Love Island has issued a statement urging viewers to consider Islander welfare ahead of the first episode of series 14, which airs tonight on ITV2 and ITVX. The show, now in its 14th season, will feature 12 singles looking for love in the famous villa.
While the series has been a staple of British television for over a decade, it has faced significant backlash over the years. Former contestants have spoken openly about the mental health struggles they faced after leaving the show, including dealing with online hate, trolling, and sudden fame. Tragically, series three contestant Mike Thalassitis took his own life in 2019, prompting producers to overhaul their aftercare processes. The death of original host Caroline Flack also led to widespread calls for viewers to 'be kind' when discussing the show online.
Despite these efforts, each series has still seen considerable online abuse. In response, Love Island bosses have decided to get ahead of the trolling this time by releasing a statement before the first episode airs. On their Instagram stories, they wrote: 'For our Islanders, this summer is all about finding love, having fun, escaping reality, and making memories that last a lifetime. We love the passion you have for the show, and we love your commentary, memes, debates, and seeing everyone so invested in the journey. We just ask that while the drama unfolds, everyone remembers there are real people behind the screen. Let's keep the vibes high, the energy positive, and let's make this a summer to remember.'
Last year's winner, Toni Laites, who has experienced both love and hate, also shared a similar message ahead of the series. Toni, along with former islanders Shakira Khan and Yasmin Pettet—known as 'The Big Three'—will host the post-show podcast 'The Debrief' for this series. On her Instagram story, she expressed excitement for the upcoming series and added: 'With the new season starting let's all remember that Islanders are humans with feelings & be kind xx!'
Love Island series 14 premieres tonight (Monday 1st June) on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm.
