Love Island applicants have soared during coronavirus lockdown with over 13,000 singletons seeking a place on the upcoming summer series.
The production team behind the ITV2 dating show are drafting in extra staff to help interview the candidates, according to reports.
Wannabe islanders will be quizzed over web conferencing tool Zoom over the next few weeks and a shortlist will later be created.
Bosses believe the spike in numbers is due to the applicants not getting any bedroom action during isolation.
A source said: “Applications have gone through the roof since lockdown.
Siânnise Fudge shot to fame on the first winter series of Love Island earlier this year (Image: PA)
“Never before have so many people applied in this six-week time span.”
The insider continued telling The Sun: “Over 70 per cent of the applications have come from 18 to 28-year-olds and the videos being sent in have been more creative than ever as people have more time on their hands.”
“Once candidates have been whittled down to a shortlist, they’ll be interviewed face-to-face.”
But despite the major increase in applications, not all potential islanders apply through the official channels to reach the villa.
It’s claimed 13,000 singletons seeking a place on the upcoming summer series (Image: ITV)
Love Island 2017 winner Amber Davies, 22, and Dani Dyer, 24, who won the 2018 series, were scouted by the show’s talent agents.
This year’s summer series of the show is planned to be filmed in Majorca, however bosses have out a contingency plan in place due to the pandemic.
It has been reported that they cold play filming until August to ensure the show can still take place.
Winter series winner Paige Turley 22, predicted that the isolation measurers brought in to reduce the spread of Covid-19 would spark a surge of applications.
Bosses are convinced that the spike in applications is due to applicants not having any bedroom action during coronavirus lockdown (Image: ITV)
The Scottish beauty told The Sun: “There will be so many more applicants — and they should, they should 100 per cent apply.
“It’s six weeks and you’ll be in the sun, meeting all these hot boys and girls. They should apply.”
Just over 2.4 million viewers tuned in to see Paige and partner Finn Tapp secure the £50,000 prize fund.
Television presenter Laura Whitmore, 34, is expected to return as the host.
She fronted the winter series, having replaced the late Caroline Flack, 40.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
