THE boss at the helm of Love Island All Stars' latest season has revealed the series legend he wishes he'd signed up.
Executive producer for the ITV2 show Mike Spencer exclusively let slip he had his sights set on a 2019 icon - yet was bluntly turned down.
Ovie Soko, 33, promptly went back to his normal job as a basketball after his time on Love Island wrapped.
During his time on screen, the athlete won over legions of fans with his kind nature and handsome looks.
He then hit the big time when he came third with former girlfriend India Reynolds - who is in the current 2025 All Stars cast for the spin-off starting on Monday.
The pair split four months after being rocked by cheating rumours and eventually called it quits due to "conflicting schedules".
Mike has now told The Sun they contacted Ovie - but were given the thumbs down.
When asked: "Was there anyone that you tried to get to do it and wouldn't?" he candidly replied: "Yes. Always. The thing is, we will reach out to everybody. We are open to everyone.
"Ovie. I'd love Ovie to do the show. But Ovie, I don't believe, wants to do the show."
He continued: "There are loads."
After returning to his career as a basketballer, Ovie then dabbled in podcast hosting.
He made the jump into basketball commentary off the court, as the British Basketball League's new lead analyst.
This meant fans could hear his expert words aired on Sky Sports and Sky Sports' YouTube channel, as well as the League's own YouTube channel.
STARS SIGN-UPS
We previously also exclusively revealed boxer Tommy Fury - also an alum of the Love Island 2019 season - was in talks for an epic show comeback on All Stars.
Tommy and co-star Molly-Mae Hague, both 25, split in August after five years together.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, executive producer Mike Spencer confessed the former couple would both be "more than welcome" to return to the show.
Mike said: "I don't know if we did or didn't approach Molly, but we pretty much always approach everyone that's single."
When pushed to confirm whether or not they reached out to Tommy, he continued: "Probably. Yeah.
"We go through everyone and then approach everyone, audition and then pick.
"But if Molly and Tommy would like to come back here, then they're more than welcome."
Molly and Tommy - who share one-year-old daughter Bambi - split amid rumours he cheated on the influencer, something he's strongly denied.
But last week The Sun's revealed exclusive snaps showing them sharing a kiss as they saw in the New Year at a party thrown by Man Utd footballer Luke Shaw.
