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'Love Island' boss says his phone has been ringing 'off the hook' with ex contestants since Adam Collard's return

Adam Collard's Love Island return has shocked viewers. (ITV)
Adam Collard's Love Island return has prompted other ex stars to ask for a comeback. (ITV)

Love Island's boss has said he is fielding endless calls from former stars desperate to return to the ITV2 dating show since Adam Collard made his comeback.

For the first time ever, the programme brought back a previous contestant when series four Islander Collard, notorious for his stirring amongst the other stars, arrived in the villa as a bombshell contestant earlier this week.

Read more: Love Island's Jacques O'Neill calls going on the show 'the worst decision of my life'

Now, executive producer Mike Spencer has told Deadline it has prompted many other former stars to call him "off the hook" asking for the same second chance.

He said: "I’ll tell you, my phone has been off the hook with former contestants since Adam’s return. We really wanted to focus on Adam and so far he has done a great job."

Adam Collard is the first bombshell to return to a different series. (ITV)
Adam Collard is the first bombshell to return to a different series. (ITV)

He refused to be drawn on any names of ex-Islanders who'd called him, but said that the aim this series had been "if not (to) rip up the rule book, then certainly adjust it".

Collard has proved a controversial figure so far - his arrival was preceded by a statement from Women's Aid urging the show's bosses to intervene if he showed any "gaslighting" or "emotionally abusive" behaviour of the sort he was accused of in his first appearance in 2018.

Read more: Love Island 2021 winners Millie Court and Liam Reardon have split

He also prompted Jacques O'Neill to quit the show after a row about him intervening in the couples already established.

Jacques O'Neill has left Love Island. (ITV)
Jacques O'Neill has left Love Island. (ITV)

Revealing that he "still speaks to Islanders from every season", Spencer said that he respected O'Neill's decision to leave and that the show's staff were carefully following duty of care procedures.

Asked about claims that the series featured examples of toxic masculinity, he defended it by saying: “I think it’s incredibly subjective. Everyone has different interpretations of behavioural traits. I think the programme showcases normal relationships. There are also very empowered women on the show.”

He added: “I would be cautious about using a phrase like toxic masculinity. We showcase real relationships and real people, which is why the show is relatable. There are ups and downs in every relationship. We care for our Islanders and make sure they are protected. I wouldn’t want to bandy about a term like toxic masculinity which is so serious when globally there are people going through very extreme things in their relationships.”

Watch: Love Island's Adam and Paige couple up after Jacques' exit