The highly anticipated third season of Love Island: All Stars has been thrown into disarray after wildfires sweeping through South Africa forced the evacuation of its iconic villa and an indefinite halt to production. Fans in both the UK and US, who had been eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite Islanders for another round of romance and drama, will now have to wait as ITV scrambles to ensure the safety of its cast, crew, and production team.
According to Deadline, the decision to evacuate the Love Island villa and postpone filming was made after wildfires intensified near the Ludus Magnus Estate, the show’s filming location about an hour outside Cape Town in the Western Cape. ITV, the British broadcaster behind the series, released a statement underscoring the seriousness of the situation: “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.”
The wildfires, driven by soaring temperatures, shifting winds, and extended dry spells, have not only affected the television production but have also prompted evacuations in several communities across the Western and Eastern Cape. The Daily Mail reported that residents in Zwartenbosch, Oyster Bay Road, Kromme River, and Riverside in the Eastern Cape were told to leave their homes as flames advanced. Fires also broke out in Mossel Bay, compounding the region’s emergency response efforts. Firefighters have been working tirelessly in Wemmershoek, close to the villa, to contain the blazes and protect both people and property.
The timing could hardly have been worse for ITV’s production team. Filming for the new season was slated to begin over the weekend of January 10-11, 2026, with the first episode scheduled to air on Monday, January 12. In the US, the premiere was set for Wednesday, January 14 on Peacock. With the evacuation order in place and roads near the villa closed, both the UK and US launches have now been postponed, leaving fans and contestants alike in limbo.
As The Independent detailed, the fire broke out near the filming location in Franschhoek, prompting a swift response from producers. “A fire broke out close to the villa and it was deemed too dangerous to have Maya, the cast and all of the production crew working there in case it suddenly moved closer to the villa,” a source told the publication. “They have now cancelled filming today and are hoping to resume tomorrow. ITV will always put the welfare of the cast and crew above the show.” However, as the fires continued to pose a threat, it became clear that the premiere would not go ahead as planned.
The show’s host, Maya Jama, also found herself caught up in the disruption. As reported by the Daily Mail, Jama shared a candid health update on social media while flying to South Africa for the launch. “Lol truthfully the flu came in last minute to kick my a** for the last 24 hours. Vitamin C’ed up and praying the sun deletes it all, next stop South Africa,” she wrote, flashing a small smile despite her illness. Jama had to pull out of the Love Island: All Stars launch event just days before the series was due to begin, adding another layer of uncertainty to the show’s kickoff.
The All Stars edition of Love Island brings back a roster of familiar faces, with the initial cast list already confirmed before the wildfires struck. Among the returning contestants are two former winners—Millie Court and Jess Harding—alongside other fan favorites such as Whitney Adebayo, Belle Hassan, Helena Ford, Leanne Amaning, Tommy Bradley, Sean Stone, Charlie Frederick, Ciaran Davies, Shaq Muhammad, and Jack Keating. The cast, spanning from Season 4 through Season 12, represents a cross-section of the show’s most memorable personalities, all vying for another shot at love in the South African sun.
ITV’s commitment to safety has been echoed throughout the coverage of the incident. Digital Spy quoted the broadcaster’s official statement: “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.” The network’s swift action in evacuating the villa and halting production has been widely praised, even as it creates significant headaches for producers racing to keep the show’s tight filming schedule on track. As one source told The Sun, “This will make everything a far closer call when it comes to getting enough footage in the can for Monday night’s launch show. Naturally, if the fire is still posing a risk the show will be pushed back again. It’s a very nervous wait over in South Africa.”
The impact of the wildfires extends beyond the world of reality television. Australia, too, has been grappling with dangerous bushfires, with the state of Victoria entering a “catastrophic” fire danger rating, the highest possible level, around the same time as the South African blazes. The increasing prevalence and severity of such events have reignited conversations about climate change and the growing risks faced by communities—and productions—situated in vulnerable regions.
For Love Island fans, the postponement is a bitter pill to swallow, especially given the show’s unique format. Love Island films close to air date to maintain its interactive component, allowing viewers to influence what happens inside the villa in real time. With the schedule now up in the air, ITV has yet to announce when filming will resume or when the new season might finally hit screens. The uncertainty has left viewers, contestants, and even the host waiting anxiously for news.
Despite the setback, the excitement around Love Island: All Stars remains palpable. The return of past winners and memorable Islanders promises plenty of fireworks once the cameras start rolling again. Until then, the safety of everyone involved remains the top priority, as ITV and local authorities continue to monitor the wildfire situation closely.
As the flames are brought under control and the smoke begins to clear, all eyes will be on ITV for updates about when the beloved reality series will make its triumphant return. For now, the villa stands empty, its famous fire pit untouched—not by the drama of recouplings, but by the very real danger of the wildfires that have swept through the Western Cape.
