It’s been nearly a decade since we’ve seen hot young things from all over the country sign up to go on Love Island, but after the announcement of a new spin-off series called The Romance Retreat aimed at older people yearning for love, some celebs have already voiced their interest.
ITV stated on Thursday that the programme will be dedicated to’middle-aged’ single parents and would air on the small screen.
The original version of the annual reality series involves candidates between the ages of 18 and late 20s, with few stars over the age of 30 from previous series.
With the revelation that adults over the age of 40 can begin ‘cracking on,’ there have already been many people, including famous names, who are eager to star.
The revival will follow Love Island’s typical format, but it has not been established whether a financial reward would be at stake.
But that hasn’t dampened the excitement over the opportunity to jet out to a sunny area and spend weeks in a beautiful villa.
While the network has yet to disclose who would host the show, former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall has lately thrown her hat in the ring.
‘I’m literally begging ITV to let me host mid-life Love Island. ‘I could fill a Love Island villa with the best back tales you’ve ever heard,’ she told Steven Bartlett on his Diary of a CEO podcast.
While those taking part are unlikely to be renowned faces, who are the celebrities who have expressed an interest in taking part in the series?
Linda Robson
Although she has been married for almost 30 years, the Loose Women panellist stated that she would ‘love to get in there’ the day after the new reality series was announced.
When asked what romance means to her now versus when she was younger ‘There ain’t no romance now,’ Linda, 64, remarked.
As she said, older people were ‘much more interesting’.
‘I would love to go meet older people and go meet people I haven’t met before.’
‘If romance would happen there it would be quite nice,’ she added.
She also said that ‘sitting and having a meal and having a kiss and cuddle’ would be romantic.
Nadia Sawalha jumped in and said: ‘When you are older and been though life and ups and downs and the idea of romance changes and having someone listen to what you’re saying is sexy and romantic.’
‘It’s about somebody enhancing rather than being your whole being.’
Alison Hammond
Alison Hammond of This Morning recently disclosed that she has a special someone in her life, but she looks to be keeping her options open after suggesting her interest in dating on reality TV.
On Friday’s episode, she said: ‘I think I would enter you know, but the only thing is, your child has to nominate you to go into it.’
Alison, 47, has an 18-year-old son Aiden with her ex Noureddine Boufaied.
Alison continued: ‘I’m so happy about this,’ saying: ‘It’s going to be amazing, so much more interesting.’
‘I’m totally eligible,’ she added.
After separating from her fiancée Jamie Savage in 2017 after three years of dating, she has kept her relationships mostly discreet over the years.
However, she stated last week that she would be happy to marry if her new boyfriend proposed.
She added: ‘A year-and-a-half I’ve been with him, and no one knew. He absolutely worships me and massages my feet every single day. What more do you want?’
Tarek Ghouri
Tarek Ghouri’s daughter found love in the Love Island villa with Andrew Le Page, and now he’s being encouraged to do the same.
Tasha, 23, persuaded her father to appear on the new spin-off show after hearing about it.
Retweeting a news piece, she said, : ‘Dad this is your moment to shine… The entertainment joker king x’.
The fact that he has his daughter’s support is also beneficial, as this is one of the prerequisites for single parents to appear.
Gyles Brandreth
Gyles Brandreth, who has been married for 50 years, was talking to Alison about the spin-off series when he disclosed that he had been cast.
‘Well, rather sweetly, my grandchildren have nominated me to go into it,’ she said.
‘The closing date is the 31st March, we’ve had the email back saying grandchildren cannot nominate you, you’re too old,’ he joked, adding that his children were too ’embarrassed’ to nominate him’.
Dermot O’Leary quipped that the nomination may have come from Gyles’ wife Michele, with whom he has three children.
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
The post As ITV announces Love Island spin-off The Romance Retreat featuring single parents, who are the famous faces who want to sign up? appeared first on My Celebrity Life.