Laura confirmed her departure from the show in 2022 (Picture: ITV)

Fans tuning into Winter Love Island 2023 will find Maya Jama has replaced Laura Whitmore as host.

Irish presenter Laura, 37, departed the coveted role as host of the ITV2 dating show after three series, originally joining in 2020 as a replacement for Caroline Flack.

After confirming her exit on Instagram in August 2022, an ITV spokesperson 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.’

But why did Laura decide to step down? Here’s what we know.

Why did Laura Whitmore quit Love Island?

Laura Whitmore made Love Island debut in 2020 (Picture: ITV)

In a statement shared in an Instagram post, Laura – whose husband Iain Stirling narrates the programme – explained: ‘Some news! I won’t be hosting the next series of Love island.

‘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 added: ‘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 three series. I hope I did you proud Caroline.’

Referencing some of the ‘certain elements’ she found difficult, Laura branded her former hosting gig as ‘exhausting,’ due to the public scrutiny.

Laura recently hailed the presenting role as ‘tough’ (Picture: ITV)

Caroline Flack died two months after Laura was announced as her replacement on Love Island (Picture: WireImage)

‘It’s still something I’m working through myself privately,’ she said during a July 2022 chat on the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip.

‘I had to also think about it for my own mental health side, because I love the show, but it comes with a lot of s**t.’

‘The host only comes on three or four times, it’s always been the way, but it gets the most attention. It’s a bit exhausting and it’s tough,’ she added.

Post the summer 2022 series of Love Island, Laura embarked on a new project – the role of Jenny in West End production 2:22 A Ghost Story, at the Criterion Theatre in London.

Her run in the role, which has also been played by Lily Allen, Giovanna Fletcher, Mandip Gill and Cheryl as part of a revolving cast, lasted from September 6, 2022 until January 8, 2023.

More: Love Island

Laura has also teased a new TV project coming in 2023, called ‘Laura Whitmore Investigates’, on her Instagram.

Originally, Laura began fronting Love Island in 2020, following the death of TV presenter Caroline Flack.

Remembering the adored late star, she said: ‘I saw when Caroline worked on the show what she got every year and I never knew how she handled it. I always thought, “Jesus, she’s so strong.” And people aren’t as strong as you think they are.’

Upon the announcement of Laura’s departure, fellow celebrities rushed to congratulate her run on the show.

Singer Olly Murs wrote: ‘You was unreal Laura 👏🏻👌🏻❤️’, while 2019 bombshell and finalist Maura Higgins also shared: ‘You will be missed.’

Winter Love Island 2023 returns to ITV2 at 9pm tonight.

MORE : Maya Jama reveals the moment she found out she was replacing Laura Whitmore as Love Island host

MORE : Laura Whitmore admits she would have stayed on as Love Island host under different conditions

MORE : Love Island’s Kai Fagan ready to get frisky despite teaching career: ‘If stuff happens, stuff happens’

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Laura confirmed the news in August last year.