For a programme that considers itself pretty ‘cutting edge’ when it comes to reality TV, Love Island has lacked a lot of diversity in terms of their cast.

There has never been an LGBT romance, even when bi contestants Sophie Gradon and Katie Salon paired up on the programme, they were told to romance a man to be in with a chance of winning the cash prize of £50,000.

Pink News has reported that a source close to the series said that LGBT singletons will be cast in the 2018 series.

“Love Island was undoubtedly the biggest reality show this year, it had everyone talking. Even people who weren’t watching the show still heard about it,” said a source to The Daily Star.

“The main thing they came under fire for was sex on TV, which people have now started to accept, so come next series people won’t really care about that. ITV want to increase the shock factor of the show and keep people talking, by having LGBT people included,” they added.

We previously reported that ITV2 stated they were considering a spin-off LGBT+ version.

“The format doesn’t really allow it. If you’re familiar with the programme, it’s about coupling and recoupling. To complicate it with same-sex relationships is to take something away from the format,” said ITV 2’s Head of Digital Channels, Paul Mortimer.

“I know Richard (the show’s exec producer) said, maybe with tongue-in-cheek, that we might do a gay version one day.”

Mortimer said: “The format doesn’t really allow it. If you’re familiar with the programme, it’s about coupling and recoupling.

“To complicate it with same-sex relationships is to take something away from the format.”

Mortimer, who was speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, also put paid to his colleague, Richard Cowle’s suggestion that there might be a gay Love Island spin-off.

If you think you’ve got what it takes to make the 2018 series, you can apply here.