Love Island hopefuls take BMI test as part of the application process

Love Island hopefuls have to take BMI and drugs tests as part of the application process.

ITV Chief Executive Carolyn McCall said the show ensures all contestants are ‘fit and healthy’.

Contestants are also tested for steroids with McCall saying the show has ‘no tolerance’ for drugs.

Appearing before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Committee on Tuesday, McCall was asked about the ‘diversity’ of its line-up.

‘On Love Island, the people tend to be young and healthy,’ she explained.

‘We do do a BMI test, and if you look at the series now they’re not all the same shape. They are different. There are variations of shape. They are all fit, healthy, young and it’s a dating show.

‘There’s a rigorous casting process. We get about 98,000 applications, they take that down to 90 or 100. They then go through medical assessments which goes down to 30 to 40.

‘It’s a rigourous process of screening. It’s four years old now.

They all go through testing, they’re tested for drugs, steroids, we have no tolerance for any type of drug.

‘We make it clear in our process that the team continuously look for people who would be right for love island. They go to festivals, agencies, a whole range of places. But they would still go through the screening process.’

What is BMI?

Your BMI is your body mass index, a measurement that uses your height and weight to determine if your weight is healthy.

According to the NHS, an ideal BMI for most adults is from 18.5 to 24.9.

She also shut down the suggestion that contestants from a BAME background are shown on screen less than white contestants.

Using this year’s stars Yewande Biala, Danny Williams, Michael Griffiths and Amber Gill as examples, she told the committee:

‘I don’t see the evidence for that and if there was we would take that very seriously.

‘Yewande and Danny had an enormous amount of air time as a result of what was going on with them. Michael and Amber are one of the most popular couples.’

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.

Got a showbiz story?

If you’ve got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Source: Read Full Article