ITV bosses have lifted their ban on Love Island contestants keeping their social media profiles for its forthcoming All Stars series.
MailOnline can reveal that chiefs have taken the view that because the contestants have appeared on the programme previously, they have experienced the ‘pitfalls and negatives’ associated with being on platforms such as Instagram and Twitter.
Sources at the channel say that its stars – rumoured to be will have the choice of whether they keep their presence or not.
It comes after Love Island bosses formally introduced a rule in May last year telling participants to pause all of their social media handles and accounts for the duration of their time on the show to ensure that both the Islanders and their families are protected from the adverse effects of social media.
A Love Island insider told MailOnline: ‘For the All Stars series it was decided that Islanders should have the choice as to whether or not they want to stay active on social media.
ITV bosses have lifted their ban on Love Island contestants keeping their social media profiles for its forthcoming All Stars series
The programme will see the return of host Maya Jama
‘The feeling was that because they have all experienced life in the spotlight, and also have management advising them, that they are already aware of the potential pitfalls and negatives associated with social media.
‘Most of them have had at least a year of living in the limelight so will hopefully be able to handle what being famous throws at them.’
ITV say that they will continue with the training in language, behaviour and relationships which they say is ‘really important to ensure we are doing what we can to prepare the Islanders on cultural differences and sensitivities.’
Love Island All Stars will launch later this month after bosses decided not to do another series of the winter version of the show which will give past Islanders back for another chance at finding love.
The programme will be hosted by Maya Jama and former stars such as ex firefighter Michael Griffiths from the 2019 series, paramedic Paige Thorne from 2022, Chloe Burrows from 2021 and Samira Mighty from 2018 are all rumoured to be taking part.
Like last year’s Winter Love Island, the show will be filmed in South Africa.
ITV were forced to increase their duty of care guidelines following the suicides of presenter Caroline Flack in 2020, as well as former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis.
The dating show has previously sparked a barrage of audience Ofcom complaints over alleged toxic or abusive behaviour among participants.
Rumoured stars expected to return include Paige Thorne from the 2022 series (pictured)
Series five islander Amy Hart said her family and friends had to read death threats aimed towards her while she was in the villa.
She said: ‘I didn’t really take into account when I went into the villa that although my best friend was really excited to run my social media account, it was me that signed up to do the show, not my family and not my friends.
‘But it was them that had to read the death threats and it was them that had to read the horrible messages.
‘Whereas when I came out, I came out to a great reaction because of the way that I left, and they were the ones who had a hard time when I was in there.’
Love Island All Stars will launch later this month after bosses decided not to do another series of the winter version of the show