Only six of this year’s 36 Love Island contestants were cast through the show’s general application process.
The revelation was made in written evidence to Westminster’s digital, culture, media and sport committee, which is investigating reality TV.
ITV chief executive Dame Carolyn McCall told MPs 24 contestants were found by the programme’s casting team and six were put forward by professional agents.
Among those in the villa this year were Curtis Pritchard, a professional on the Irish version of Dancing With The Stars, boxer Tommy Fury, the brother of world champion Tyson Fury, and Molly-Mae Hague, an influencer who already had a significant following on Instagram.
McCall previously told MPs ITV gets about 98,000 applications for Love Island.
She denied that casting directors are given instructions about physical appearance and said the “rigorous” casting process includes medical and psychological questionnaires.
