Entertainment
How to fill the Love Island void: 7 shows to watch if you’re missing Ekin-Su already-Charlotte Manning-Entertainment – Metro
We’ve got you covered.
Here are a few more shows to keep you occupied (Picture: ITV; BBC; NBC; Netflix; Channel 4)
Love Island may have come to an end until 2023, but here’s a selection of similarly addictive programmes to get stuck into in the meantime.
Fans came together in the masses to vote Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti as the winners of Love Island 2022, ahead of Gemma Owen and Luca Bish.
The pair won over 60% of the popular vote, in the finale episode which received its highest ratings since 2019.
Now, as the islanders touch down in the UK, there’s plenty for them to catch up on.
But we’re already missing our fix of Ekin-Su crawling on the floor, as well as Davide’s cooking and Gemma Owen’s sharp quips.
So Metro.co.uk has devised a list of shows which should last year until the ITV2 dating show returns in the winter…
Love Island USA
There’s more Love Island going on stateside! (Picture: Peacock)
If you’re wanting to live the madness of the Love Island bubble all over again, the USA spin-off is the perfect solution.
Hosted by Modern Family favourite Sarah Hyland, it premiered on July 19 and is airing six nights a week, similar to the UK version.
Avid viewers will also be pleased to know that Iain Stirling provides his signature Scottish wit for the series across the pond, to give it an extra dose of charm.
The series is currently airing on streaming service Peacock, which can be accessed at no extra cost to Sky and Now users. Luckily, there’s still a whole month of action to follow, as the final doesn’t air until September 4.
Love In The Flesh
Zara hosted the BBC Three dating show (Picture: BBC/Ten66)
Hosted by Love Island 2018 contestant Zara McDermott, Love In The Flesh is BBC Three’s answer to its hit rival dating show.
It follows five couples who have been messaging back and forth online, but finally, see each other face-to-face in a luxurious Greek beach house, but how will they interact without the usual distractions?
While it aired earlier this year on the BBC, it is still available on iPlayer to binge watch until your heart’s content.
Opening up to Metro.co.uk earlier this year, Zara shared her excitement over the gig.
She said: ‘Love In The Flesh exceeded expectations in every single way. It celebrated people from all ethnicities and backgrounds. We had a same-sex couple, bisexual contributors, and it works so seamlessly.’
The Circle UK
Emma Willis hosted The Circle on Channel 4, and we miss it so much (Picture: Channel 4)
Yes, it may have been axed by Channel 4, but The Circle UK has given us some of the most iconic reality TV moments which have gone largely under the radar.
It’s hosted by presenting royalty, Emma Willis, where players can only communicate and compete against each other through a specially-designed, voice-activated social media platform called The Circle.
The contestants then routinely vote for the most popular players, who then become influencers, and have the power to choose who is ‘blocked’ and eliminated from The Circle.
The third series was filmed during lockdown, and also allows those taking part to catfish and lie about parts of their identity, which led to some incredibly reveals in the finale.
The best thing is that all three series are still available to watch on All 4, as well as the celebrity series for Stand Up 2 Cancer (season two even has a cameo from Richard Madeley, for some reason).
First Dates
Fred loves to help the singletons find love (Picture: Channel 4)
The Channel 4 programme, fronted by barman Merlin Griffiths and host Fred Sirieux, pairs up singletons on blind dates, in the hopes of finding true love.
The show claims to use a scientific method in order to match hopefuls with potential partners who could be the one.
While not every date works out, some dates have proven to be very successful, with some couples even going on to tie the knot, and definitely succeeds in makes us feel all warm and cosy inside.
It’s currently airing every Thursday at 9pm on Channel 4, but the many previous episodes can also be caught up with on All 4.
Selling Sunset
Chrishell Stause and Jason Oppenheim went public with their relationship in 2021, before ending things months later (Picture: Netflix)
While Selling Sunset definitely isn’t a dating show, it’s got that perfect dose of drama that our new favourite girlies, such as Ekin-Su, brought to Love Island so well.
It follows the world of the real estate agents working at The Oppenheim Group in LA, owned by Jason and Brett Oppenheim, giving fans insight into the opulence, bitchiness and competitiveness that the industry thrives on.
Famous castmates and employees Mary Fitzgerald, Chrishell Stause, Christine Quinn, Davina Potratz and Emma Hernan, as well as Jason and Brett have risen to fame following the popularity of the series.
There are five mega seasons on Netflix to delve into, with a sixth and seventh already confirmed to come in the near future.
How To Build a Sex Room
Melanie Rose knows what she’s doing! (Picture: Netflix)
How to Build a Sex Room sees Luxury British interior designer Melanie Rose help people across America transform their ordinary homes into spaces with a little more spice.
Lovers and singletons in the lose their minds when they’re finally granted a raunchy makeover.
The stylish spaces let couples live out their wildest fantasies, whether they include whips, poles, or everything else in between.
In each episode, Melanie interviews the contestants looking to spice up their boudoir into a luxury adult toy-room, and after interviewing them and finding out their turn-ons and turn-offs, she designs the sexy space and reveals it to the couple…
Lovestruck High
Lovestruck High sees singletons go back to school for a very different educational experience (Picture: Amazon Prime)
Similar to other dating shows Lovestruck High follows a group of young singletons looking for love (and the prize money, obvs) but with a twist.
It sees a group of 17 singletons sent back to school in a bid to live out their US high-school fantasies. They’ll get the chance to date their classmates in the LGBTQIA+ inclusive series, while trying to avoid detention, get ready for prom and practise their cheerleading moves.
More: Trending
Everything leads up to Prom night, which decides who wins a share of the $100,000 (£80,000) prize, with a king and queen picked to split the money.
Oh, and it’s also narrated by actual Lindsay Lohan, which is worth tuning in for alone. All episodes of Lovestruck High are available on Amazon Prime now.
Love Island can be streamed in full on the ITV Hub now.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Big Brother winner Pete Bennett teases hosting reboot with Glyn Wise as ‘the new Ant and Dec’
Love Island 2022
Say hello to your social lives once again – Love Island 2022 is over, with Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti being crowned the winners in an epic final.
If you missed it, don’t fret – here are the highlights of the end of a brilliant series:
Davide Sanclimenti and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu are crowned winners
The Love Island final episode – as it happened
Michael Owen shares ‘pride’ in daughter Gemma as she comes runner-up with Luca Bish
Which Love Island couples are still together?
Who won the last Love Island? Full list of past winners
Has anyone ever kept the £50,000 prize on Love Island?
For all the latest updates, visit Metro.co.uk‘s Love Island page.
Entertainment – MetroRead More