More than 13,000 people have reportedly applied to be on the upcoming series of Love Island despite the ongoing threat of coronavirus.

The ITV2 ratings hit normally begins in June but is thought to have been delayed by at least two months due to the spread of the disease, which has now claimed almost 230,000 lives worldwide.

According to The Sun, the show has been hit by a record number of applications and extra staff have been drafted in to sift through the potential contestants, who will be auditioned through conferencing app Zoom in the coming weeks.

"Applications have gone through the roof since lockdown," a source told the newspaper. "Never before have so many people applied in this six-week time span.

"Over 70% of the applications have come from 18 to 28-year-olds and the videos being sent in have been more creative than ever as people have more time on their hands.

"Once candidates have been whittled down to a shortlist, they'll be interviewed face-to-face."

Last summer's series of Love Island was the most successful yet, averaging 5.61 million viewers across its run and peaking with 6.15 million.