CURVE ISLAND
Show recruiting ‘all shapes and sizes’
LOVE Island bosses want to make the forthcoming series about “all body shapes” and have approached “plus-size” models as contestants.
Insiders say Jada Sezer is among those being lined up to appear on the show.
She is a size-16 model who has run the London Marathon in just her underwear and trainers.
Almost all the men and women who have been on the ITV2 dating show up until now have had “identikit” figures.
A source said: “Previous years have been criticised for a lack of diversity among contestants.
“This year producers are determined to have more variation among the Islanders.
“They want all shapes and sizes taking part – not just a stream of identikit young men and women.
“Given the nature of the show, it’s important the contestants feel body MARATHON Bryony and Jada in undies confident as they spend so much time wearing skimpy clothes or bikinis as they sunbathe and hang out by the pool.
“Jada would be a perfect choice because she is passionate about body positivity – and even appeared on Good Morning Britain in her underwear before running the marathon.
“Producers have been talking at length with her and are hopeful they might feature her later in the series.” Jada, 30, hosts podcasts encouraging
women to love their bodies. She said this year: “I’m a size 16 and I’ve always been a size 16. “This is my natural weight and I’ve been able to make a career from it.
“If I was to stop liking cake and lost weight then I would probably lose clients because when you get down to a size 14/12 it can be harder to get jobs.” She did the marathon for charity in 2018 alongside journalist Bryony Gordon who also ran it in just underwear. Their aim was to promote body positivity for all sizes.
Last year’s series of Love Island was won by Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham. It also featured Wes Nelson, Zara McDermott, Megan Barton Hanson and Kazimir Crossley. The fifth series of the reality show starts next month. ITV said yesterday: “When casting for Love Island we always strive to reflect the age, experiences and diversity of our audience and this year is no exception with a cross section of different personalities and backgrounds in the villa.”
It comes after Love Island bosses issued a statement about their improved mental health aftercare, following the deaths of two former contestants.
Sophie Gradon, 32, who appeared in season two in 2016, was found dead last year. At the inquest the coroner returned a verdict of suicide.
Mike Thalassitis, 26, who took part in the 2017 series, died in March in what was thought to be a suicide. The inquest is expected to take place this month.
Controversial programme The Jeremy Kyle Show has been permanently axed by ITV following the suspected suicide of one of its guests, 63-year-old Steven Dymond. He was found dead at his home in Portsmouth, Hants, after he failed a lie detector on the show.
They want all shapes taking part – not a stream of identikit young men and women
LOVE ISLAND SOURCE ON THINKING BEHIND THE NEW SERIES