Love Island producers have strenuously denied the show is fixed after a purported ITV production manual allegedly revealed its viewers are manipulated into voting for certain Islanders.
The secret dossier is said to guide producers in which methods they should use to boost viewership, including suggesting topics for the Islanders to discuss, as well as influencing the public vote, according to The Sun.
But show insiders have since denied the claims, telling MailOnline: ‘Love Island is not fixed. The audience ultimately decide the winner of Love Island as the winner is chosen solely by public vote.
Shocking: Love Island fans are reportedly being deceived by producers, as an ITV production manual has allegedly revealed that viewers into manipulated into voting for certain Islanders
‘As anyone who watches the show regularly would know, Love Island has always been a combination of reality and produced elements that are reactive to what’s happening in the villa, and we have always been completely transparent about this and the way the show is produced.
‘This is often acknowledged in the voice over by Iain Stirling.’
This year’s Love Island has been its most-viewed yet with over 3 million viewers tuning in, and thanks to sponsorship deals and endless social media interest it has been a colossal moneymaker for ITV2.
In the 408-page document, it allegedly explains how producers can boost interest in the show while making sure the most talked-about Islanders aren’t dumped from the villa in a surprise eviction.
Revealed: In a 408-page document allegedly acquired by The Sun, it gives instructions to producers on how to manipulate the vote so their favourite Islanders stay
It reportedly adds that even after a public vote, Islanders could be given a final say on who goes home to make sure the show goes in the direction bosses would prefer
But a spokesperson insists fans of the show are made aware of the voting process well in advance, adding: ‘The terms of all votes are made clear to viewers when the vote is announced and the decision reached, whether by viewers or Islanders or a combination of the two, is the one implemented.’
The alleged dossier also reportedly explains how Islanders are given suggested conversation topics by producers to make sure the series is packed with drama, and that the so-called text messages are not even sent to the villa-goers.
‘It is absolutely untrue to suggest that Love Island is fake,’ the spokesperson continued.
‘The opinions they have and the relationships formed are completely within the control of the Islanders themselves.’
Not open: It also describes how series bosses will give Islanders the final say on who gets dumped if the public vote doesn’t go their way
Popular: The series has been a huge hit for ITV, with ratings significantly higher than the previous year, and many of its stars becoming household names even after they have left the villa
These reports come just a day before Love Island’s fourth series reaches a thrilling climax after eight weeks of romance, with one final couple set to be dumped on Sunday night before the big final on Monday.
The series has been a huge hit for ITV, with ratings significantly higher than the previous year, and many of its stars becoming household names even after they have left the villa.
The Sun also reports that through a sponsorship deal with Superdrug the show has brought more than 200,000 extra visitors to the beauty brand’s website, boosting profits by 16%.
The fans themselves have never held back from sharing views that the show is fixed, furiously taking to Twitter to slam the show if their favourite couple gets dumped from the Island.
Ending: The news comes as the fourth series of the ITV2 hit series is set to end on Monday after eight weeks
