Married Ed Balls puts himself forward for ‘middle-aged’ Love Island before trying to pull Ulrika Jonsson for a chat-Cydney Yeates-Entertainment – Metro

Ed Balls has thrown his name in the ring to appear on the upcoming ‘middle-aged’ Love Island – despite being married.

ITV announced last week that a new series, titled The Romance Retreat, is in the works for people over 40 looking for romance and will see a group of singletons thrown into a luxury villa.

Speaking on Monday’s episode of Good Morning Britain, Balls staked his interest in signing up for the show even though he’s married to his wife of 25 years, Yvette Cooper.

He also seized the opportunity to have a little flirt with Ulrika Jonsson, who appeared as a guest on the programme to discuss the show.

‘I don’t want to be a presenter, I want to be a contestant,’ Balls declared after Jonsson explained that she doesn’t want to see a ‘smug’ married person present The Romance Retreat.

Ed Balls wants a spot in the ‘middle-aged’ Love Island villa (Picture: Rex)

Balls has been married to Yvette Cooper for 25 years (Picture: Getty)

‘Oh God, what’s your wife going to say about that?’ Jonsson probed Balls.

‘Well, don’t you think that married people should be allowed to be contestants?’ he asked back.

‘No!’ Jonsson responded, adding: ‘The whole process of the show has gone over your head.’

At this point, a shocked Susanna Reid got involved. ‘That’s Affair Island!’ she remarked. ‘That’s a whole different thing!’

‘It would get the viewers in, I tell you!’ Balls added.

Before the segment wrapped up, Balls attempted to crack on with Jonsson.

‘If you like Ulrika, maybe after the show we can go over there for a conversation?’ he suggested, much to the studio’s entertainment.

Jonsson laughed at Balls’ proposal and exclaimed: ‘He’s not giving up, is he?’

Balls married Labour MP Cooper in Eastbourne in January 1998. In January 2008, they became the first married couple to serve together in HM Cabinet when Cooper became Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

The couple has three children together.

ITV announced news of The Romance Retreat last week as they put out a casting call for middle-aged contestants.

‘ITV1 are looking for vibrant single parents from across the UK who are in search of love, for a brand new dating show!’ the advertisement read.

More: Trending

‘This is the ONLY dating show where single parents can search for love, by spending time in a luxury retreat, where all the parents have been nominated by their grown up children.’

The official premiere date is yet to be announced, but applications close on Friday, March 31.

Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1.

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.

Entertainment – MetroRead More