Richard Madeley has done a huge U-turn when it comes to his thoughts on Love Island. The presenter struggled to hide his dismay last week as he and co-host Charlotte Hawkins were able to announce the first 2022 contestant on Good Morning Britain.
"It's not just the weather that will be hotting up over the next few weeks because summer officially starts with the nation's favourite dating show," Charlotte said during the episode on May 30 as the screen appeared blue behind them with the Love Island logo.
Richard, 66, immediately put his head into his hands as the show's theme sound played out into the GMB studio. "You might get a clue from the music... Yes Richard, it is back with a bang," Charlotte continued as her co-host muttered and groaned into his hands. As Charlotte finished up her link, it was over to Richard and he made his feelings VERY clear. "Yeah, here we go... Sorry, I can't summon up the enthusiasm." He then added: "I know loads of you love Love Island..."
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But following the launch episode on Monday night (June 6), Richard appears to have had a change of heart. On Tuesday’s edition of GMB, Richard joined Susanna Reid back at the helm and they were joined by Richard Arnold to discuss their first episode of the brand new series.
First appearing apprehensive as it came off the back of the political story of Boris Johnson surviving a confidence vote dominating the headlines, Richard eventually admitted: "I surrender. It is compelling," as Susanna agreed by saying: "Isn’t it?!"
"I've been knocking it for the last week, it’s actually compelling stuff. I don’t know why! Cause it’s stupid. But it’s compelling," he then added as co-star Richard quipped: "Well Love Island’s always had its knockers Dicky," sparking laughter from the studio.
Susanna then said the ITV2 dating show is "pure entertainment," adding: "I'm going to love this part of the morning while Love Island is on," to which entertainment editor Richard joked: "Clearing and cancelling all my annual leave now."
Speaking of Love Island previously Richard made a cutting comment. He said: "If there’s ever a good reason to join a queue out of the airport and get out of the country, that is it."
Laura Whitmore returned as presenter of Love Island for the first episode on Monday night as viewers got their first taste of what is to come. In a major twist, the decision-making was taken out of the Islanders hands. Instead, the public voted for which of the girls - Paige, Indiyah, Tasha, Amber and Gemma - should be coupled up with which boy - out of Dami, Liam, Ikenna, Andrew and Luca - for the first time ever.
And the twists didn't end there as the fIrst Love Island bombshell was already thrown into the mix in the form of David Sanclimenti. The new boy made his entrance just as sun began to set on the first day in the Love Island villa. Last year Millie Court and Liam Reardon won the £50,000 prize after finding each other on the ITV2 dating show set in Mallorca which sees singles 'coupled-up' while living together in a villa away from the outside world.
