Love Island is set to break from recent tradition by showing s*x scenes from the Hideaway in its upcoming season, executive producer Mike Spencer has confirmed.
Since 2020, the ITV2 reality show has toned down explicit content, but this year fans will get an unfiltered look at intimate moments between islanders in the villa’s private bedroom.
Speaking to The Mirror, Spencer said, “If s*x happens, we’ll show it. The Hideaway will be open 24 hours.”
He added that this decision is part of efforts to keep the show “fresh and exciting” as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
This move marks a return to Love Island’s earlier format, where cameras captured all the late-night activity without censorship. Past seasons featured notorious moments such as Terry Walsh and Emma Jane’s explicit scenes in 2016, and Zara Holland losing her Miss GB crown after having s*x with fellow contestant Alex Bowen.
The reversal comes after producers chose in 2020 to censor s*xual content, citing concerns over contestants’ mental health and the impact of public exposure. At that time, narrator Iain Stirling noted that airing s*x had become outdated, suggesting the show could tell stories without showing intimate acts.
While more explicit footage will return, producers say they will handle it carefully, framing scenes within the show’s evolving narrative style.
The upcoming season has already seen its share of controversy. Contestant Kyle Ashman was dropped after revelations about his arrest in connection with a machete attack earlier this year.
Although released without charge and denying wrongdoing, he was replaced by professional rugby player Conor Phillips. Another contestant, Dejon Noel-Williams, was questioned by police over an alleged phone theft but was also released without further action. ITV confirmed it was aware of the incident before casting him.
