Love Island host Laura Whitmore quits ‘very difficult’ show
TV host Laura Whitmore has quit Love Island.
She announced her departure from the popular reality show after more than two years. The Irish presenter had originally been brought in to temporarily replace Caroline Flack – but following Flack’s suicide, she ended up remaining in the role for several seasons.
Whitmore took over as host in January 2020 after Flack had been arrested for domestic assault in December 2019 – Flack’s suicide came just two months later.
“Some news! I won’t be hosting the next series of Love Island,” the model, 37, captioned an Instagram post on Monday.
“There are certain elements of the show I’ve found very difficult that cannot be changed some due to the format, including the flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects,” she continued.
“I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands. I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into 3 series. I hope I did you proud Caroline .”
Whitmore highlights the show’s harsh filming schedules which require presenters to fly back and forth throughout the eight-week run.
ITV said, “Laura has been a fantastic host across the last three series of the show.”
“We are so grateful for everything she has brought to the programme but understand and respect her decision, and we look forward to working with her on upcoming ITV projects.”
Love Island fans will have plenty to watch next year as a winter edition is scheduled to take place in South Africa, followed by a standard Mallorca-set summer series.
ITV is yet to announce Whitmore’s replacement.