Laura Whitmore revealed this week that she is quitting as the presenter of Love Island - but fans think they have already sussed out her next career move. The 37-year-old took over from the late Caroline Flack as the host of the ITV2 dating show back in January 2020 for its first ever winter series.
The Irish presenter went on to host two further series before announcing that she would be stepping down. Laura, who is married to and has a baby daughter with Love Island voiceover Iain Stirling, said 'certain elements' of the show made it difficult and conflicted with 'new projects'.
Laura revealed she was only planning to fill in for one series but took on the role for much longer after her friend Caroline's sudden death in February 2020 where she tragically took her own life aged 40.
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Sharing her decision on Instagram on Monday evening, Laura 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."
Ever since Laura's shock announcement Love Island viewers have been assuming who they think will take over the helm of Love Island and its spin-off Aftersun when the popular show returns for two series next year.
Love Island will be back for a second winter edition set in Cape Town, South Africa, following the success of its summer series in Mallorca which launched in 2015.
Twitter users have been having their say with names put forward including former Radio One presenter Maya Jama, The Big Breakfast presenter and Strictly 2021 finalist AJ Odudu as well as 2019 Islander Maura Higgins and this year's winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.
@samiswhoiam tweeted: "@AJOdudu is the right person to host love island #LoveIsland with someone new and unknown for aftersun!!." @EDROCHE said: "Can we all agree that @AJOdudu would be a perfect host for the show!!" And @laverne742 decided: "Only one women for the job - AJ Odudu to replace Laura Whitmore."
@selfsuccess01 said: "With Laura Whitmore leaving her role as #loveisland host, I smell Maya Jama as the perfect replacement." And @Laurarooke84 wrote: "My money's on @MayaJama for new #loveisland host."
But in recent days Love Island fans now think they've worked out the 'real reason' why Laura is no longer hosting Love Island, which they've put down to her taking on the role of presenting another show.
After it was announced that Big Brother will return to screens next year after being revived by ITV, eagle eyed fans now think that Laura Whitmore has been picked as the new host.
Following a five-year hiatus, the reality TV programme, which was shown on Channel 4 and 5 previously, will return in 2023 on ITV2 with its famous house featuring a 'contemporary new look'.
The news was confirmed by a promotional video that aired during the Love Island series finale on ITV2.
Viewers have since taken to Twitter to share their predictions that Laura will front the upcoming series.
@CarryOnDaniel wrote: "I bet Laura Whitmore will be hosting Big Brother," as @natashabvj said: Laura Whitmore is gonna host big brother. mark my words."
@muzzy131191 tweeted Laura and asked: "Does your news of leaving love island mean you are the new presenter for Big Brother @thewhitmore?."
@SophieRB73 said: "So who reckons @thewhitmore is hosting big brother, now she’s left @LoveIsland ? #bigbrotheruk #LoveIsland."
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