Fans of the hit reality show Love Island have been left in suspense after the launch of the highly anticipated All Stars series was unexpectedly postponed. The delay was forced by devastating wildfires that broke out perilously close to the show's villa location in South Africa's Western Cape.
Production Halted on Safety Grounds
Filming for the third series of Love Island: All Stars was scheduled to commence over the weekend of 10-11 January 2026. However, ITV was compelled to suspend all production and evacuate the crew after wildfires, fuelled by 34C heat and strong winds, erupted less than two miles from the villa in the Franschhoek wine region. An ITV spokesperson confirmed the decision, stating that "health and safety is our greatest priority and will always come first."
The spokesperson further announced that the transmission of the series would be delayed until a new date could be confirmed. An insider revealed to the Daily Star that while the situation is a "massive nightmare" for ITV, bosses are working to get the show back on track, with a hope it could still air later in the week.
Maya Jama's Cryptic Social Media Post
With filming on hold, the show's presenter, Maya Jama, has remained in Cape Town. She recently sent her 3.8 million Instagram followers into a frenzy by sharing a series of sun-drenched photographs from her downtime. The images showcased her posing by a pool, but it was the accompanying caption that sparked speculation.
Maya simply posted a single clock emoji alongside the pictures, leading many fans to interpret it as a reference to the anxious wait for the show to begin. Followers flooded the comments with praise for her "natural radiance," with one admirer writing, "I just can't cope, wow," and another declaring the scene their "idea of heaven."
Contestants and Crew in Safe Holding Pattern
According to reports, all individuals involved in the production are safe. Maya Jama is staying at a private villa, while the All Stars contestants are being looked after by individual chaperones. The production team is closely monitoring the situation, with decisions being made day-by-day regarding when it will be safe for the islanders to finally enter the iconic villa.
For fans eager to get their Love Island fix, the first two series of Love Island All Stars remain available to stream on ITVX. The nation now waits for ITV to announce the updated start date for the delayed third series.
