Love Island bosses sign first ever ‘blind’ contestant, 26, who suffered shock footballing accident
WINTER Love Island bosses have signed the franchise’s first partially-sighted contestant.
Ron Hall, 26, lost the sight in his right eye in a footballing accident as a youngster.
The finance worker, from Essex, is in quarantine in ahead of the show’s launch a week tomorrow.
It comes after model Tasha Ghouri, 24, appeared as the first deaf contestant in last summer’s series.
A source on the ITV2 show said: “The casting team are excited by the signing. It’s a really positive move to have more diversity on-screen, especially as there are so few blind people on telly.
“Ron is great guy, he’s got loads of mates and is sports mad, he loves golf and has recently taken up boxing.
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“He’s keen to meet new people and, hopefully, find love.
“He’s also really open about his disability and is hoping to raise awareness and help others by discussing it on screen.”
The reality series has been criticised for a lack of diversity in previous years.
However, A National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) spokeswoman told the Sun: “We are pleased to see greater representation of people with disabilities on reality shows.
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"Libby Clegg on Dancing on Ice, Rose Ayling-Ellis on Strictly Come Dancing and Tasha Ghouri on Love Island last year, it’s a step in the right direction and it’s clear the positive impact this representation can have.
"We hope TV series will continue to diversify their contestants and actors to challenge misconceptions of those living with a disability.”
The winter series is returning after three years, with Maya Jama, 28, replacing Laura Whitmore, 37, as host.
Last month, it was revealed contestants will disable their social media during the show for the first time to protect themselves and their families.
