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Love Island: What is the baby challenge and when will it take place?

Former Love Island contestants Olivia Attwood and Chris Hughes famously named their baby doll 'Cash Hughes' in 2017

Sabrina Barr
Tuesday 23 July 2019 14:57 BST
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Love Island 2018: Islanders wake up to six screaming deliveries

This year's season of Love Island has seen contestants be tested on well they know their partners, assess their fellow islanders' kissing skills and take part in a controversial "Gym Bunnies" workout.

However, there's one challenge in particular which eager fans of the ITV2 reality dating programme are desperate to see on screen: the baby challenge.

The baby challenge involves the remaining couples in the villa each being given a mechanical doll to look after.

While one may assume this exercise sounds fairly simple, it is anything but. The islanders must endure their fake infant's intolerable cries as they take care of its every need, feeding it and changing it as if it were a real baby.

The challenge typically leads to contestants demonstrating how well – or badly – they are able to work on a team, an indicator of how they may fare as a couple in the real world.

So when can Love Island viewers expect to watch the baby challenge this year?

The show's producers have remained tight-lipped regarding if and when the challenge is due to be televised this series.

While ITV was unable to comment on whether the baby challenge will take place this year, a spokesperson told The Independent that it is "always very popular".

However, the challenge typically takes place in the last week of the show, meaning it could happen any day.

Several Love Island fans have expressed their excitement over the prospect of watching specific islanders assume parental duties.

"Bring on the baby challenge. I can't wait to see Ovie hanging out with a baby born doll for 45 minutes," one person tweeted.

"Tommy is going to rock the baby challenge," another remarked.

In 2017, contestants Olivia Attwood and Chris Hughes famously gave their baby doll the punny moniker "Cash Hughes", a play on the word "cashews".

Meanwhile, in 2018 Dr Alex George dropped his plastic infant while taking part in a pram racing competition, while Josh Denzel accidentally pulled an arm off of his doll.

Earlier this week, the father of islander Curtis Pritchard opened up about how the show offers counselling to the family members of contestants.

Adrian Pritchard told The Daily Star that he and his family had been offered therapy by ITV2 should they feel affected by what they see on Love Island.

“Counselling is on offer to us whenever we need it,” he said.

“There have been tough moments for us since Curtis went into the villa, but we can just ring for support at any time."

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