Love Island bosses 'want almost half of 2021 contestants to be bisexual' to boost representation

Love Island producers are hoping to boost diversity in the upcoming 2021 series by casting a high number of bisexual contestants.

The hit ITV reality romance show has seen a number of high-profile relationships emerge from the series over the past six years – with some same-sex couples forming on and off screen.

New reports say the makers of the series are hoping to see more same-sex couplings on the show and are said to be keen to feature a cast that is almost half bisexual.

It is hoped that including sexually fluid contestants will lead to even more organic romances finding their spark within the famous villa.

Maura Higgins has previously hinted she has enjoyed past same-sex encounters (ITV)

According to The Sun on Sunday, producers would be happy if 40 per cent of the singletons taking part in the upcoming seventh season were attracted to both men and women.

A source told the publication: “ Love Island has always been inclusive – the only criteria is that you’re over 18 and looking for love.

“But this is the first year that finding contestants with more fluid sexuality has been part of the briefing.

Katie Salmon was the first openly bisexual contestant on Love Island and chose to couple up with Sophie Gradon on the show (WENN)

“The casting team have been doing their best to tick that box as they whittle down the pool of contestants to the final numbers.”

The source added: “The advantage Love Island has over these shows is that the pairings are organic. No one puts them together, they choose each other. So there is the potential for genuine same-sex relationships.”

Katie Salmon was the first bisexual star to be signed up to the show back in 2016, and had a brief romance with fellow Love Island star Sophie Gradon, who passed away in 2018.

Love Island contestant Maura Higgins, who starred on the show in 2019, claimed she had experimented with same-sex relationships in her earlier years.

The smash hit series will be returning to screens next month – and it is believed the show will return to the Spanish island of Majorca for the new season.

It will have been over a year since Love Island last aired following the Winter edition over January and February 2020 and after the summer edition of the show last year was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.