Love Island is now in its ninth series, and making some of its stars overnight sensations.
But with so much on offer after leaving the villa, some have accused the contestants of only applying to the ITV2 show for fame, rather than finding love.
Love Island: Aftersun panellist and podcast host Sam Thompson defended the programme, telling Digital Spy exclusively: "The beauty of Love Island, and you can't say this for any other show, is because it's evolved into another beast and it really didn't need to do anything to become that.
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"Last year, Pretty Little Thing did a tweet asking 'who deserves 'The PLT Deal?'. That's hilarious because that's almost the prize now. It's not a 'non-said' thing. It's so cool, the fact that so much is on the line now, and there's so much you can get from it.
"I don't care if people are joining for this reason or that reason, just entertain me. As a viewer, that's what we're getting now.
"As long as you bring entertainment, I'm okay with that. And I think it's now morphed into a greater beast, it's a show that can change your life. It's growing and growing and I've never seen another show like it."
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Sam, who also hosts a show on Hits Radio, continued: "It's so real. They showed on Aftersun one of the producers sending Samie in, one of the bombshells, they filmed her do her walk with four different takes.
"You know when some people go: 'Oh it's like there aren't even any cameras there'. No, there are cameras and I love they've embraced it. Do the walk five times! The fourth wall is completely being dropped and that shows you how real it is. I don't think the wool is being pulled over anyone's eyes."
Love Island airs nightly on ITV2, and is available via catch-up on ITVX and BritBox.
Catch Sam Thompson (@SamThompsonUK) on Hits Radio from Monday - Thursday at 7pm.
