Love Island is aiming to welcome a disabled contestant for the first time when it returns to ITV2 later this month.
After amputee Milly Pickles revealed she was asked to go on the show just a few days ago, it’s been reported that bosses are ‘actively approaching for someone with a visible disability’.
It comes after speculation that the new line-up will feature Love Island’s most diverse cast yet with contestants of ‘all shapes and sizes’.
‘It’s all part of the show trying to be as diverse as possible,’ an insider said.
The source added to The Sun: ‘The final line-up hasn’t been sorted yet but it would be ideal if they had at least one disabled islander.’
Last week, Milly told her followers on TikTok that she had been approached.
‘Just thinking – I was asked to go on Love Island this year and I said no but, would I have been the first disabled Love Islander?’ she asked in a video.
‘And does this mean that they’re being more inclusive? Because if so, fabulous. I cannot wait to watch.’
Clarifying her point, Milly added: ‘They contacted me and I had calls with various people but I pulled out because I realised, “Why am I doing this? It doesn’t align with who I am.”
‘That’s not the point I’m making though. I’m saying that, because they got in contact with me and I’m disabled, does that mean that they’re going to bring other disabled people in? Because hopefully.’
In April, it was also reported that producers had begun accepting applications from LGBT contestants.
However, bosses have since said that gay islanders would present ‘logistical difficulties’.
Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV2 for comment.
Love Island returns Monday 28 June on ITV2.
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