Love Island Australia’s third season has had a shift in premiere date after a COVID-19 outbreak almost saw the show axed.
A positive case among the production crew meant production had to be shut down, and an ensuing seven-day snap lockdown for the Byron Bay and Tweed shires almost saw filming cancelled all together.
However, Nine has managed to keep the show moving forward, with the much-anticipated third season now expected to premiere on Monday, October 11, just a week after it was originally set to air.
The production period will be shortened, but the same amount of episodes are still expected to air.
The COVID-19 outbreak affected both Love Island and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! which were both filming in the region.
Although I’m a Celebrity had wrapped just as the outbreak occurred, their production team was set to stay on and work on Nine’s production.
Support was rescinded for production by the Mayor of Byron Shire, Michael Lyon, who expressed his disappointment that COVID-19 had broken out.
“I am looking into our options to rescind Council approval for the Love Island production, from the same studios that brought I’m a Celebrity, and Covid, to the region,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
However, filming protocols allow for filming activity for less than 30 days, meaning that production company ITV have simply tightened the schedule, and will now film for a 30-day period instead of a longer stint.
The CEO of ITV Studios, David Mott, confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald that they did not need an extension of the 30-day period, and had only applied as a fallback.
“We didn’t need that long but in an ideal world we were hoping to get approval to allow for contingencies,” he told the newspaper.
“All I want to do is get on with the show now,” he said.
Fans expressed their excitement that the show would go on via Instagram, where the Love Island Australia confirmed the new air date overnight.
“Can’t wait to see the opening cast ✅,” one shared.
“Didn’t think life could get any better and then this,” another added.
“The excitement is real😍😍😍😍,” wrote a third.
Want love without the reality TV drama? Sign up for eHarmony today!
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
