspects.
“We are not about exploiting. There are other shows out there that are really trying to ratchet it up to such a level that it is uncomfortable viewing,” he said.
“This show is very warm at its heart.
“Everybody is aspiring to see love blossom. We are very much acknowledging that sex has happened and moving on.”
The move to create a gay or lesbian Love Island spin-off would follow Blind Date featuring its first ever lesbian coupling two weeks ago.
The Channel 5 programme is also planning an episode including a gay pairing later this year.
