Love Island host Laura Whitmore announces her departure from the series: ‘I hope I did you proud Caroline’

Virgin Radio

23 Aug 2022, 07:40

Weeks after the Love Island 2022 winners were crowned, host Laura Whitmore announced that she is leaving the series. 

The Irish presenter, who has been at the helm of the ITV2 reality show since 2020, took to Instagram to share that she won’t be returning to the Mallorcan villa. 

Accompanying a photo of her signature strut, Laura wrote in the caption: “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.”

Laura filled in for Caroline Flack, who had been the face of the series since 2015, following her departure in 2019. The beloved TV host passed away in February 2020. 

Love Island alums rushed to praise the host for her time on the popular series. 2019 favourite Maura Higgins wrote: “You will be missed,” while 2020 winner Paige Turley commented: “Gutted to hear this. You were amazing!!”

2021 singleton Faye Winter added: “She really would be proud! You done incredibly.”

ITV also confirmed the news, writing in a statement (via Metro): “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.”

Maura is one of a number of favourites to take over the role, after winning over the public with her hilarious antics and relationship with then-boyfriend Curtis Pritchard. 

Underneath Maura’s supportive comments to Laura, one fan wrote: “Now you would be excellent at doing love Island,” while another said: “You would be amazing doing this job.”

Other past Love Islanders who fans would love to see fill Laura’s shoes include 2022 winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, who landed the £50,000 prize with boyfriend Davide Scaliamenti earlier this month. 

They beat runners up Luca Bish and Gemma Owen, daughter of Michael Owen, to bag the cash prize which, for the first time in the series, wasn’t part of a ‘steal or share’ segment between the couple. 

Love Island will return to ITV2 in 2023.