We've finally reached peak Love Island

There's more to ITV's reality dating show than watching beautiful people sunbathe. But producers need to shake up the format or risk burning itself out

That’s right, folks: Love Island is back. The usual parade of incredibly attractive contestants have made their way to the villa, the only difference this time (aside from the presenter) being the location. Undeterred by the European winter, the show has headed to South Africa to treat us to an out-of-season special.

Since its launch in 2015, Love Island has become a staple in British popular culture. I for one have given over the past five summers to watching the trials and tribulations of the perfectly-manicured. But with the show now seemingly biannual, have we finally reached peak Love Island?

Within the first few minutes of the new series, I realised I could have been watching any of the previous installments, as the same cast of lookalikes sauntered into the villa. All of the contestants again conform to a very narrow standard of beauty with their sculpted gym bodies, dazzling smiles and glossy hair. It would be nice to see a more diverse range of Islanders. It would be nice if the producers would acknowledge that beauty doesn’t just mean slim or ripped. Though judging by their track record about what they consider to be plus size (last season’s Anna Vakili) I am not holding out hope.

The choices the Islanders made were incredibly predictable. All the women want a man who was tall, dark and handsome while the men all seemed to have their head turned by the arrival of the blonde identical twins. There was also a disappointing sense of deja vu when yet again people of colour were overlooked in favour of the white contestants. None of the cast stepped forward for Nas and echoing previous years, Leanne was the last to be chosen.

I also forgot just how dull the first few episodes can be. Nobody stood out as a real character. After the initial excitement of the first coupling, all there was to look forward to was forced conversation and awkward flirting. Understandably people don’t want to rock the boat at such an early stage and scare off potential partners. The only slight dramatic moment in the opening episode was when Connor randomly seemed to take offence at Sophie’s light-hearted teasing.

When the show actually gets going it can be a lot of fun – especially once the Islanders relax and get to know each other. That is when the laughter and general silliness begins. Sometimes the best moments are watching the friendships – rather than romances – blossom, complete with inside jokes and funny catchphrases. If we could only skip past the first couple of weeks and get straight to the good stuff when everyone’s true personalities have taken centre stage I think there would be less viewer fatigue.

Despite my grumblings, there is something incredibly compelling about watching people trying to form genuine connections with one another. And Love Island does often spark important conversations on social media as well.

The last couple of series have provided opportunities to discuss issues such as racism, sexism and control within relationships. I am not suggesting that Love Island is in any way highbrow but there is more to it than just watching people sunbathe.

Having said that, I am still not convinced we need two series a year. At the very least the show could do with a shakeup to stop it from becoming too predictable and stale. With a new villa and a new presenter at the helm, now is the perfect opportunity for the producers to do just that and avoid the very real risk of a Love Island overload.