As the highly anticipated Love Island All Stars series faces an unexpected delay, returning contestant Ciaran Davies has candidly shared his biggest gripe about life in the famous ITV villa: the catering.
Ciaran's Culinary Complaints
The 23-year-old Welsh rugby star, who finished as a runner-up in season 11, is set for another shot at love on the reality show. However, he admits one aspect of the experience is far from appetising. "Last time I didn’t like the food," Davies confessed. A self-proclaimed foodie who loves posting meal snaps online, he found the villa fare lacking.
He revealed some of the bizarre meal choices served to islanders, including being presented with a full Sunday roast just half an hour after waking up. "I really didn't know what to do with myself," he said, recalling the unusual breakfasts. The situation became so dire that he and fellow islander Ayo Odukoya began cooking their own food towards the end of his stint.
Strange Meals and Banana Curry
Davies highlighted one particularly odd dish: banana curry. "That was probably the strangest thing," he remarked, though he conceded it was "one of the nicest tasting" meals they were served. He had initially expected normal catering during downtime but was met with a constantly changing and often puzzling menu.
Despite his past experiences, Davies remains hopeful for an improvement during the All Stars series. Having sampled "amazing" South African food while in pre-show holding, he is optimistic the villa catering will meet a higher standard this time around.
Contradictory Accounts from the Villa
Not all former islanders share Davies's critical view. Callum Jones, another Love Island and All Stars alumnus, described the food as "not too bad." He explained that while islanders make their own breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided by caterers offering a variety of options, including different meats, fish, and vegan dishes.
Jones did note that specific food requests were "limited" and could take weeks to fulfil. However, he confirmed a well-stocked fridge was available for snacks, and islanders could even order from a local takeaway once a week.
Beyond the food, Davies admitted he is also not looking forward to the cringe-worthy talent show or the heart rate challenge. His primary goal for returning remains genuine: he is keen to "find a girlfriend." His previous relationship with co-star Nicole Samuel, which began in the villa, ended a few months after the show.
The launch of Love Island All Stars has been dramatically postponed after raging wildfires in South Africa forced an immediate production halt and the evacuation of the team. The show was originally scheduled to begin on January 12, 2026. ITV has stated that "health and safety is our greatest priority" and a new start date is yet to be confirmed.
