'Love Island' stars have praised Laura Whitmore after she quit as the show's host.
Love Island stars praise Laura Whitmore after she quit the show
The 37-year-old TV presenter took to her Instagram account on Monday (22.08.22) to reveal she will not be fronting the next series of the ITV2 dating show - two years after she took over the role from the late Caroline Flack - and several former Islanders have admitted she will be "missed".
Maura Higgins wrote on Instagram: "You will be missed"
Demi Jones posted: "You were incredible! We’ll miss you"
Ex-'Love Island' winner Paige Turley admitted she was "gutted" to hear Laura has left the show.
She wrote: "Gutted to hear this. You were amazing!! (sic)"
Former Islander Chris Hughes commented: "You did unreal"
Self-confessed 'Love Island' super-fan Vicky Pattison posted: "You did wonderful mate!! You'll be missed"
Laura - who welcomed daughter Stevie into the world in March 2021 with her husband Iain Stirling, who narrates 'Love Island' - admitted she found some elements of the show "very difficult" and it wasn't possible to alter them due to "the format".
She wrote: "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. 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 (sic)"
An ITV spokesperson said about Laura’s 'Love Island' exit: "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."
Last month, the presenter also departed her BBC Radio 5 Live show after four years.
In June, ITV confirmed there will be two series of 'Love Island' on ITV2 and ITVX next year.
A winter series will air in the new year as a fresh batch of Islanders head to South Africa on a quest for romance, and there will be another eight-week run in summer 2023 in Mallorca.
Paul Mortimer, Director of Reality Commissioning and Controller, ITV2, said: "'Love Island' has once again proved itself to be the nation’s favourite talking point across the summer, and we’re always blown away by the show’s ongoing impact and talkability amongst our younger audience.
"So, rather than just serving up a Summer of Love, we thought we’d make 2023 the Year of Love with two full series of the show."
Tagged in Caroline Flack Laura Whitmore Iain Stirling