Alison Hammond and Linda Robson like the sound of the series (Picture: ITV/Getty Images

It’s been nearly a decade since we’ve seen hot young things from across the country sign up to star on Love Island, but after a new spin-off series called The Romance Retreat aimed at older people looking for love was announced, several celebrities have already expressed their interest.

On Thursday, ITV announced that the series would be dedicated to ‘middle-aged’ single parents would be taking to the small screen.

The original format of the annual reality series features contestants between the age of 18 and their late 20s, with few stars from past series’ being over the age of 30.

With the news that people who are over 40 can start ‘cracking on’, there’s already been lots of people, including famous faces, who are ready to star.

The reboot will adhere to Love Island’s usual structure, however, it’s not been confirmed whether a cash prize will be at stake.

But that hasn’t stopped the enthusiasm over the chance to jet off to a sunny location and spend weeks in a luxurious villa.

It hasn’t been announced if Love Island host Maya Jama will also be fronting The Romance Retreat (Picture: ITV)

While the network hasn’t confirmed who will be fronting the series, former Big Brother presenter Davina McCall recently threw her name in the ring.

‘I’m literally begging ITV to let me present mid-life Love Island. I could fill a villa in Love Island with the best back stories you have ever heard in your life,’ she told Steven Bartlett on his Diary of a CEO podcast.

While those taking part aren’t likely to be famous faces, who are the celebrity’s who have said they would love to take part in the series?

Linda Robson

The Loose Women panellist may have been married for over 30 years, but the day after the new reality series was revealed, she said she would ‘love to go in there’.

Asked what romance means to her now compared to when she was younger Linda, 64, said: ‘There ain’t no romance now.’

As she said, older people were ‘much more interesting’.

‘I would love to go meet older people and go meet people I haven’t met before.’

‘If romance would happen there it would be quite nice,’ she added.

She also said that ‘sitting and having a meal and having a kiss and cuddle’ would be romantic.

Nadia Sawalha jumped in and said: ‘When you are older and been though life and ups and downs and the idea of romance changes and having someone listen to what you’re saying is sexy and romantic.’

‘It’s about somebody enhancing rather than being your whole being.’

Alison Hammond

Alison said she would love to be able to sign up (Picture: ITV)

This Morning star Alison Hammond recently revealed she had a special some-one in her life, but she appears to be keeping her options open after indicating she was also interested in dating on reality TV.

On Friday’s episode, she said: ‘I think I would enter you know, but the only thing is, your child has to nominate you to go into it.’

Alison, 47, has an 18-year-old son Aiden with her ex Noureddine Boufaied.

Alison continued: ‘I’m so happy about this,’ saying: ‘It’s going to be amazing, so much more interesting.’

‘I’m totally eligible,’ she added.

She has kept her relationships private for the most part over the years, after splitting from her fiancée Jamie Savage in 2017 after three years of dating.

However, last week she said she would be willing to get married if her new flame popped the question.

She added: ‘A year-and-a-half I’ve been with him, and no one knew. He absolutely worships me and massages my feet every single day. What more do you want?’

Tarek Ghouri

Tasha wants her dad Tarek to also appear on a reality dating series(Picture: Getty Images/ iStockphoto)

His daughter found love in the Love Island villa with Andrew Le Page, and now Tarek Ghouri is being encouraged to also try his luck.

When news of the show was shared, Tasha, 23, urged her dad to appear on the new spin-off show.

Retweeting an article announcing the news, she wrote: ‘Dad this is your moment to shine… The entertainment joker king x’.

The fact he has his daughter’s support is also helpful, considering that is one of the requirements for single parents to be able to appear.

Gyles Brandreth

Gyles Brandreth has been nominated by his grand-children (Picture: ITV)

Married for the past 50 years, former politician Gyles Brandreth was chatting to Alison about the spin-off series when he revealed that he had been signed up for the show.

‘Well, rather sweetly, my grandchildren have nominated me to go into it,’ she said.

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‘The closing date is the 31st March, we’ve had the email back saying grandchildren cannot nominate you, you’re too old,’ he joked, adding that his children were too ’embarrassed’ to nominate him’.

Dermot O’Leary joked that perhaps Gyles’ wife Michele, with whom he has three children, was the one behind the nomination.

Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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