It appears that bosses at ITV are planning to launch a spin-off Love Island series for the 'middle-aged' with 'normal bodies'.
The news follows calls from fans of the hit show for producers to represent a wider variety of bodies and include older cast members.
Filming for the 'mature series' is meant to start this year if reports in The Sun are to be believed.
The spin-off series is said to have the working title ‘Your Mum, My Dad’, and will feature contestants’ children trying to help their parents find romance, reports The Manc.
“Times change and the current generation in their 40s and 50s still care about how they look, are fit and healthy, into fashion and are ready to let their hair down,” a source told The Sun.
The spin-off will feature contestants’ children trying to help their parents find romance / Credit: ITV
“This show will give those who settled down young a second chance at love while they still feel in their prime.”
The source also suggested that contestants in the proposed new mature series may offer something that the main Love Island series hasn’t achieved – “intelligent conversation”
“They know their minds, will be capable of intelligent conversation, and are likely to be much more adventurous.
“All ingredients regular Love Island sometimes lacks.”
The topic of age has been a significant talking point for Love Island fans right from the start this year, especially after it was confirmed that 19-year-old Gemma Owen, daughter of former professional footballer Michael Owen, would be a contestant – making her one of the youngest to take part in the show’s history.
Her entry sparked numerous online conversations about whether there should be a minimum age to enter the villa, and whether people are emotionally mature enough for the Love Island experience at that formative time in their lives.
The oldest contestants on this year’s series appear to be current contestant Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu at 27-years-old, and Jay Younger and Charlie Radnedge, who were both 28 and have since been dumped from the Island.
While producers are declining to confirm whether there is some truth to the reports, if this “middle-aged” spin-off series does become a reality, ITV hopes it will begin airing in 2023.
Featured Image – ITV
News
Get Baked’s viral ‘Bertha’ cake has a sister on the way – and she sounds just as cheeky
She's big, she's green and she's ready to ruin your figure.
A lot of you will have seen the viral ‘Bertha’ cake by Leeds born beloved sweet treat specialists Get Baked.
They recently opened another site in Manchester's Northern Quarter, where queues literally formed round the block of hungry punters wanting to get their hands on the infamous sugary treats.
And now it's going to happen all over again, as they've recently unveiled their newest flavour which is sure to go down a storm.
We’ll give you a hint: it’s a current food and drink trend that’s about as big as Bertha herself – it’s not matcha, it’s not hot honey (duh), and it’s not Guinness…
Images: Get Baked
Yes—scratch that; HELL YES!Get Baked is set to welcome Bertha’s equally beautiful twin sister, and she’s officially a pistachio girlie.
Having started out life simply as ‘Bruce’, after taking inspiration from the iconic scene from Matilda, this thing has become a phenomenon in its own right, and who doesn’t like more flavours of a good thing?
Probably one of the biggest foodie crazes going at the minute, thanks to the popularity of pistachio cream, cookies, lattes and the similar social media sensation that is the ‘Dubai Pistachio Bar' people are rather fittingly going nuts for this particular flavour of almost absolutely anything.
With that in mind, the Leeds-born bakery and dessert shop – founded by Rich Myers over in Headingley back in 2011 – have shown no hesitation in hopping on the bandwagon and creating a new twist on their own viral menu item.
Teasing the full details in a post on their Instagram this week, they wrote: “What’s big, green, and is going to destroy your life in a couple of weeks’ time? Pistachio Bertha. Strictly limited to 5,000 slices. Coming oh so soon. GB.”
In case you were wondering just how mad those with a sweet tooth could possibly go for a slice of cake, just look at the recent queues when they finally launched in Manchester city centre:
Speaking on the grand opening here on our turf and his partner Amy’s hometown, Myers said simply: “Manchester, what a launch. Thanks for much for the warm welcome. Stay baked.”
Leeds Tattoo Expo to return to the First Direct Arena for 10th anniversary
Clementine Hall
The tenth annual Leeds Tattoo Expo will showcase some of the best in tattooing both local and internationally.
If you fancy getting yourself a fancy new bit of ink, then look no further than the iconic Leeds Tattoo Expo that will be returning to the First Direct Arena this June.
Taking place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June 2025, over 200 tattooists and 70 traders will be flocking to the city to show off their skills.
And not only that, but there’ll also be a whole host of market traders for you to browse as well as live music to have a boogie to.
The artists will be tattooing with options for both pre-booked appointments and walk ups available throughout the weekend.
Image: Leeds Tattoo Expo
There will also be a piercer, tooth gems and a henna artist ready to adorn your body.
Alongside getting tattooed, there’s plenty to do and to see over the whole weekend; there'll be an alternative drawing class, an illustrators market with kids’ workshops provided by Art Gecko, an art fusion event on the main stage, burlesque performances and competitions, a small vintage clothing pop-up, fire breathing and break dancing demonstrations in the square outside the arena.
The annual tattoo competitions will also be taking place each evening, where tattooists showcase their work to a panel of judges, sponsored by Killer Ink!
To celebrate Leeds Tattoo Expo's tenth anniversary, they'll be hosting a Pre-Party at Belgrave Music Hall on Thursday 5 June which is a completely free entry event complete with live music and free pizza.
You can find out more about the event and book your tickets here via the First Direct Arena's website.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd July 2022 
