The real reason why Love Island isn't on Saturdays 😱

Erm, what?!

Author: Alex RossPublished 18th Feb 2024

Since Love Island returned to our TV screens back in 2015, the nation has been hooked every Summer (and now Winter), following the lives of the Islanders at 9pm every evening. However, despite sitting down six nights of the week, Love Island doesn't air on a Saturday night, leaving viewers gutted.

Why is Love Island not on TV on Saturday?

Love Island 2017 winner Kem Cetinay revealed the reason why the show doesn't air on a Saturday.

Speaking on This Morning back in 2019, Kem revealed the Islanders actually get a DAY OFF from filming, where they can leave the villa so the cleaners can go in!

Erm, what?! 😱

Kem said: "They give you one day off. You get one day off per week. What happens is, it gives them a day to clean the villa, and you take your mics off, and normally we go to the beach.

"So what happens is, when you take your mic off, you are not allowed to talk about anything to do with the show, you have to talk about home life.

"You are being watched by the producers, because they don't want you to talk about what is going on. They are quite careful about what you talk about, because they want to keep it so everyone at home can see it."

Check out all of the Love Island rules the Islanders must follow in the villa:

No getting drunk

According to 2017 contestant Kem Cetinay, contestants are allowed one small glass of wine or beer a night with dinner.
Being drunk's an absolute no-no, so sex while intoxicated is obviously against the rules too.

No masturbating

No solo sex acts are allowed in the villa, though obviously allowed to get jiggy with their partner.

No nudity

Contestants cannot be naked in front of other islanders, since the villa is technically a public space.

No books, phones or magazines

The islanders are given snazzy phones from their sponsor, Samsung (what else would they get their texts on?); but anyone sneaking their own mobile phone into the villa would risk being removed.
Same goes for books and magazines, too.

No inappropriate language or behaviour

This could cover homophobic, racist or aggressive language and is quite the broad rule. Inappropriate behaviour is again at producers' discretion, and would include violence and sexual harassment.

No discriminating against staff

Any Islanders who are rude to crew could run the risk of being booted off the show, and contestants must NOT take their mic packs off unless instructed to.

Follow the rule book

Simple. Contestants must obey the rule book they're provided with; which includes information on safe sex, consent and how to know if you're following the guidelines.

Of course, just like us, Love Island fans were left in shock at Kem's admission. One tweeted, 'Kems on #thismorning chatting about #loveisland and they get a day off on Saturday where they can take their mics off and all go to the beach etc and chill 😶😶how did i not know this 😲😲'. (sic)

Another wrote, 'What! The Love Island lot get a day off each week! Saturdays = mics off, head out the villa and all hit the beach together!!! #LoveIsland'. (sic)

A third added, 'I’m pretty sure Kem has just ruined love island #thismorning'. (sic)

Now read:

Everything you need to know about Love Island host Maya Jama

The best celebrity guests to enter the Love Island villa

Full line-up confirmed for Love Island: All Stars

How to listen to Hits Radio:

Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online or ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio'.