'I work on Love Island and here's five things you need to be perfect Islander'

As Love Island is set to return for its twelfth series next month, staff members who work behind-the-scenes have opened up on what they look for in the singleton hoping to find love

Love Island is set to sizzle back onto our screens next month for its twelfth series.

The ITV2 dating sensation is celebrating a decade since its 2015 debut and has become the undisputed champion of television shows among 16-34 year olds, spawning over 24 international versions.

Lewis Evans, executive producer and Love Island stalwart since its first series, has lifted the lid on the secrets behind the show's phenomenal success at a Royal Television Society event, Anatomy Of A Hit: Love Island.

Lewis revealed: "There's lots of imitations that come up all the time to Love Island.

"It is extraordinary and it takes so much to pull off an authentic layered reality show as glossy as Love Island in a fast turnaround environment.", reports OK!.

"One of the main things about our show is the cast. We spend a huge amount of time casting.

"We spend months finding the right people who are going to be in our opening line-up and also alongside that creating format points that generate authentic stories within the villa.

"It's a current snapshot of how young people are interacting and dating and it feels relevant."

Every year, around 80,000 hopefuls apply to find love in the villa, with approximately 300 potential islanders invited for face-to-face auditions for this summer's series but what makes the perfect Love Island contestant in the eyes of the show's bosses?

Casting Assistant Producer Lois Perry has dished out the secret sauce for potential stars: "A great personality is definitely key, definitely got to be able to hold a conversation, have some good stories and also have a laugh with us.

"We know what we're looking for and I think being funny definitely helps."

Sam Carr, the Casting Producer, then spilled the beans on his top picks from the talent he's scouted over the years: "A favourite always has to be Jess and Eve Gale.

"They were my first series, series six, so those twins will always have a special place as the first cast. Um, more recently Whitney [Adebayo] was a favourite of mine that I cast.

"And from the latest series, Josh Oyinsan who came in fairly late and went on win the show."

Love Island is expected to return to ITV2 and ITVX in June