ExCLUSIVE: Alex Bowen, who first appeared on Love Island in 2016, has been closely following the most recent ITV dating show season. He has some ideas.
It’s been nearly a decade since Alex Bowen set foot in the iconic Love Island villa—but the 33-year-old reality star is still as invested in the hit ITV dating show as ever.
Alex, who rose to fame on Love Island’s second series back in 2016, has been watching the current series closely—and he’s got thoughts. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Online, the former Islander shared his nostalgia, behind-the-scenes memories, and what the show needs to do to keep viewers hooked.
Alex admits, “It’s crazy to think that almost ten years have passed since I was in the villa.” “Watching the show makes me feel nostalgic.” Although there have been many changes over the years, the core feeling, which includes the drama, the relationships, and the excitement, is still present.
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Now happily married to fellow Love Island alum Olivia Bowen, with whom he shares a son, Alex’s life has moved well beyond the villa. But as someone who found genuine love on the show, he’s passionate about what the format still gets right—and what it could do better.
Since their time on Love Island, Alex and Olivia’s relationship has blossomed into one of Love Island’s biggest success stories. The couple married in 2018 and are now expecting their second child together. They already share a son called Abel, who was born in 2022.
“It’s a really exciting series,” says the host! he describes the 2025 edition. Love Island has already peppered the market with numerous entertaining twists and turns, and they have already dropped a few bombshells. It’s a fresh take, which is fantastic to see.
The producers’ plan to start filming mealtimes, which has traditionally not been a feature for viewers, is one change Alex likes.
He recalls that when I was there, we used to prepare our own breakfast. In case the cameras missed something good, we were given the option to bring in dinner and lunch, and we were forbidden from discussing villa drama while eating. Fans could undoubtedly gain more insight into the personalities of the Islanders by displaying that now.
Alex has some amusing off-camera memories of living in a villa, including the difficult laundry task.
He laughs, “We had laundry baskets for each person, but I used to always lose my stuff.” We would end up dressing up as a duo without realizing it!
Alex believes that Love Island’s success comes down to sticking to what it does best despite the series’ evolution.
He advises against fixing something if it isn’t broken. “Love Island is adored for its excitement, drama, and of course, romance. The key is allowing islanders to spend more time inside the villa. Sometimes they are dumped too soon, and we are unable to see their journey or connect with them.
He also supports the idea of bringing back former Islanders, particularly those who didn’t get their full moment.
“There are a lot of outstanding characters from earlier seasons who didn’t have enough time.” It would be wonderful to see them return. They would now be more mature, and the villa would be in better shape as a result.
Source: Mirror
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