Professional dancer Curtis Pritchard is poised for a dramatic return to Love Island: All Stars, marking his fourth stint on the hit ITV2 franchise. The 29-year-old, currently in South Africa, is waiting to enter the villa as a bombshell, a year after his romance with fellow Islander Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu ended.
A Veteran Islander's Comeback
Curtis Pritchard first found fame on the 2019 series of Love Island, where his relationships with Amy Hart and later Maura Higgins captivated viewers. He returned for last year's All Stars edition, leaving the show in a relationship with Ekin-Su. The couple stayed together until May 2025, when they announced their split. His upcoming appearance follows a six-day stint on the spin-off series Love Island: The Games in 2023.
Exclusive photos obtained by the Daily Mail show Curtis sunning himself in colourful swim shorts in Cape Town, accompanied by a chaperone, as he awaits his grand entrance. A show source revealed: 'Curtis is coming back for All Stars and is currently waiting in the wings as a bombshell. Producers were keeping his entrance under wraps, knowing that his return to the franchise for the fourth time will certainly create a reaction among viewers.'
Production Halted by Wildfires
The launch of the new series has hit a significant snag. Filming was originally scheduled to start on Saturday ahead of Monday night's launch, but dangerous wildfires near the villa in Cape Town have forced a delay. ITV bosses are now assessing the situation 'day by day,' hoping to begin later this week.
This postponement is proving costly. Reports indicate the delay is costing ITV over £15,000 an hour due to commitments to crew, staff, camera operators, and psychologists who are all on the ground in South Africa. Host Maya Jama is also in Cape Town, having flown out last week.
Unfinished Business and Fan Clues
With bosses promising a theme of 'unfinished business' for this series, fans are now speculating whether Ekin-Su might also make a return to confront Curtis about their 2025 breakup. However, she has previously vowed not to appear on more reality TV after stints on Dancing On Ice, Netflix's Inside, and The Traitors US.
Eagle-eyed fans may have already spotted a clue about Curtis's involvement. At the show's launch event last week, napkins featured his famous 2019 quote about wanting 'to be the person that gets up and makes everyone a coffee so everyone is ready for the morning.'
The 12 confirmed Islanders, including Millie Court and Tommy Bradley, are staying in high-end accommodation alongside several unannounced bombshells. Curtis will now emulate Casey O'Gorman, who appeared on the show four times before winning last year's All Stars with Gabby Allen. Meanwhile, his other famous ex, Maura Higgins, was notably absent, having raised her profile at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night.
