ITV has officially confirmed the air date for the highly-anticipated new Love Island: All Stars series featuring loads of “familiar faces”.
And it’s happening SO much sooner than we were expecting.
In case you missed it, after rumours had been widely-circulating on social media for several months, and fans had been eagerly awaiting to hear whether or not there was actually any truth to them, ITV officially confirmed back in September that the first-ever Love Island: All Stars series was, in fact, in the works and on the way “very soon”.
At the time, the show was teased to be hitting our TV screens “early” in the new year, and it turns out that wasn’t a lie, as viewers will be able to tune into the new series merely weeks after 2024 has got underway.
Get your alarms set and ready to go, as Love Island: All Stars will kick off on Monday 15 January at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
Produced by Lifted Entertainment – which is part of ITV Studios – and set in South Africa, just like the previous two winter Love Island series have been, the first series of Love Island: All Stars will see a lineup of legendary islanders venture back into TV’s most-talked-about villa for “a second chance at finding the one”.
Contestants from former series will each attempt to find love once again as they “crack on in a bid to couple up and avoid being dumped from the Island,” ITV explained as it teased the new show.
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And apparently, just like regular viewers of the massively-popular reality show will know all too well, newly-formed relationships in the villa will be put to the test as bombshells enter, which will see heads turn and leave some lovestruck hopefuls heartbroken in the ultimate quest for love.
ITV has confirmed the air date for the highly-anticipated new Love Island: All Stars series / Credit: ITV
As the couples “explore their connections” and “attempt to win the hearts of each other and the nation”, only one pair will be crowned the winners.
Speaking ahead of the new series airing later this month, Mike Spencer – Creative Director at Lifted Entertainment – said: “It has been rumoured now for a while, but we are thrilled to finally confirm that we are making Love Island: All Stars early next year.
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“It’s set to be a must-watch series, seeing some of your favourite Islanders from across the years heading back to the stunning South African villa to once again ‘graft’ as their search for love continues.”
He added: “I know the audience will welcome back some of the most iconic UK Islanders, as they set out in pursuit of love all over again in a brand new version of our worldwide hit.”
Featured Image – ITV
TV & Showbiz
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Micah Richards reveals dad ‘unexpectedly’ died shortly before going on air for England v Argentina last night
Emily Sergeant
Micah Richards has revealed that his dad died shortly before he went on air for the World Cup semi final last night.
The former right back – who most-notably played for Manchester City for a decade from 2005-2015, and for the England national team from 2006-2012 – was one of the BBC’s pundits providing on-air analysis last night as England faced Argentina in a highly anticipated semi final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup last night.
The two teams faced off in Atlanta, and while goals came from both sides, it was ultimately Argentina that reigned supreme – securing a 2-1 win over the Three Lions.
But while much of the country is grieving the fact that football won’t be ‘coming home’ (well, for another two years at least), Richards is grieving on a deeper level.
He took to Instagram after the loss last night to share with his 1.4m followers that shortly before he went on air, his father Lincoln passed away ‘unexpectedly’ – calling him the ‘proudest parent possible’ in a touching tribute.
“He has left us all too soon,” Richards began in his tribute.
“Hwas my greatest fan. He barely missed a game my entire life. He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career. It was so rare for him to not be by my side.
“I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else.
“I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would’ve wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th January 2024 
