UK TV show Love Island' filmed in SA amid kidnapping fears

UK TV show Love Island' filmed in SA amid kidnapping fearsFilming of the latest winter Love Island' series is underway amidst crime fears. But, it's the new location that is raising eyebrows.

by Mariette van Niekerk

11-01-2023 10:54

in Entertainment

The location of the new UK Love Island' villa is raising eyebrows. It's opposite a prison. Image: @loveisland | Instagram.

Production on the 2023 hit UK TV show Love Island' is underway. But, fans of the show will, according to sources, not be able to indulge in the usual gorgeous Cape Town sights.

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The latest version of the show is set in an isolated Franschhoek villa rather than beautiful Constantia, Business Insider reports.

The series offers a group of UK singles the opportunity to find love.

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ALSO READ: Summer of love: Love Island' returns to South Africa in 2023 [photos]

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LOVE ISLAND LOCATION MOVED DUE TO CRIME FEARS The Love Island winter series first hit South African shores in January 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The villa was situated in the leafy suburbs of Constantia, Cape Town. Paige Turley and Finn Tap won the series.

Unfortunately, South Africa's high crime rate and the security measures taken to protect contestants during filming were inevitably shown. And for the second series, fans will not get to indulge in any picturesque views of Cape Town.

Filming on the latest show has started, but the location has changed. The 2023 show is reportedly being filmed in Franschhoek as Cape Town itself is deemed too dangerous due to its proximity to the Cape Flats, Business Insider reports.

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Yet, UK tabloids say that producers fear cast or crew could possibly be kidnapped by gangs who target wealthy visitors. Security has been beefed up and according to reports, security guards are stationed inside the perimeter. There is even a hotline established to both armed response and the local police, so that the heavy cavalry would be on their way in seconds if necessary.

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A VIEW OF A DIFFERENT KIND Business Insider reports that the show is being filmed on the luxurious Ludus Magnus Estate. The estate cost more than R450,000 per day for exclusive use by wedding parties in peak season. According to the estate, it is 100% off-grid, complete with solar panels, boreholes and local treatment of sewage water.

New reports surfacing claims that the new Love Island villa overlooks the prison where Nelson Mandela served a jail term.

The Mirror speculates that it might even put somewhat of a damper on the swanky villa.

Mandela was held at Drakenstein Prison formerly known as Victor Verster Prison for the last 14 months of his sentence. He was jailed for opposing South Africa's apartheid system, thenews.com reports.

The prison is located on the outskirts of Cape Town and houses murderers, including serial killers.

ALSO READ: UK Love Island' villa in South Africa goes on sale for a cool R105m

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LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/entertainment/uk-tv-love-islan...
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