Love Island producers 'hoping to cast a key worker'

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief

Published: February 14 2021 | 08:06

Last updated: February 15 2021 | 11:39

Producers of Love Island are hoping to include a key worker among this year's contestants.

Love Island producers are hopeful of casting "a key worker" on this year's series if it goes ahead.

The ITV2 dating show was axed last year due to coronavirus but is expected to return this summer - possibly in a UK-based location such as Cornwall or Barry Island.

Doctor Alex George, who appeared on the show in 2018, has gone on to become an influential figure with youngsters during the coronavirus crisis and was recently appointed as the government's youth mental health ambassador.

According to The Sun, producers are keen to have at least one contestant with "brains as well as brawn" to follow in George's footsteps this year.

"The team have had over 100,000 applications and have been looking for talent with a bit of edge," a show source told the newspaper.

"Some of the best contestants over the years have been those who don't just want to be famous – those with some real ambition, a solid career and a story to tell, especially of the key worker variety."

ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall last week admitted that the show is still not a certainty for this year, explaining that it will be "hard" to film while the pandemic remains ongoing.