The coronavirus lockdown has cast a long shadow over the future of hit ITV show Love Island, a channel boss has admitted.
ITV's Director of Television Kevin Lygo confirmed social distancing rules may make it impossible for Love Island to return to production in Mallorca this summer, reports the Mirror.
He told a virtual Edinburgh TV Festival audience the channel is worried cramming Islanders together in a villa may send the wrong "signal" as the UK obeys strict social-distancing.
Lygo said: "What signal might it be sending out if we're doing a show where everybody is crammed together slobbering over each other, and the rest of the world is told don't go near anyone in the park?"
Love Island's future has been in doubt since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis.
It was previously reported that the show could be filmed in the UK while all non-essential air travel has been put on hold.
The summer series is filmed in Majorca, while the winter series was shot in South Africa.
It has also been reported that the show will still be shot in sunny Spain but a little later than usual.
It traditionally starts in June but may come back on our screens in late summer or autumn.
A source told The Sun: "Reports that bosses are looking at London as an alternative are rubbish.
"Love Island is all about the sunshine and those skimpy outfits around the swimming pool as well as the sexual chemistry between the girls and boys.
"It has that holiday vibe which they just wouldn't be able to ever replicate on a dreary Wednesday in September in London."
They added that the show intends to start filming in August, which is later than usual, but they could even extend that to November if the coronavirus continues to delay plans.
