news Alerts
There are no new alerts at this time
James Barker, an executive producer on \u201cLove Island USA,\u201d died \u201cafter suffering an unexpected medical emergency\u201d while the show was filming in Fiji, according to ITV America and Peacock. He was 40.
Subscribe to read this story ad-free
Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.
In a statement shared with NBC News, the networks said Barker died last week while filming on the South Pacific island after an unexpected medical emergency. Details surrounding his death remain unclear.
He will be honored in Tuesday\u2019s episode of the show, the statement added.
\u201cJames was the absolute light and love of my life,\u201d Barker\u2019s partner, Adam Roth, said in a statement to NBC News.
\u201cHe brought joy and brilliance to everything he touched. James was such a champion of the community of young music artists he was able to introduce to audiences on \u201cLove Island,\u201d Roth continued.
He said the couple met at a Billie Eilish concert \u201cand live music was a constant in our relationship.\u201d
\u201cI am so proud of the work he did and that he was surrounded by such an amazing team. His loss is unimaginable,\u201d Roth continued. \u201cWhile it was not enough, I am so thankful for the time we had and the memories we made together.\u201d
Barker had been with the reality dating show since 2020, starting out as a story producer and working his way up to executive producer, a role he held for the last three seasons.
\u201cJames\u2019 unimaginable loss has been deeply felt across not just the entire \u2018Love Island USA\u2019 production, but throughout all of ITV and Peacock,\u201d the statement said.
\u201cHe 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\u2019 family, friends and colleagues,\u201d it added.
TMZ was the first to report the news.
\u201cLove Island USA\u201d is in its 8th season, which premiered this month. The real-time dating competition releases new episodes daily, except Wednesdays, after its first week on Peacock. (Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News.)
Barker began his career in TV in 2011, working as a producer on shows such as \u201cCounting Cars,\u201d \u201cForged in Fire\u201d and \u201cPawn Stars,\u201d according to the statement.
When he joined ITV, the statement said, he worked on the Emmy-winning \u201cQueer Eye\u201d before becoming a producer on \u201cLove Island USA\u201d and \u201cLove Island Games.\u201d
Barker also spent 20 years DJing across the country, the statement said.
Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.
© 2026 NBCUniversal Media, LLC<\/p>\n