Love Island 2019 bosses insist that the recent duty of care controversy will not affect how they make the show.
ITV2’s hit dating contest has faced intense scrutiny over its practises in recent weeks following the tragic deaths of former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis.
The broadcaster has pledged to improve its aftercare process, and released a full statement detailing exactly how it looks after the islanders.
Some reports indicated that chiefs would go even further by toning down elements of the show likely to cause scandal.
However, chiefs will still be putting the new contestants’ romances to the test – and they have been warned about it.
Speaking at a press event, ITV Studios director Angela Jain said the new care guidelines “are in no way going to impact the editorial of the show”.
“Where we are compared from the first series is completely different,” she commented (quotes via Radio Times).
“The level of scrutiny from everyone has changed and the profile of the show has changed. It would be entirely normal to keep evolving those aftercare procedures.
“But we always say this, to the Islanders and to you and to the public – we’re trying to mirror real life here, and relationships in real life get tested and that is entirely normal.
“So we are going to, and the Islanders are fully aware their relationships will be tested.
“That’s what the expectation is for the audience and definitely for the Islanders.”
One element said to be facing the chop is the dramatic lie detector episode.
Polygraph tests have also been in the spotlight recently due to their use in the now-axed Jeremy Kyle Show.
While Jain did not explicitly specify whether the lie detector would be back, she did say Love Island will be “tweaked” to keep the couples on their toes.
“We are going to do some tweaks,” she continued. “The lie detector is one episode and one element of 57 episodes.
“It’s not even a big deal in the format of the show. We are often reacting to the narrative in the villa, so we try and be entirely flexible about that.”
Casa Amor was also at risk of closure – but producers have now reportedly booked it for the new series.
Rumours suggest they may use the second villa for a new, more positive twist.
Love Island’s fifth run begins on Monday night at 9.00pm on ITV2.
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