Manx government rejects 'Love Island' prison series claim

The Manx government has dismissed reports that a documentary about the island's prison will resemble a Love Island-style reality show, claiming it will feature "serious" content.

Some reports said the fly-on-the-wall series would follow inmates' love lives and "chart their romances and clashes".

Called Island Prison, the programme will feature the jail in Jurby.

A government spokeswoman said: "There are no opportunities for male and female prisoners to mix."

She added: "This is a serious documentary. To portray it in this manner shows a complete lack of respect to victims and those who contributed to the making of the documentary."

Producers are yet to confirm broadcast dates for the ITV series, which was filmed between June and September.

One preview piece in the Sun newspaper described the programme as a "crazy Big Brother-style reality series" which would be "filmed in a similar way" to programmes such as Love Island.

The inmates featured in the series "wouldn't be out of place in a TV soap," it continued.

Love Island follows contestants living in isolation in a holiday villa, dating each other while under constant video surveillance.

The BBC has asked ITV and the production company behind the series to comment.