Raf Thompson

[Raf Thompson @RafThompson]

@onthatile_re 🫡

[Raf Thompson @RafThompson]

Hey Sophie, great question! The only way Love Island UK improves is if execs really listen to what viewers are asking for which is smarter casting, fresher ideas, and small tweaks that bring back unpredictability. ITV & the production company Lifted Entertainment have a great relationship so, that’s not going change anytime soon. But, Love Island USA moving to Peacock from CBS shows how platform freedom can really change the energy of a show, especially in it’s casting! I’d love to see the UK version take more creative risks again with its casting and ideas.

[Raf Thompson @RafThompson]

I’ve worked on #LoveIsland UK since Series 5, producing Series 5-10, before moving on to Love Island USA and Love Island Australia. I’m incredibly proud to have been part of a show that has become embedded in British culture. The twists, drama, and unforgettable cast members have created some of the best reality television of the last decade.

But if we’re being honest, one issue has persisted for years: casting.

Time and time again, Love Island UK has failed to truly reflect the diversity of modern Britain. Representation matters, and no group has been more consistently let down than Black women. Ironically, Black women have been some of the show’s most loyal supporters, driving conversations online, creating viral moments, and helping keep the show culturally relevant.

Yet year after year, we continue to cast Black women alongside men who openly or implicitly don’t date Black women. The result is a cycle that viewers have watched repeatedly: rejection, exclusion, and disappointment. For young Black girls watching at home, that’s a damaging message. For audiences generally, it’s become predictable and exhausting.

When I left after Series 10, things were improving. Contestants like Tyrique, Ella, Catherine, Whitney & previous series with Dami, Indiyah, Kai, Sanam, Kaz, Samira, Yewande and others helped create some of the show’s most memorable storylines.

However, working on Love Island USA showed me how powerful genuine representation can be. Seeing contestants from different racial, cultural and ethnic backgrounds authentically connect created richer stories, stronger characters, and ultimately a bigger audience.

My role on Love Island was in edit producing, not casting despite my vast experience in casting on other shows I raised concerns about casting throughout my time on the show.

If Love Island UK wants to reverse its ratings decline, it needs to listen to viewers. Audiences are asking for fresher casting, more authentic representation, and a creative reset. If those changes don’t happen, I genuinely worry about the long-term future of a show that so many of us care deeply about.

For the culture.

[sᴜᴘᴇʀ ᴛᴠ @superTV247]

RATINGS! #LoveIsland kicked off last night with just 600k viewers on ITV2.

It’s the lowest figure for the regular series since it began 10 years ago, down almost 50% on last year, and even lower than any launch of Big Brother on ITV2.

[Raf Thompson @RafThompson]

Just look at the technique on this. It still blows my mind till this day!

[Ryan @bernardooooV3]

Even as a rival fan you have to admit, this Rice goal is one of the best free kick goals in UCL history

[Raf Thompson @RafThompson]

It’s time to push Chad Gable to the moon.

No matter what’s thrown at him Alpha Academy, American Made, comedy angles, or El Grande Americano
he makes it work. What he did in AAA was incredible and showed just how committed he is to the craft.

The crowd is invested. He’s earned their trust. Now give him a World Title shot.

[Chad Gable @WWEGable]

Enjoy tonight’s Mask vs Mask ENCORE Presentation, and I INVITE YOU ALL to check out this short preview of my self-produced and self-edited documentary series about my injuries and comeback, “The Renewal.”

Dropping Friday!

Subscribe https://t.co/T1LlsyPPKv

#WWERAW

[Raf Thompson @RafThompson]

I watched Antoine Semenyo’s interview about Andoni Iraola’s methods at Bournemouth: six-day training weeks, relentless conditioning, huge physical demands, and a focus on endurance over excessive ball work.

Bournemouth didn’t always get the playing style right at first, but one thing opponents couldn’t do was outrun them. They became fitter, stronger, and mentally tougher as the season progressed.

Next season, I’m honestly not too concerned about the results in the first half of the campaign. What I want to see is a Liverpool team that’s horrible to play against—aggressive out of possession, hunting the ball down, and relying on the quality we have in attack to win games.

We need structure and solidity before we think about style. Back to basics.

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨💣 BREAKING: Liverpool reach agreement in principle to appoint Andoni Iraola as new manager, here we go! 🔴🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

Exclusive story from Saturday, 100% confirmed: Arne Slot left and Iraola will lead #LFC project, as expected.

Talks advanced over last 48h and deal in place.

[Raf Thompson @RafThompson]

Huge loss for Liverpool. Ibrahima Konaté was a rock at the back, combining pace, strength, and outstanding defensive instincts. He was an excellent tackler and always looked composed in 1v1 situations.

While he wasn’t always at his best on the ball when pressed in difficult areas, his awareness and positioning in the back line were world-class. Liverpool often lacked the midfield protection needed to help both Virgil and Konaté.

He’s colossal and would be a fantastic addition to Real Madrid. He’ll be very difficult to replace.

[Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano]

🚨💣 BREAKING: Real Madrid have verbal agreement in place with Ibrahima Konaté!

Four year deal to be signed, depending on if/when Florentino Pérez is re-elected.

Here we go, expected right after. 🔜

Konaté put Saudi bids on hold for Real Madrid, as @marcosbenito9 reported.

[Raf Thompson @RafThompson]

20 years in the game is the real prize. Salute to the longevity.

[Pitch Yarns @pitch_yarns]

736 men arrived in Germany in 2006.

Only 4 remain in 2026.

[Raf Thompson @RafThompson]

That video is shocking and heartbreaking. Rest in peace to the young man.

The police got it badly wrong. No matter what happened beforehand, if someone is seriously injured, they have a basic human right to receive immediate medical attention. Medical care should come first when a person is fighting for their life.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this devastating time.

[Sky News @SkyNews]

BREAKING: Vickrum Digwa has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years after being found guilty of murdering 18-year-old university student Henry Nowak

Sky correspondent @emmabirchley reports, after the victim's family spoke outside court

https://t.co/ebI3PHMqu6