Posted: 20:08, 22 August 2022 | Updated: 20:50, 22 August 2022
Laura Whitmore has announced she is quitting Love Island and will not be returning to present the next series of the ITV2 dating show. The Irish presenter, 37, joined Love Island in 2020 and has presented the hugely popular reality TV show for three series. On Monday, Laura took to her Instagram to confirm she would be leaving the show, saying that flying back and forth from the villa is “very difficult”. Exit: Laura Whitmore has announced she is leaving Love Island and will not be returning to present the next series of the ITV2 dating show The summer series of Love Island is based in Mallorca while the winter installment is broadcast from South Africa. Laura replaced Caroline Flack as host of Love Island when she left in December 2019. Caroline tragically took her own life aged 40 in February 2020. In her statement, Laura said she only planned to fill in for Caroline for one series, emotionally saying she hoped she had made her late friend “proud”. Speaking on Instagram, Laura said: ‘Some news! I won’t be hosting the next series of Love island. Presenter: The Irish presenter, 37, joined Love Island in 2020 and has presented the hugely popular reality TV show for three series Leaving: But on Monday, Laura confirmed on Instagram that she would be leaving the show, saying that flying back and forth from the villa is ‘very difficult’ “There are certain elements of the show that I found very difficult that cannot be changed due to the format, including flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects. “I wish it was still possible, but know that you will be in safe hands. I was only planning on filling in for Caroline for one series and it became 3 series. “I hope I made you proud Caroline.” An ITV spokesman said: “Laura has been a fantastic host for the last three series of the show. Tribute: Laura said she only planned to fill in for former presenter Caroline Flack – who took her own life in February 2020 – for a series, saying she hoped to make her late friend “proud” “We are so grateful for everything she has brought to the programme, but we understand and respect her decision and look forward to working with her on future ITV projects.” ITV has not announced who will replace Laura as show host for the upcoming winter series of Love Island in early 2023. Following Laura’s announcement on Instagram, her famous friends and former Love Island stars rushed to comment to shower her with praise. Former contestant Faye Winter said: “She would be really proud! You’ve done incredibly well.’ And Love Islander Demi Jones added: ‘You were incredible! We will miss you.’ While Vicky Pattison gushed: ‘You did great mate!! You will be missed.” Laura – who has daughter Stevie Ré with Love Island narrator husband Iain Stirling – took over as host of Love Island for the winter 2020 series, which aired in South Africa. He has since presented series seven and eight of the ITV2 dating show, with the latest series seeing Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti crowned winners earlier this month. New face: ITV have not announced who will replace Laura as host for the upcoming winter series of Love Island in early 2023 The presenter previously hosted I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! NOW! for five series starting in 2011 while she was also a Eurovision commentator in 2014. Laura also competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, but was the fifth celebrity to be voted off. The model is making a career change as she is set to make her West End debut as Jenny in 2:22 A Ghost Story in September. Lily Allen, Tom Felton, Madip Gill and Giovanna Fletcher have previously starred in the popular stage production, with Laura starring alongside Felix Scott, Tamsin Carroll and Matt Willis. Couple: Laura shares daughter Stevie Ré with husband Iain Stirling (both pictured in November), who is the narrator of Love Island
