‘Real reason' all Love Island contestants look the same as tool used in show casting process revealed
Fans of the dating show have long accused bosses of picking copycat Islanders, including this year's Irish actress Megan Forte Clarke who was deemed a lookalike of show star Maura Higgins.
Irish model Maura, 34, appeared in series 5 in 2019 and has since gone on to appear in I'm a Celebrity.
Now ITV has revealed automated technology has been used to help whittle down the thousands of applications.
Boss Carolyn McCall said: 'We will use AI in any way we can to make what we do more efficient. Studios used it for Love Island and casting this year, and the team rated it eight out of ten.'
An ITV production source said the tool was not used to make any final decisions — but that it assisted with handling audition footage.
The revelation comes amid viewer outcry over the shock return of Megan, 24, to the series on Wednesday, despite her being evicted just three weeks in.
The musical theatre performer lost her place in the Mallorca villa after viewers voted her the least 'favourite girl'.
One fan ranted on X: 'The fact she's on my TV when I voted her out? What happened to democracy?'
Another said they had lodged a complaint with Ofcom and said: 'Megan has been out of that villa for weeks and had the chance to read all of the public's opinions and it's so close to the end she's pretty much guaranteed a spot in the final.'
She returned with Spanish lad Blu, who was also dumped earlier in the series.
Fans are not charged to take part in voting for Love Island on ITV's dedicated mobile phone app.
Love Island fans slam dumped villa boy as they spot moment his 'mask slipped' in 'nasty' rant
But the voting terms and conditions state: 'The producers of the programme may in their discretion introduce an Islander seen in earlier stages of the competition who was previously evicted.'
Meanwhile, broadcaster ITV has reported a 44 per cent drop in half-year pre-tax profits to £99million, down from £178million last year.
Advertising revenues have fallen by seven per cent.
Following swingeing cuts to its daytime shows GMB, Lorraine and Loose Women earlier this year, ITV now plans to cut an extra £15million in costs — on top of the £30million already outlined.
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Love Island's biggest Ofcom complaints
Love Island has been hit with thousands of complaints over the years - here are the most moaned about moments
Dani's tears: In 2018, Ofcom received 2,644 complaints when Dani Dyer was left in floods of tears over Jack Fincham during the Casa Amor.
Viewers felt the show had been manipulated to make it appear Jack was going to cheat, when in fact he wasn't. And poor Dani didn't learn the truth for days.
Maura fury: Although she later won over the public, Maura Higgins got off to a bad start in 2019. After arriving as a bombshell, she made a beeline for Tommy Fury - who was coupled up with Molly-Mae Hague - and tried to kiss him while straddling him on a daybed. 709 people accused her actions of being 'sexual harassment'.
Faye explodes: The 2021 series of Love Island remains the most complained series about yet. 4,330 complaints were made to Ofcom after Faye Winter received a postcard from Casa Amor, which appeared to show her fella Teddy Soares kissing a bombshell.
But a whopping 24,763 complaints flooded in when Faye came face-to-face with Teddy again. Faye's shocking outburst even sparked a reaction from male domestic abuse charity, ManKind Initiative, who branded her 'unacceptable'.
Bish bash: The following year, the fallout from Movie Night sparked 3,617 Ofcom complaints. Fans of the show were horrified by Luca Bish's harsh reaction when Gemma Owen was shown speaking to bombshell Billy Brown.
Muggy Mitch: Almost 1,000 Ofcom complaints flooded in from viewers unimpressed with Mitchel Taylor's treatment of Abi Moores.
They felt he was 'targeting' her and even urged Love Island bosses to check on Abi's 'mental health and welfare'.
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