Nothing says summer like a fresh batch of singles entering the Love Island villa — and this summer is no different.
The hit dating show returned to screens in June, and with it came a group of hopefuls from across the UK ready to give romance a chance, or bag a gold ticket to an influencing career, as some viewers see it. Even in its tenth year on telly, there's something about the reality programme that keeps me coming back for more.
Love or hate it, there is a spirit of camaraderie that Love Island breeds. Whether you're stuck in an awkward conversation or catching up with an old mate, the ITV show will always be a great ice breaker.
However, for all its merits and iconic moments, it's about time the show made some changes to Casa Amor.
Undoubtedly the most anticipated segment of the entire series, Casa usually kicks off when at least a few contestants have formed strong couples. The experience snaps them out of blissful paradise and throws them into temptation, just like they'll face in the real world.
The boys and girls are separated and introduced to a group of newcomers whose fates in the villa depends on building connections.
After a few days, the OG cast decide whether to stick with their original partners or move onto someone new, and their choices are revealed in a tense recoupling session. Anyone who is left single is immediately sent home. It's reality TV gold.
But this recoupling always leaves me frustrated. Not because it's predictable - far from it - but it could be juicier.
If it were up to me, take notes ITV Gods, every Casa Amor bombshell who appears to have a real connection with another Islander would be immune from the mass dumping, regardless of their partner's recoupling decision.
Now, I know the Majorca villa can only fit so many contestants, so how do we choose who stays? The public votes.
So, anyone who simply doesn't find their type on paper would be sent home — condolences. But castmates like this year's Rheo Parnell, who hit it off with Harry Cooksley, would gain a new lease of life.
Despite their obvious connection in Casa, Harry decided to stick with Helena Ford, meaning Rheo was dumped. Although she warned Helena about her man's 'lads holiday' behaviour before leaving, Rheo's words will no doubt be drowned out by Harry's watered-down version of events.
While Movie Night offers the contestants a peak into what their partners have been up to in Casa and beyond, allowing the bombshells to stay in the villa is a better recipe for drama.
Take Dejon Noel-Williams for example. The personal trainer coupled up with Meg Moore on day one and has stuck with her for weeks. But he has also been stringing new bombshells along with flirty promises that he will get to know them, only to recouple with Meg and pretend he was never interested in the newcomers.
It seems Dejon had planned to keep his innocent until proven guilty streak going, until his Casa fling Andrada Pop was brought into the main villa by another Islander.
And she blew his attempts to downplay their connection out of the water. So much so that Meg was hesitant to become exclusive with Dejon, despite practically begging him for that 'locked off' title.
Instead of sending the bombshells on their way, and in turn saving the sneaky contestants from being exposed, the end of Casa should strike fear in the disloyal few.
After ten years on our TVs, Love Island is still captivating. But it is losing its ability to really shock viewers - and what's more shocking than 'cheaters' getting unmasked and having nowhere to run?
Love Island returns to ITV2 and ITVX tomorrow at 9pm.
