Curtis Pritchard returns to Love Island: All Stars for his FOURTH appearance on the ITV2 show a year after Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu romance

Curtis Pritchard is gearing up for a sensational comeback on Love Island: All Stars, a year after his romance with Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.

The professional dancer, 29, who first appeared on the ITV2 series in 2019 romancing Amy Hart before dating Maura Higgins, is in South Africa, ready to enter the villa as a bombshell after the initial lineup was confirmed last week.

He ended his time on Love Island: All Stars last year in a relationship with Ekin, and the couple remained together until May 2025 when they announced their breakup.

This will mark Curtis's fourth time on Love Island, having previously featured on All Stars last year and competing on the spinoff The Games in 2023, where he lasted just six days.

Currently, Curtis, who was spotted sunning himself wearing a pair of colourful swim shorts, is being looked after by a chaperone as he waits for his grand return, which has been delayed due to wildfires near the villa in Cape Town. 

Filming was originally set to start on Saturday ahead of Monday night's launch, but ITV bosses are now assessing the situation 'day by day,' hoping to begin later this week.

A source told the Daily Mail: 'Curtis is coming back for All Stars and is currently waiting in the wings as a bombshell. 

'He's already in South Africa, having flown out undetected ahead of the show's launch, which has since been delayed. 

'While the lineup has been announced, producers were keeping Curtis's entrance under wraps, knowing that his return to the franchise for the fourth time will certainly create a reaction among viewers. 

'But eagle-eyed fans may have spotted a small clue at the Love Island launch; a napkin referencing Curtis's famous line from the show, 'a coffee so everyone is ready for the morning.''

The show's launch was scheduled for Monday evening but has been delayed after filming couldn't start over the weekend due to dangerous wildfires. 

The delay is reportedly costing ITV over £15,000 an hour because of commitments to crew, staff, camera operators, and psychologists, all of whom are on the ground in South Africa awaiting their duties.

Maya Jama, the show's host, is also in Cape Town, having flown out last week ahead of the program's start. 

The 12 confirmed Islanders, including Millie Court and Tommy Bradley, are staying in high-end accommodations, along with a number of 'bombshells' who are yet to be announced.

The Daily Mail has contacted an ITV2 spokesperson for comment. 

Bosses have revealed that this series will lean into the theme of 'unfinished business,' so with Curtis now confirmed for the villa, fans will be wondering whether Ekin-Su will follow. 

She has vowed not to appear in any more reality TV shows after her stints on Dancing On Ice, All Stars, the Netflix series Inside, and The Traitors US.

However, everything could change now that she may have the chance to confront Curtis over their 2025 split. 

Curtis will now take on the role of the new Casey O'Gorman, who appeared on the show four times before winning last year's All Stars alongside Gabby Allen.

One ex who certainly won't be following him into the villa is Maura, who raised her profile on Sunday night by attending the Golden Globe Awards.

Rubbing shoulders with Hollywood A-listers at the ceremony due to her current appearance on The Traitors US, Maura has managed to distance herself from her first villa stint back in 2019.