Love Island 2018 will open its doors to ‘lesbian and gay contestants’ for the first time

The reality show is set to diversify its line-up
Format shake-up: Love Island 2018 will reportedly welcome gay and lesbian contestants
ITV2
Safeeyah Kazi10 January 2018

Love Island 2018 is reportedly set to open its doors to ‘lesbian and gay contestants’ for the first time.

Producers of the ITV reality show are reportedly keen to become inclusive after coming under fire for last year’s all-heterosexual line-up.

A source told the Daily Star: "Love Island was undoubtedly the biggest reality show this year, it had everyone talking. Even people who weren't watching the show still heard about it.

"The main thing they came under fire for was sex on TV, which people have now started to accept, so come next series people won't really care about that.

"ITV want to increase the shock factor of the show and keep people talking, by having LGBT people included."

In 2016, bisexual contestants Katie Salmon and Sophie Gradon entered the house, however neither were allowed to couple up with the same sex to be in with a chance of winning the £50,000 prize.

Despite the restrictions, the duo hooked up during the show whilst still seeing their official partners.

The series sees single Brits head to a Majorcan villa where they have to couple up with each other and convince the public that their romance is real.

Love Island Series 3 - in pictures

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Last year’s edition of saw contestants Amber Davies and Kem Cetinay crowned winners, choosing to share the £50,000.

However, the couple have since split up, just four months after the show ended.

Davies has recently admitted to using alcohol to cope with the break-up and has embarked on Dry January as a way of managing her intake.

Love Island returns to ITV later this year.

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