You know what they say about villas… The bigger the villa, the longer and hotter the summer.
At least that’s what the producers of Love Island are hoping as they set the scene for 11 sizzling singletons to clock eyes and fall in love next Monday night.
The wannabes are still heading to the stunning island of Majorca, Spain, where they’ll be greeted by the familiar blue skies, rolling green hills and palm trees we’ve got to know over the last seven series of the popular ITV2 dating show.
But for series eight, they’ll be pulling each other for chats and getting their heads turned in a brand new villa that’s bigger and better than ever - with even more secret spots to get up to mischief in.
“They looked at quite a few villas and this was by far the best,” Executive Producer Mike Spencer tells us.
“The view is beautiful, we want people to tune in and say this is Love Island but it’s had a glow up.
“It’s slightly bigger, it’s a similar pool size but the space around it is bigger.”
The new digs follow a loose 1970s-style theme with a bright orange carpet and funky pink retro lights joining the traditional neon hearts.
Over in the bedroom, there are now six beds that face each other - just like in series one - for a much more intimate sleeping arrangement.
But there are actually more places to sneak off to when couples are hoping to get a bit more exclusive with each other.
For starters, they’ve got rid of the usual on show day beds near the kitchen and installed a new huge circular day bed in the dappled shade of a tree at the end of the garden - away from prying eyes.
This new round shape is certainly very groovy and is the perfect spot for a canoodle.
There are fairy lights threaded through the boughs of the overhanging tree ready to set the mood for a steamy snog.
Back in the bedroom and it looks like the windowless room is set to become the place to cool off - before heating up again.
There are two huge air conditioning units that will blow icy air at the scantily-clad Islanders, perhaps encouraging them to snuggle up.
On the walls are huge pop-art pictures of suggestive mouths cheekily licking cherries and watermelon.
There is also a new sofa in the bigger bedroom so the couples have another quiet spot to pull someone for a chat.
New slogans are placed on the furniture to encourage romance that read ‘cheeky spoon’ and ‘my love’ - while both the boys and girls have bigger spaces to get ready in.
Meanwhile, alongside the usual sun loungers there are two new beds in the water of the pool - the perfect place for a couple to cool off.
But while there’s a lot new in the villa this year, ITV2 are working around the clock to get it all finished in time.
“It’s got a long way to go,” Executive Producer Mike Spencer admits.
“There are lots of things that we're working on but aren't quite finished.
“But in two days it will be transformed.”
Tune in from 9pm next Monday 6th June on ITV2 to find out if they finish.
