Love Island stars given undercover Disney identities viewers never knew about

A Love Island hopeful has lifted the lid on a bizarre behind-the-scenes secret, claiming contestants are given Disney-inspired code names by producers before entering the villa

Carly Hacon Showbiz Reporter

09:34, 08 Jun 2026Updated 09:35, 08 Jun 2026

Lorenzo on Love Island(Image: ITV)

Love Island hopefuls are reportedly given secret Disney-inspired code names by producers in a bid to keep the show's biggest twists under wraps.

The surprising behind-the-scenes revelation came from TikTok user Alex Sanderson, who has shared his own near-miss story about almost appearing on the ITV dating show last summer.

Alex explained that he made it through much of the audition process, including meetings with ITV producers, psychological assessments and medical checks, before being lined up as a potential Casa Amor bombshell. Speaking in a video posted online, he said: "We went through the process, did everything, met producers, had your psych test, went for a medical and all that."

[Alex Sanderson was flown out to Majorca last year]

Alex Sanderson was flown out to Majorca last year(Image: TIKTOK/@@alexsandersonn)

According to Alex, producers eventually flew him out to Mallorca after telling him there was a chance he could enter the villa. But while waiting to discover his fate, he was handed an unusual undercover identity.

"Also, you got given a code name," he revealed. "The contestants will know. You've got a Disney character."

Alex joked that his own nickname couldn't have been more accurate. "Mine was f****** Dumbo though. If you know me, how fitting is that? It's just me to a T."

The reality TV hopeful also claimed there were other contestants waiting in the wings under similar aliases. "There was also a Sully and a Dory out there," he said.

[Alex]

He opened up about the behind-the-scenes process(Image: TIKTOK/@@alexsandersonn)

While the Disney-themed system may sound bizarre, it appears to be a clever way of keeping contestants' identities secret while they're being transported around Mallorca ahead of entering the villa.

Alex's journey nearly unravelled before he even arrived at the holding location.

During his flight from the UK, fellow passengers became convinced he was heading into Love Island after spotting him travelling alone.

One particularly lively group even began telling other holidaymakers he was joining the show. After landing, Alex said more people approached him for photographs after hearing the rumours.

"A woman comes up and she's like, 'Are you the one who's going on Love Island?'" he recalled. "I had people asking for photos and I thought, 'This is my three seconds of fame.'"

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Despite making it all the way to Mallorca, Alex ultimately never entered the villa.

Looking back, however, he has no hard feelings. "I don't know what the ins and outs were, why I didn't get on," he admitted.

"But I'm a big believer the universe has a weird way of guiding you through your path. It weren't meant to be."

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