James Barker Dies: ‘Love Island USA’ Executive Producer Was 40

James Barker, a Love Island USA producer who had been working on the current season of the Peacock dating series, has died. He was 40.

The executive producer died in Fiji last week after suffering an unexpected medical emergency, ITV America and Peacock confirmed.

Barker started working on Love Island USA in 2020 as a story producer and worked his way up to EP, a role he had been preparing for over the past three seasons. His contributions to the show covered both production and post-production, and overseeing the show’s 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 beloved and greatly valued member of our collective family whose kindness, talent, and dedication left an indelible mark on all of us and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him. We extend our heartfelt condolences to James’ partner, family, friends, and colleagues.”

Love Island USA is set to pay tribute to the producer on Tuesday night’s episode.

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

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