Beloved Executive Producer of Love Island USA Has Passed Away in Fiji

It's with great sadness that we announce the passing of James Barker, the executive producer of the wildly popular reality dating show Love Island USA.

Barker died last week after an unexpected medical emergency during filming for the show's eighth season.

In a statement, ITV America and Peacock Television paid tribute to Barker, saying: "James' unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire 'Love Island USA' production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock."

"He was a beloved and greatly valued member of our collective family whose kindness, talent, and dedication left an indelible mark on all of us and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to James' partner, family, friends, and colleagues."

Barker had been working on Love Island USA since 2020 and had been executive producer for the last three seasons. He began his television career in 2011, working as a producer on shows like Counting Cars, Forged in Fire, and Pawn Stars.

He was also a talented DJ with a dedicated following of fans.

"After meeting his partner Adam at a show, their shared love of music was at the center of the life they built together," Barker's partner Adam Roth told NBC News in a statement.

The show's eighth season debuted June 2, and its first few episodes generated 824 million minutes viewed, a 74 per cent increase over Season 7.