BBC launching Love Island rival dating show

The BBC is reportedly planning a new dating show to replace \'Love Island\'.

The ITV2 favourite won\'t be returning this year due to travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the Beeb could be filling the gap with \'Squad Dates\'.

The upcoming BBC Three show will see groups of friends meeting up for mass dates with other gangs of pals to see whether they can find love.

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As reported by The Sun newspaper\'s Bizarre TV column, producers are looking to film in the UK over the coming weeks to air later in the year.

A source said: "While staying in a sun-drenched villa might be out of the question, \'Squad Dates\' will be here in the UK for all those desperate 18 to 24-year-olds.

"The idea is that dating in a group takes the pressure off one-on-one dates and instead you\'ve got your gal gang or your best group of lads by your side for some banter, flirting and finding The One.

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"But as we\'ve seen in the \'Love Island\' villa, dating en masse isn\'t always what it\'s cracked up to be."

Last month, ITV confirmed both the summer and winter editions of \'Love Island\' had been scrapped, but the channel promised the show - hosted by Laura Whitmore - would be "bigger and better than ever" next year.

The broadcaster previously said: "\'Love Island UK\' will return bigger and better than ever with an extended run in summer 2021."

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The decision to scrap the summer and winter editions of \'Love Island\' has come amid ongoing uncertainty relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pre-production on the winter 2021 series was due to take place in the coming weeks, but due to social distancing measures, the series proved to be impossible to stage.