GOING GLOBAL 

Love Island set for huge international shake-up for new series after success of ‘big gamble’

LOVE Island is set for a huge international shake-up after the success of what was deemed a “big gamble”.

The show plans to invite in more beauties from abroad, as it’s proved to be a big hit with viewers.

©ITV
Love Island is introducing a major shake-up for its next seriesCredit: ITV
 

'Love Island' TV Show, Series 12, Episode 29, Mallorca, Spain - 11 Jul 2025
It comes after the success of international contestant Toni Laites winning the last series of the showCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
A source told The Sun that Toni Laites went down particularly well with viewers, coming in as an “outsider” and going on to win her series.

At the time, bringing Toni onto the show was seen as a gamble as producers weren’t sure if British viewers would connect with a US contestant as much as others in the villa.

As a result, the show’s team are casting their net across the US and also places like Australia and Canada to find some stunners who will bring some international flavour.

Toni won Love Island in 2025 alongside her villa beau Cach Mercer.

In a dramatic climax after two months on-screen, host Maya Jama told the stunned couple they’d be taking home £50,000.

After weeks of coupling up, dumpings, texts and triangles, the series came to a close with a Toni and Cach taking home the most votes from fans while up against Shakira Khan and Harry Cooksley, Angel Swift and Ty Isherwood and Yasmin Pettet and Jamie Rhodes.

Thrilled fans praised the result on social media, with one saying: “I actually feel like I’ve won the World Cup. This is actually everything to me!

“Seeing Megan and Dejon dumped, Angel fourth place, Yas, Shakira and Toni top 3, Toni and Cach win. Suddenly life is feeling real again.”

Someone else added: “Toni got the last laugh. A win and a nice man to take home. Bet Harrison is gutted. Karma is a b***h.”

'Love Island All Stars' TV Show, Series 3, Episode 25, South Africa - 08 Feb 2026
Love Island plans to introduce more international beauties, like the ones from villa USA on All StarsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
 

Celebrities At The "Wuthering Heights" UK Premiere In London
Toni won the show with her ex Cach MercerCredit: Splash
Another added: “Toni being American and winning, iconic!!! And thank you Cach for being so amazing and loving. Well deserved.”

Toni and Cach’s relationship wasn’t all smooth sailing before they split for good last month.

At one point in the villa, Toni split from Cach to rekindle with her old flame Harrison Solomon – not knowing he had been intimate with Casa Amor’s Lauren Wood.

After just one day, he U-turned yet again – and ended up leaving the villa when Lauren was voted out.

Despite Cach breaking down in tears over the embarrassment of his public split from Toni, he forgave her.

They started up their relationship once again and on their final night in the villa said “I love you”.

The former flames cut their final ties this month by unfollowing each other on social media.

It came shortly after Toni sparked fan’s hopes that their relationship was back on.

She shared a snap from a shopping trip and one item in her haul sent fans spiralling.

Fresh from a solo getaway to Portugal, Toni proudly flashed a T-shirt emblazoned with the words: “I LOVE BRITISH BOYS.”

But a source told The Sun is well and truly over, saying: “It’s definitely over with Toni and Cach and they’ve called it quits.

“It’s a really sad situation but after being on the rocks for a while, the Brits ended up being the final straw and they couldn’t make it work.

“They kept talking and tried to make things work but have now called it a day.”

NINTCHDBPICT001049538393
Toni and Cach called time on their romance last monthCredit: TikTok