Wildfires Force Love Island All Stars Evacuation

The highly anticipated third series of Love Island: All Stars has been thrown into chaos after wildfires raging across South Africa’s Western and Eastern Cape forced the evacuation of the iconic villa and brought production to a sudden halt. ITV, the broadcaster behind the fan-favorite dating show, confirmed on January 10, 2026, that the premiere—originally scheduled for Monday, January 12—has been postponed, leaving viewers and contestants alike in limbo as safety concerns take precedence over entertainment.

The flames, fueled by blistering temperatures reaching 34°C and powerful winds, swept perilously close to the villa, located in the renowned wine region of Franschhoek. According to The Sun, the wildfires broke out within just two miles of the filming site, prompting a rapid response from the show’s producers. ITV’s official statement, echoed across multiple outlets, left no room for doubt about their priorities: “Further to a production evacuation owing to ongoing wildfires in the area, our assessment of the location site has concluded that filming will need to be postponed. Health and safety is our greatest priority and will always come first, and therefore the transmission of Love Island: All Stars will be delayed until a date to be confirmed.”

For the cast and crew, the disruption was both sudden and severe. Contestants, many of whom had just arrived in South Africa, were kept with their individual chaperones in separate accommodations, while host Maya Jama was advised to remain in her private villa. Crew members evacuated the site on January 9 as the team was making final preparations for the contestants’ arrival. Some crew returned briefly the next day, but the main production remained on hold as the threat from the wildfires persisted. The ash cloud lingering over the villa posed yet another risk, with residue potentially endangering the health of cast and crew. As one source told The Sun, “The ash cloud over the villa also posed a risk from residue potentially falling onto the contestants.”

The logistical challenges were compounded by road closures near the villa, as reported by The Mirror. The disruption hit on what’s known in television circles as the “get in” day—a critical moment when everything must run like clockwork to ensure contestants don’t see each other before the cameras roll. “It’s a nightmare. It’s left the team scrambling to arrange alternative options on what’s the most difficult day in terms of logistics for the crew,” a production insider told The Mirror. “The filming for their arrivals and meetings takes hours. Safety is priority though and they have plans in place for such situations. But not ideal given the show hasn’t even begun.”

Fire services in the region reported that, while some progress had been made overnight on January 9, wildfires in the Langrug and Franschhoek areas of the Boland remained “out of control.” According to ITV News, the blazes have already destroyed properties and forced multiple evacuations across the Western Cape. The situation on the ground is fluid, with strong winds and high temperatures continuing to fan the flames and complicate firefighting efforts.

The show’s return had been eagerly awaited, with Maya Jama once again at the helm and Iain Stirling providing his signature narration. The All Stars lineup promised a reunion of familiar faces, including two former winners—Jess Harding (25) and Millie Court (29)—as well as a host of fan favorites: Tommy Bradley (22), Helena Ford (29), Jack Keating (26, son of Irish popstar Ronan Keating), Whitney Adebayo (28), Ciaran Davies (23), Sean Stone (26), Charlie Frederick (31), Belle Hassan (27), Leanne Amaning (28), and Shaq Muhammad (27). For many, the prospect of seeing these personalities back in the villa was “TV gold,” as ITV2 fans had dubbed the upcoming series after a summer filled with jaw-dropping twists and turns.

The sudden postponement has left both fans and contestants disappointed, with no new premiere date yet announced. ITV has assured viewers that the series will air once it is safe to resume production, but for now, the focus remains firmly on the wellbeing of all involved. “Everyone is safe and the crew are going to play it by ear as to when it is safe for the contestants to enter the villa,” a source told The Sun. Meanwhile, some families of the contestants have reached out to senior producers to check on their loved ones’ welfare.

While the production team scrambles to rearrange logistics and monitor the evolving wildfire situation, the contestants are being cared for by the show’s welfare team. “Crew are understandably worried but the welfare team are making sure there’s support available. They’ve been told to stay in their hotels,” a source explained to The Mirror. ITV’s commitment to safeguarding its cast and crew has been consistently emphasized, with the network reiterating, “ITV will always put the welfare of the cast and crew above the programme.”

The wildfires themselves have been described as some of the most severe in recent years for the region. The Western Cape, known for its picturesque vineyards and luxury resorts, has seen properties burned and communities uprooted as emergency services work tirelessly to contain the blazes. With the weather showing little sign of relenting, uncertainty hangs over not just Love Island: All Stars but much of the local area.

This isn’t the first time that natural disasters have disrupted major television productions, but the scale and timing of the South African wildfires have presented unique challenges. The crew’s ability to adapt under pressure and ITV’s transparent communication with the public have been praised, though the setback is undeniably a blow to the network’s carefully laid plans for a blockbuster series launch.

For now, fans will have to wait a little longer for their favorite Islanders to return to their screens. The hope is that, once the fires are brought under control and the villa is deemed safe, the series can resume and deliver the high drama and romance viewers have come to expect. Until then, the safety of everyone involved remains the top concern, and the story of Love Island: All Stars’ interrupted launch stands as a stark reminder of how nature can upend even the best-laid plans in the world of television.

As the flames continue to burn and the future of the show hangs in the balance, one thing is clear: for both the cast and the millions of fans waiting at home, patience and safety must come before reality TV spectacle.