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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Lucy Needham

Summer Love Island confirmed as applications open days after Caroline Flack's death

Love Island will return this summer amid calls for the show to be axed following the death of Caroline Flack.

The former host was found at her north London home on Saturday, making her the third star from the ITV2 dating show to take her own life after Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassistis.

After the tragic news was confirmed by Caroline's family, many Love Island fans questioned if the show should be taken off air.

However, ITV have confirmed the show will return in the summer as usual with a public appeal going out for new contestants.

An advert shown on the TVBe On TV Website asked potential islanders: "How do you fancy finding love in the sun?

"We're now on the lookout for lively singles from across the country to take part.

"ITV2 are looking for vibrant singles from across the UK who want to head to the sun, in search of love!

"The chosen cast will spend time in a luxury villa, getting to know one another, but to remain in paradise they must win the hearts of the public and their fellow Islanders who ultimately decide their fate on Love Island."

The post, originally published on January 12, urged: "If you think you’ve got what it takes, then we want to hear from you straight away."

Applications for the new show will remain open until April 30.

The Love Island stars haven't been told the news about Caroline Flack (ITV)

The current series is due to end on Sunday with either Paige Turley and Finn Tapp, Siânise Fudge and Luke Trotman, Demi Jones and Luke Mabbott, Jess Gale and Ched Uzor and Priscilla Anyabu and Mike Boateng taking the top prize.

The first winter edition was hit by tragedy following the death of long-term host Caroline.

Troubled Caroline had been taking some time out and was replaced by Laura Whitmore following her assault arrest in December.

She took her own life weeks before the case was set to reach trial in March.

ITV bosses made the decision not to tell the contestants in the Cape Town villa about Caroline's death and let the series continue after two episodes were pulled.

Fans of the show can bag the chance to appear on the show and potentially bag a new partner and the £50,000 prize (ITV)

However, many fans and celebs shared their view that the show should be scrapped altogether.

Eamonn Holmes was one of the first to call for the show to go, telling his Twitter followers: "Caroline Flack .... Dear God.

"Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace. #Rip Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?"

While former contestant Malin Andersson reshared a post from ITV saying that they would pay tribute to Caroline in the first episode of Love Island after her death.

"I think this isn’t enough..." wrote Malin in response.

Laura Whitmore defended the show and said Caroline would have wanted it to continue (ITV)

Stand-in host Laura Whitmore has insisted that Love Island is not to blame for Caroline's death and her good friend wouldn't want to see it axed.

Speaking on her Radio 5 Live show, Laura said: "Caroline loved to love. That's all she wanted."

"Which is why the show Love Island is important to her because the show is about finding love, friendship, having a laugh.

"The problem wasn't the show, the show to work on is loving and caring and safe and protected. The problem is the outside world is not."

* Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org

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