Love Island ‘set to return to Majorca for 2021 with EXTRA cast flying out as Covid precaution’

Love Island will reportedly return to Majorca for this year’s series of the hit show.

It is thought that TV bosses have even arranged for an extra cast to fly out in May and quarantine like the main set of singletons as a Covid precaution, reports The Sun

Although usually filmed in a villa near Sant Llorenç des Cardassar on the Spanish isle, UK locations including Jersey, Cornwall and Devon had been tipped for 2021.   

Bring it on: Love Island will reportedly return to Majorca for this year’s series of the hit dating show (pictured host Laura Whitmore)

A source told the publication: ‘All precautions have been taken to make sure it goes smoothly. Besides the extra cast, they’ve incorporated Covid safety measures and increased checks on contestants’ mental health.

‘Everyone is very excited. Restrictions are easing, the Euros football is on and Love Island is back in Majorca. What more could you want?’

However, a Love Island representative told MailOnline: ‘We are not currently in a position to confirm locations for the forthcoming series of Love Island.’

The summer series of Love Island 2020 was cancelled after production found it ‘logistically impossible’ to organise the show as the pandemic raged on.  

Taking no risks: It is thought that TV bosses have arranged for an extra cast to fly out in May and quarantine like the main set of singletons as a Covid precaution (pictured, the 2018 cast)

Taking no risks: It is thought that TV bosses have arranged for an extra cast to fly out in May and quarantine like the main set of singletons as a Covid precaution (pictured, the 2018 cast)

Applicants for the next series have reportedly been told they’ll have to be free for 10 weeks abroad and undergo a psychological and physical assessment. 

A sexual health screening and an unannounced drugs test is also set to be required and the cast will have to declare if they live with anyone who’s clinically vulnerable, according to the publication.

Bosses will also ask contestants for their mental health histories and for permission to contact their GPs and in another move to help support them on the show. 

It was previously reported that Jersey has been secured for filming this summer if production cannot take place in the show’s usual location of Mallorca.

A source had told The Mirror earlier in March that bosses are hoping Jersey will be blessed with warm weather this summer should Love Island filming take place on the picturesque island. 

Heading back? The show is usually filmed in a villa (pictured) near Sant Llorenç des Cardassar on the Spanish isle, but UK locations including Jersey and Devon were tipped for 2021

Heading back? The show is usually filmed in a villa (pictured) near Sant Llorenç des Cardassar on the Spanish isle, but UK locations including Jersey and Devon were tipped for 2021

They said: ‘The Channel Islands get plenty of sunshine so it makes sense to hold Love Island there if we can’t get back to Spain.’ 

A representative for Love Island declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline at the time. 

And it comes despite reports last month stating that Love Island bosses had been considering Devon and Cornwall as alternative filming locations.

A source told The Sun at the time that several locations had been looked into incase travel restrictions were still in place over the summer. 

They said: ‘Cornwall has been optioned, as well as Torquay, the Isles of Scilly and even Barry Island, where Gavin and Stacey was filmed. 

Future stars: According to host Laura Whitmore, the show has been inundated with applicants, 'the most they've ever had' (pictured are Amy Hart, Lucie Donlan, Yewande Biala, Anna Vakili, Amber Gill and late host Caroline Flack on the 2019 series)

Future stars: According to host Laura Whitmore, the show has been inundated with applicants, ‘the most they’ve ever had’ (pictured are Amy Hart, Lucie Donlan, Yewande Biala, Anna Vakili, Amber Gill and late host Caroline Flack on the 2019 series)

‘ITV bosses are also worried about a fan backlash against the show if contestants are allowed to go away claiming work reasons but the rest of the country is still stuck at home.’

And according to host Laura Whitmore, the hit reality show has been inundated with applicants, ‘the most they’ve ever had’ as she praised the casting team as ‘brilliant’ and said they are looking for ‘great personalities’ similar to Maura Higgins.  

It was reported in February that bosses are hunting for ‘brains as well as brawn’ as they are keen to include a key worker in the line-up due to the recognition.

NHS doctor Alex George, 29, and pharmacist Anna Vakili, 30, were both hits with viewers after they appeared on the fourth series of the dating show in 2018.     

Dr. Alex has been working tirelessly on the frontline throughout the pandemic, and was recently appointed as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador by Boris Johnson after speaking out following his brother’s death last year. 

The new series is rumoured to be the ‘biggest in history’, as excited ITV bosses gear up for the highly anticipated comeback later this year. 

Looking for love: It has been reported bosses are hunting for 'brains as well as brawn' as they are keen to include a key worker in the line-up (pictured Dr Alex George in 2018)

Looking for love: It has been reported bosses are hunting for ‘brains as well as brawn’ as they are keen to include a key worker in the line-up (pictured Dr Alex George in 2018)