Love Island hopefuls hand over social media passwords in new verification process

The showmakers are taking further steps to research contestants looking to compete in the 2022 series to avoid red faces as historical online commentary resurfaces to haunt them

Video is loading

Video not available

The video will start playing automatically soon8thCancel

Play Now

Love Island: AJ and Danny were double dumped out of the mansion

Love Island bosses will be more rigorous in their screening process for 2022 candidates – and will conduct thorough background checks on previous social media posts.

The hit ITV2 reality romance show has been rocked by scandals in the past, with contestants appearing on the show only because of unacceptable previous online comments.

Last year, Danny Bibby’s inclusion on the dating show sparked an angry backlash when it was discovered he had used racist language on previous social media posts.

Bosses are taking extra action this year by researching potential singletons’ past comments to avoid a similar backlash in the upcoming eighth series.

A source told The Sun on Sunday: “In the past they’ve been embarrassed so this new review will flag up any issues and ensure they don’t show bugs on national television.”

The Sun also claims that a third-party company called socialmediacheck. com were drafted to research all applicants.

It is reported that the company will spend 24 hours examining the past posts of all participants and flagging any posts or messages in question.

While a video for the company on its website reveals, “Our machine learning tools look for profanity and profanity, adult imagery, hate speech and violent imagery, toxic language, negative vibes.”

Love Island drew criticism from viewers last year when Danny, 26,’s previous Instagram comments resurfaced and showed him using the n-word.

He was given an opportunity by bosses to apologize during the program over the backlash – violating a general rule that participants have no information about the outside world.

However, some fans were still unfazed by the show and asked to be shown him the door – especially as some contestants had been kicked out of the series for similar incidents in the past.

In addition to scrutinizing their social media pasts, show bosses also subject applicants to mental health tests following the death of former contestant Mike Thalassitis, who appeared on the show in 2017, committed suicide in 2019 at the age of 26.

While greater support has been offered to cast members who have joined in recent years after Mike’s death, as well as presenter Caroline Flack, who died in 2020, and former contestant Sophie Gradon, who died in 2018.

Former winner Amber Davies said she would not be on the show if she applied today.

The 25-year-old explained: “When I did it five years ago it wasn’t as vicious as it is now – the hate online they all get is wild.

“I’m so glad I did it then. I was only 20 when I won and looking back I’m like, ‘Wow, I was really strong’. The new candidates need a good support system and a really thick skin.”

Do you have a story to sell? Contact us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us directly on 0207 29 33033.