Hulme

The Sun's senior showbiz reporter Lottie Hulme says the programme's "authentic emotion" sets it apart from competitors like Love Island, Love Is Blind, Married At First Sight and Dating Naked.

"It was refreshing and almost shocking to see something so raw, because it's something that we just don't see on the reality TV shows in Britain nowadays," Hulme says.

Alongside constructed storylines, the commercialised reality TV to influencer pipeline has made existing formats feel "predictable" adds Hulme.

Mr Hulme said staff had been thrown "slightly off course" by an earlier-than-expected surge in flu infections.

The trust's chief executive Nick Hulme said some staff were receiving more than £4,000 in back pay and talks were ongoing with the union.