Love Island USA Executive Producer James Barker Dies at 40

James Barker, a Love Island USA producer who was working on the latest season of the Peacock dating show, has died. He was 40.

ITV America and Peacock revealed that the executive producer died in Fiji last week due to an unanticipated medical emergency.

Barker began working on Love Island USA as a story producer in 2020 and worked his way up to EP, a position he had been preparing for during the previous three seasons. His contributions to the show included production and post-production, as well as overseeing the soundtrack.

“James’ unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire Love Island USA production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock,” ITV America and Peacock said in a joint statement.

“He was a cherished and highly valued part of our collective family, and his generosity, talent, and dedication made a lasting impression on all of us, as well as everyone who had the opportunity of knowing and working with him. We send our heartfelt sympathies to James’ partner, family, friends, and colleagues.

Love Island USA will pay tribute to the producer on Tuesday night’s show.

Barker started his television career in 2011 as a producer for Leftfield Pictures, where he worked on shows like Counting Cars, Forged in Fire, and Pawn Stars. He produced Queer Eye as well as multiple seasons of Love Island USA and Love Island Games for ITV America. Barker has produced shows for Scout Productions, Sharp Entertainment, and Kinetic Content.