ITV are reportedly considering pre-recording the next series of Love Island in an attempt to safeguard contestants' welfare.
This summer's series has been cancelled due to coronavirus but the show is expected to return early next year when it can be filmed safely.
According to The Sun, one measure under consideration is to film the entire series before it airs in the UK, meaning that contestants would be able to gradually adapt to overnight fame as the series plays out on TV.
Such a move would spell an end to public voting, which is the primary way that contestants get dumped from the villa.
"The welfare of the islanders is the top priority for ITV bosses and there are continual talks about it," a source told the newspaper.
"Pre-recording the show is one of the ideas to be mooted in planning meetings. It would mean the contestants would be back in the UK when the show aired, meaning they would be more prepared for the overnight fame that comes with being on.
"This is one of many ideas that have been thrown around ahead of the next series in 2021 and it's proved popular with some of the team."
Meanwhile, ITV2 are said to be planning to fill the void left by the show's axe this summer by airing a Gogglebox-style spinoff series featuring former contestants watching old clips of their time in the villa.
Neil Wilkes
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