ITV Love Island icon drops huge prediction on show future as new series rakes in impressive viewing figures

To keep things fresh this year, Joey Essex was dropped in as a bombshell on day one before stealing Samantha Kenny from Sam Taylor and leaving the latter dumped from the island just 48 hours after entering.

Spicing it up this year, producers introduced a new rule for the Hideaway which will be open 24/7 and is available for non-couples - which has already caused some drama amongst the group.

The show has been running since 2015 and has had to change some aspects of the show every couple of years to keep the audience coming back for more.

Now, Winter has issued a stern warning for anyone who applies in the future as she believes the show will continue to run and run.

Speaking to GB News, when asked if the show would ever retire, she explained: "I think as long as the producers bring in fresh and new ideas, I think it will thrive. I think people love the idea of watching people find love and the drama in the sun.

"However, the only way it will be made to retire is if trolling still carries on, if the negativity still carries on because that is a lot of weight for people to carry.

"Ultimately yes, we do choose to go on the show and yes it is our decision, and people say you must know and understand what you are coming out to - but nobody can prepare you for what you come out to face.

"So I think it is really difficult but I think as long as people can remember to be kind, we should be able to enjoy the show for many more years but if they can't...

"I would hate to see another contestant or somebody to do with the show go down a dark path that would ultimately end up with the show potentially being cancelled.

"But people don't understand that trolls don't realise words hurt and can affect people's day and life."

The 28-year-old also touched on the new Hideaway rule, reflecting on her "uncomfortable" time in the villa.

"I didn't have a positive relationship with the Hideaway, it was something I was really nervous about going into the show.

"I hope it takes that pressure off of me. It makes good TV, you know what you are going into the show for, and you can obviously say no, so as long as that is also respected then absolutely. I wouldn't ever promote having sex on TV because it is there forever in such a public light on you, camera-on-you setting."

Her verdict comes after the first episode of the new season saw 2.2 million people across multiple devices tune in, making it the most-viewed first episode in four years.

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According to Variety, last year's summer series drew in 1.3 million people, which was just above half the audience that had tuned in for the 2022 summer launch show.

Earlier this year, Love Island: All Stars launched instead of the usual Winter series, with ITV later releasing the rating figures of a total 1.3 million.