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Bristol Post
Entertainment
Harry Rutter & Shannon Brown

Former Love Islander AJ Bunker slams ITV for 'lack of diversity' in Winter series line-up

A former Love Island contestant has criticised ITV bosses for a 'lack of diversity' in the new line-up . AJ Bunker, 30, is calling for more 'representation' on the reality dating show following the 2023 Winter series which returned to screens on Monday, January 16.

The reality TV star is calling for 'more diversity in the show' and has criticised the 'annoying' casting decisions from ITV bosses on the popular program. Speaking to The Mirror, she said of the newest line up: "Where's the Asian representation once again? Like where are my people?"

Full name Andrea Jane Bunker, the former Islander said: "Look, I'm going to be honest, the line-up looks amazing, they're beautiful, they look fun."

Read more: Love Island's Jess Shears and Dom Lever take baby to A&E with chest infection

She told the publication: "In my season they put me and Sharon in, which was good. But I feel like every line-up there's just not much representation for the Asian community.

"They didn't have any Asian people in the last season, not one throughout the whole of the show," AJ explained. She added the dating program will always receive criticism until they start 'putting more diversity in the show'.

"It's just one of those things that annoys me, it's like producers are not learning from previous line-ups," AJ explained after reviewing ITV's new cast. The Mirror contacted ITV for a comment.

The star also spoke of plans for her life after the villa, including a new career change, and plans for more fighting. AJ appeared on the seventh series of the dating program back in 2021, and has taken up boxing, fighting OnlyFans star Elle Brooke.

She said: "I can't give too much away, but I might another fight on the horizon soon, very very soon, so I'm just training and preparing for that. I'm really enjoying the fight world so for me, my goal this year, is to get some boxing belts before the end of the year – I want at least two, that's my goal."

AJ also hopes to delve back into acting: "Also, I've actually started acting classes, it was part of my New Year's resolution. She explained: "It's something I really used to love when I was younger and it's something I want to get back into. Dipping my toe back into it and just seeing where that all goes."

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