Since 2015, Love Island has occupied our summers as we follow groups of young singles in their attempts to find love. We look into what life really looks like in the villa alongside rules the islanders follow during their time on the show.
Love Island Rules
Isolation
Before entering the villa, islanders are required to spend time in isolation away from their family and friends. This period is generally around 14 days depending on the date they are scheduled to enter the villa.
During this time, islanders are chaperoned by a member of ITV to ensure they avoid encountering any fellow islanders.
Phones
Phones are part of the prohibited items list within the villa and are therefore confiscated before the isolation period begins. This rule ensures islanders are unaware of the wider world to be fully immersed in the villa experience.
Limited Alcohol
During the evening, islanders will be given a monitored amount of alcohol to enjoy which is reportedly 1-2 glasses a night. The rule is enforced in order to protect the well-being of contestants and control the safety of the environment.
No Smoking or Vaping
Series 1-3 featured a communal 'smoking area' which became a hub for gossip and drama amongst the islanders. After numerous complaints from the public in 2018, smoking no longer featured as part of the reality show. Islanders are given daily limits and must leave the villa one by one to smoke or vape.
Microphones
When watching the show, you may have noticed the islanders will always carry a microphone around their neck and sleep with it next to them! Islanders are required to wear microphones to ensure producers can hear every conversation - providing little to no privacy.
Villa Life
Time
The villa is stripped of any clocks or watches to remove any sense of timing for the islanders to allow them to disconnect to the outside world. Past contestants have reportedly used the sun to navigate timings to differentiate between day or night.
Days off
Islanders have one day away from filming formally known as a 'rest day' which regularly would be the Saturday.
During this time, islanders are allowed to get beauty treatments and recover from the intense environment. Boys and girls are separated to ensure any meaningful conversations can be caught on camera.
Meal Times
Breakfast is the only meal that islanders are required to prepare themselves as lunch and dinner is catered by the production team with the cameras turned off. It can be seen on the reality show that islanders may cook each other breakfast as a romantic gesture and famously snack on cheese toasties at the end of the night.
Outside World
The world outside of the villa is completely off limits as islanders remain in their own bubble. When bombshells enter, they are required to not share information such as public opinion, news or social media followings to ensure contestants stay immersed in the world of Love Island.
Voice of God
The Voice of God (VOG for short) is how producers communicate with the islanders. Using a tannoy system, the production team will enforce rules, instigate the narrative and stir-up the drama.
Love Island Phones
'I've got a text' is the famous catch phrase used by islanders. The phones are restricted devices with no internet or social media and display the incorrect time. Islanders are able to to take pictures, message internally and receive text messages from the producers about upcoming villa events or challenges.
Find out more about Love Island.
