Popular UK reality show Love Island – which has successfully launched multiple seasons in America and Australia – is launching a mature spin off of the dating show aimed at singles in their 40s and 50s.
Love Island generally casts people in their 20s who are considered generically attractive, the youngest cast member this year, Gemma Owens, is aged 19. The new show comes from the makers of Love Island and currently has the working title of Your Mum, My Dad. Creators have reportedly promised a “more relatable version” of the show with more diverse body types.
According to The Sun, “men and women in their 40s and 50s will go on a retreat and be “coupled up” behind the scenes by their kids. Filming is set to start later this year, with a predicted air date of some time next year.
“Times change and the current generation in their 40s and 50s still care about how they look, are fit and healthy, into fashion and are ready to let their hair down,” a TV source told the publication of the new reality show.
“This show will give those who settled down young a second chance at love while they still feel in their prime.
“And, let’s face it, they know their minds, will be capable of intelligent conversation and are likely to be much more adventurous — all ingredients regular Love Island sometimes lacks.”
Love Island UK has come under fire for the ‘misogyny and controlling behaviour’ that’s been displayed throughout this year’s season.
Domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid confirmed that they held talks with Love Island producers after being tagged in a stream of posts detailing concerning behaviour on the reality TV show.
“At Women’s Aid we are being tagged into a stream of Twitter posts, with viewers of Love Island highlighting the misogyny and controlling behaviour being shown on screen,” Parker said.
“This is clearly more than talking about any individual contestants, and a programme based around the formation of romantic relationships must have guidelines on what behaviour is acceptable and unacceptable in those relationships.
“We are talking to ITV, and they have shared with us information on their inclusion training, but what appears to be missing is specific information on abusive relationships and an understanding of controlling behaviour in relationships.
“It is vital that producers know when to intervene and challenge unacceptable behaviour. Women’s Aid has offered to help, and we want to assure people tagging us into posts that we are in conversation with ITV and the Love Island producers about what we can do moving forward to help address this.”
Just one of the concerning relationships that viewers believe highlight controlling behaviour is the relationship between Luca Bish and Gemma Owens. Luca has been very territorial about their relationship and has even admitted to being slightly controlling. In a recent episode, Luca blew up at Gemma because another islander flirted with her, even though she didn’t reciprocate.
During the latest episode of After Sun, Laura laughed off Luca’s treatment of Gemma, saying “it’s just because he’s in love, though”.
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