Stranded on Honeymoon Island sees 12 singletons embark on a speed dating ceremony unlike any other
Monde Mwitumwa TV and Celebrity Reporter
22:11, 03 Sep 2025Updated 22:11, 03 Sep 2025
Stranded on Honeymoon Island sees 12 singletons looking for love(Image: BBC/ CPL Productions,)
BBC viewers were swift to notice a problem mere minutes into Davina McCall’s dating programme as they raged “What is this?”
The fresh series, Stranded on Honeymoon Island, tracks 12 singletons as they take part in a speed dating ceremony like no other.
With encounters lasting just five minutes, relationship specialists then match up the couples for a mock wedding ceremony. The major twist is that contestants remain unaware of their partner’s identity until they proceed down the aisle.
During this evening’s episode (September 3) proceedings began with a speed dating session where the singles, after five minutes of conversation, are requested to choose their preferences. The ultimate pairings are then determined by professional matchmakers.
In the following phase of the programme the duos attend their mock wedding ceremony. The bride, dressed in white gown and veil, proceeds down the aisle without knowing who awaits at the altar to wed her, reports the Mirror.
12 singletons embark on a speed dating ceremony unlike any other on BBC new reality show Stranded on Honeymoon Island (Image: BBC)READ MORE: 28 Years Later sequel trailer shows period drama star taking on role inspired by controversial starREAD MORE: Gogglebox legend is related to very famous soap star and fans ‘had no idea’
Once marooned, couples must then cohabit in a basic beach hut, without electricity, featuring a double bed and merely a shower and toilet.
Viewers witnessed the initial three couples being matched, beginning with marketing manager Hannah, 29, a ‘party girl’ and Sam, 30, who operates his own fashion brand.
Subsequently paired are lesbian couple Helen, 35, a radio presenter who characterises herself as an ‘Essex girl and raging lesbian’ and Abby, 32, a sports coach and ‘player on and off the field’. The final couple to be introduced are Mae, 30, a recruitment consultant, and Moray, 28, a property developer.
Mae, who describes herself as a diva, shares with viewers the unfortunate fate of her previous relationship, stating, “there was an unfortunate accident where he fell… into his colleague’s vagina”.
All three couples appeared content with their chosen partners and eagerly embarked on the experiment.
BBC viewers have compared the new BBC show to Married At First Sight (Image: Channel 4)
Predictably, it didn’t take long for viewers to flood social media with their reactions, many drawing comparisons between the dating show and Channel 4’s popular programme, Married At First Sight.
One viewer posted on X, previously known as X: “So this is married at first sight, but they’ve just jumped straight to the honeymoon ? #StrandedOnHoneymoonIsland.”
Another confessed: “This looks like a cross between Married At First Sight and Love Island. #StrandedOnHoneymoonIsland.”
A third vented: “What is this? Married at First S*** #StrandedOnHoneymoonIsland.” One pointed out: “Love is blind, love island and MAFS having a first date …kinda show #StrandedOnHoneymoonIsland.”
Another remarked: “#StrandedOnHoneymoonIsland Why can’t TV Channels come up with something totally different to what has gone before?”.
Meanwhile, one fan suggested: “I guess #StrandedOnHoneymoonIsland will fill the #MAFSUK gap until MAFSUK returns.”
Stranded on Honeymoon Island airs on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night at 9pm on BBC One and on the BBC iPlayer
