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
Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Featured Image – Altitude
TV & Showbiz
Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
Emily Sergeant -
4th January 2024 
