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[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.

[Jake Shields @jakeshieldsajj]

I’m not dying for Israel

[ً @prinkasusa]

Fun fact: when women are on their period, they're being flooded with testosterone. which means when men say we're emotional and hysterical on our period, it's actually because we're acting like a man.

[Big Mama, your ARM! @AshleyShyMiller]

I’m sorry, but I would’ve panicked and then laughed. Pets are so unintentionally funny 😂

[2000s @PopCulture2000s]

a year since Montoya crashed out on tv….CINEMA

[Dr. Neighborhood Publicist @nhoodpublicist]

Lmaoo I did not expect her to go this hard

[Emmanuel Acho @EmmanuelAcho]

I’m sharing this because #55 is trash for this and deserves public shame. The end.

[Ruby Naldrett @rubynaldrett]

i fear this may be an unpopular opinion but i think ciaran deserves better #loveisland

[Rob DenBleyker @RobDenBleyker]

this is happening, currently. at this moment Israel is bombing the very small area of Gaza they ordered everyone to evacuate to.

[life-coach|Speaker| Yvette Ratshikhopha📚🌍 @Yvette_Aloe]

Just a reminder that your soul mate is someone who wants to be with you just as much as you want to be with them. Not this thing where you must decode a persons feelings & interest in you. Your soul mate will choose you.

[Jensen McRae @Jensen_McRae]

breakups feel like they might actually kill you in the moment but then you heal and you’re just like omg I was being so unserious it was never that deep

[¡marii! @Mari1k18]

I’m so sorry Beyoncé that you worked so hard for 26 years to be one of the greatest entertainers, running in heels singing to perfect your vocal abilities & stamina to become one of the greatest vocalist ever all to still be compared to current mediocre pop girls

[B… @branmattic]

This shit got me cryin son 😭

[Luyanda - Lya @LyaDiamondD]

@betcheswildin Every day they just keep on being righter and righter

[Kris Jenner @KrisJenner]

I just sharted myself. That's when u fart and u shit yourself on accident!

[Corn ✧⍣ @cornski]

my iPhone 6S after they announce the iPhone 15 tomorrow