ITV has been forced to delay the highly anticipated launch of Love Island All Stars 2026 after wildfires in South Africa prompted a full evacuation of the show's villa. The broadcaster has confirmed the cast and crew are safe, but filming has been postponed indefinitely, disrupting the planned schedule.
Production Halted Amid Safety Concerns
The crisis unfolded on Saturday 10th January 2026, when rapidly spreading wildfires in the Western Cape region of South Africa threatened the location of the Love Island villa. ITV issued an urgent statement confirming that the health and safety of everyone involved was the absolute priority, leading to the decision to evacuate and halt production.
Filming was officially postponed until further notice, with the network stating that an assessment of the site concluded it was not safe to proceed. The third season of the All Stars series was originally scheduled to premiere on Monday 12th January on ITV2 and ITVX, but that launch has now been scrapped.
ITV's Reassurance to Fans and Replacement Programming
In an update posted to the official Love Island Instagram story, the production team moved to reassure disappointed fans. The statement read: "Just a reminder that the Love Island launch show has been delayed due to wild fires near the Villa in South Africa. Everyone is safe though and we're working on bringing you an iconic series, so keep an eye on our socials and we'll let you know the new launch date as soon as we can."
This confirmation provides clarity that the series is not cancelled and will air once it is safe to do so. To fill the vacant Monday night slot, ITV2 and ITVX instead broadcast 'Love Island: A Decade of Love', a special anniversary episode first shown in June 2025. The retrospective featured past islanders like Dani Dyer, Gabby Allen, and Curtis Pritchard reflecting on their experiences.
Ongoing Situation and Speculation on New Date
The wildfires that caused the disruption were serious enough for the South African authorities, including the Air Force, to be deployed for containment efforts in the Western Cape. While the immediate danger prompted the evacuation, ITV has not yet been able to confirm a revised start date for the series.
There had been some speculation that filming could resume as early as Wednesday 14th January, potentially allowing for a launch later that week on Thursday or Friday. However, ITV has made no official announcement to that effect, sticking with its position that a new date will be confirmed once it is safe and practical to restart production.
Host Maya Jama has been pictured poolside in South Africa, indicating the team remains on standby. The delay follows the earlier revelation of the All Stars 2026 lineup, which has already generated significant buzz and rumours about potential romantic reunions between former contestants.
