The launch date for the first ever Winter edition of Love Island has been leaked.
ITV confirmed earlier this year that there will be two editions of the dating show in 2020 - the usual summer version and a brand new series that will kick off in January from South Africa.
Following the huge record breaking success of this year's summer of love, Love Island bosses are keen to capitalise on the ITV2 dating show's popularity with two series a year.
Staff working on the show are reportedly set to fly out on New Year's Day - with the cast of Islanders jetting out soon after before the launch on January 8.
Bosses are set to use 'test Islanders' to work out the best spots in the new villa to cause maximum drama - but unfortunately the new series will only be six weeks instead of the usual eight.
A TV source told MailOnline : "The new Winter Love Island will launch the second week of January.
"Bosses are still deciding on the final date but it is thought to be January 8 – a week after staff arrive in South Africa. It has been decided that the show will run for six weeks instead of the usual eight.
"The new cast of singletons fly out just days before the launch but bosses work with test Islanders to uncover the best spots in the villa to create drama."
It comes less than six months after Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea seized the final prize and split the money, before breaking up just weeks later.
As usual Caroline Flack will be overseeing all the romantic connections - and rejections - as the host of the Winter series.
While comedian Iain Stirling will also return to give his hilarious insights in the villa goings on.
Further details have been kept under wraps, but Iain did tease a few details during a recent appearance on Good Morning Britain.
He said: "Do you know what, it’s gonna be an absolute blast.
"Winter Love Island is gonna come back sooner than you thought and it’s gonna be enjoyable.”
The closing date for auditions is 30 November 2019 - so there is still time if you want a bag a place.
A first look at some possible contestants from the new series was given by a very unlikely source last week.
TV bosses are now in the process of whittling down single hopefuls to source a dream cast for the hotly anticipated series - and it was a politician who gave us a first glmipse.
During a visit to Salford's Media City, Labour MP Andrew Gwynne stumbled across a queue of auditions for the show, and tweeted a snap of some would-be contestants hoping to impress producers.
"Heaven or Hell? Arrive at ITV @MediaCityUK to the joys of @LoveIsland auditions!" Andrew told his followers on Twitter .
