Love Island USA narrator Iain Stirling opens up about his controversial joke, audience backlash, and upcoming U.S. comedy tour
Iain Stirling, the beloved voice behind Love Island USA, is known for his witty narration and cheeky commentary — but the comedian recently addressed a joke that didn’t land well with fans, especially those rooting for former Islander Jeremiah Brown.
In a candid conversation with E! News, Stirling reflected on his narration in Episode 21 of the current Peacock season, where dumped Islanders Olandria Carthen and Nic Vansteenberghe were given a surprise opportunity to return to the villa. During their date, Stirling joked that Jeremiah, who had been previously eliminated, would return to serve as their waiter — a moment meant in jest, but not received as warmly as he expected.
“I’ll be honest, it was, perhaps, a misjudgment by me,” Stirling admitted. “I genuinely thought people would appreciate the nod to him, because we very rarely talk about it, but if you think about it, it’s an unwritten rule that I never really joke about the Islanders once they’ve gone.”
He emphasized that the joke came from a place of admiration, not ridicule.
“It was a genuine statement of love that I mentioned Jeremiah after he’d already left the show,” Stirling said. “I thought people would be, ‘Oh, that’s funny.’ He was such an intrinsic part of the show. Some people did take it as such, and then some people sadly didn’t, and I apologize to those people.”
Stirling’s Signature Voice — and Next Stage
Iain Stirling’s narration has become synonymous with Love Island, not only in the U.S. but also in his native UK, where he continues as the official voice for Love Island UK on ITV2.
His quick wit, sarcastic tone, and well-timed jokes have won him a cult following — but they’ve also highlighted the delicate balance of humor in unscripted TV. His recent comment about Jeremiah Brown, a fan-favorite who was voted off amid emotional drama with Huda Mustafa, stirred up strong reactions online from viewers who were hoping for his return to the villa.
Now, Stirling is channeling his sharp humor into a live stand-up tour, announcing two U.S. dates where fans can finally see the man behind the mic perform on stage.
- October 22, 2025 – The Improv, Los Angeles
- October 29, 2025 – Gramercy Theatre, New York City
“This Is What I Do” — Stirling Talks Stand-Up Roots
In a recent interview with Deadline, Stirling shared his excitement about bringing his long-standing comedy career to U.S. audiences.
“Hopefully, people that have enjoyed me on Love Island, and particularly enjoyed my voice, just sort of seeing what I’ve been doing for 15 years, which is stand-up,” he said. “It’s my chance to show America that this is what I do and I’m not just a guy in a dark room behind a microphone.”
Known in the UK comedy circuit for his quick observational humor and relatable anecdotes, Stirling has had a full-fledged career beyond television narration. The U.S. tour marks a new chapter in expanding his global comedy reach.
Whether on stage or in the voiceover booth, Iain Stirling continues to straddle the line between satire and sincerity — even if the occasional joke misses the mark.