Drag Race UK icon Cheryl Hole expertly explains why it’s time for a queer Love Island
Cheryl Hole. (Santiago Felipe/Getty)
Drag Race UK icon Cheryl Hole has expertly explained why it’s well and truly time for a queer version of Love Island.
The drag queen shared her thoughts on the hugely popular reality television series in an interview with The Mirror – and she used the opportunity to call for greater representation.
While Love Island has an enormous following, the show has always shied away from including queer contestants. ITV commissioner Amanda Stavri told Radio Times in June that doing so is a “logistical difficulty”.
Speaking to The Mirror, Cheryl Hole said she wants a dating show that is specifically catered towards the LGBT+ community.
“Whilst there has been a lot of progression in LGBTQ+ representation in television and film, there is still a long way to go in my opinion,” Hole said.
“We’ve seen shows like The Bi Life on E! with Courtney Act before but I do feel it’s about time for a dating show for our community.”
She continued: “I love TV shows where people are just wanting to find love. I think it’s a common ground where everyone wants to feel loved and be loved and I just think there needs to be more love and happiness in the world for sure.”
The drag icon went on to reveal that she hasn’t tuned in to any of the current season of Love Island because she has been too busy preparing for the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in England on Monday (19 July).
“I haven’t tuned in yet as I have been busy getting myself ready to put on a killer show when the nightclubs reopen and Pride season begins but I’ve heard it’s been a very entertaining season thus far,” she said.
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Queer Love Island fans have long been clamouring for LGBT+ representation on the dating show – while others have pinned their hopes on a queer spin-off.
The format of Love Island makes LGBT+ inclusion a ‘challenge’
Speaking to Radio Times in June, Stavri said the “main challenge” to LGBT+ inclusion on Love Island was “the format” of the show.
“There’s a sort of logistical difficulty, because although islanders don’t have to be 100 per cent straight, the format must sort of give islanders an equal choice when coupling up.”
In 2016, Love Island made headlines when it briefly allowed two women to couple up with each other.
Katie Salmon and the late Sophie Gradon remain Love Island‘s only ever same-sex couple. Salmon was recently forced to deny rumours that their same-sex kiss had been “manipulated” by producers.
