Contestants on ITV2's hit dating show Love Island are bound by a series of strict and surprising regulations while searching for romance in the famous villa. As the All Stars edition brings back familiar faces like Belle Hassan, Jess Harding, and Ciaran Davies, the behind-the-scenes rules that govern their behaviour have come to light.
Strict Villa Conduct: Smoking, Drinking and Dining
Gone are the days of the iconic smoking area gossip and booze-fuelled rows. Islanders are now completely banned from smoking or vaping anywhere inside the villa, and must exit the complex one at a time if they wish to indulge. Their alcohol intake is severely limited to just two drinks per evening, with former contestant Demi Jones revealing there must be a significant gap between the first and second beverage.
Perhaps more shocking is the control over food. Contestants only have a say in their breakfast, with lunch and dinner delivered through a secret door in the larder by catering teams. Ex-Islanders have complained about the quality, with reports of food poisoning circulating. Even chewing gum is a prohibited item, subject to confiscation if smuggled in.
Psychological Controls: Time Bans and Producer Influence
One of the most psychologically impactful rules is the complete ban on knowing the time. No clocks, watches, or phones are allowed, deliberately disorienting contestants. Many alumni blame this, combined with extreme filming hours and sleep deprivation, for the dramatic and sometimes erratic behaviour witnessed on screen.
Producer control extends to conversations. The 'morning debriefs' are mandatory, and chats deemed uninteresting by producers are shut down. Furthermore, no significant drama can be discussed in the pool, as Islanders are not wearing their microphone packs. The only free talk day is Saturday, when filming does not take place.
Banned Items and Secret 'Dry Runs'
Packing for the villa comes with unusual restrictions. Heavily branded clothing is discouraged, and contestants are reportedly limited to just one or two razors for their entire stay. The selection process itself involves a secret rehearsal known as a 'dry run'.
As revealed by narrator Iain Stirling on the So Bad It's Good podcast, producers use a separate, non-televised cast for a three-day practice run before the real show begins. Stirling hinted these sessions can be even more outrageous, stating, "if you think people going on the show get up to no good. Imagine what they do if they know it's not televised."
Love Island: All Stars continues nightly at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
