Laura Whitmore has quit Love Island, telling fans she can no longer host the ITV2 series.
The presenter, 37, and mother-of-one took over the mantel from Caroline Flack back in 2020 but has now decided to step down as presenter after three seasons.
Laura announced her news on Instagram on Monday evening - just days after detailing about how she was struggling with the backlash she faced from fans in the most recent series.
She said: "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."
ITV added in a statement: "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."
Laura's followers took to the comment section following the news.
One wrote: "You did a great job to be fair to you. We almost wanted you to win...!! Even though we know that's not how the show works."
Another added: "That’s sad to hear but you must do what’s best for you and the family. You are still the best".
It comes just days after Laura opened up about the difficulties of being under intense scrutiny while helming the ITV2 dating show.
The television personality came under fire during the latest series of the show when 427 viewers complained to Ofcom following comments she made about Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu during an episode of Aftersun.
Following a barrage of complaints through official channels and via social media, ITV producers declared they “do not condone trolling against our host or Islanders”.
Laura described the spotlight on her hosting Love Island as “exhausting and tough”.
The Irish TV presenter labelled the focus on her “unfair”, particularly on social media, where she said that being a woman is “scary”, adding men are not treated the same way.
The Celebrity Juice star told the Distraction Pieces podcast: “With stuff with Love Island, it’s just a bit exhausting sometimes because some of the stuff is just mental.
“As a host, this takes up not a huge amount of my time compared to my other work. It’s over eight weeks.
“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 continued: “You know what’s hard? I’ve seen other women talked about online the way I’ve been talked about online.
“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.
“It’s scary when you start, you get the exact same stuff that she got like, ‘Where’s the presenter? They’re never in there.’
“I get that some of it you have to take with a pinch of salt, but then some of it is a bit exhausting.”
Laura went on to describe how she believes women in the industry are picked on more than men, saying: “I’m very aware that not everyone gets talked about in the same way."
Laura's husband Iain Stirling is thought to be staying on as the show's narrator.
ITV also recently announced there will be two series of the show in 2023 – a winter series in South Africa and a summer series in Majorca – which Whitmore was originally expected to host.
The broadcaster has not yet said who will replace the Irish presenter in the role.
Fans previously begged bosses to sign this year's winner Ekin-Su up as the new host.
"EKIN-SU TO REPLACE LAURA WHITMORE NEXT SERIES," one user tweeted along with a snap of Ekin-Su dancing.
Another added: "Ekin-Su should take over as love island host. Sack Laura and give her the contract."
Other suggested names for Laura's replacement include Maura Higgins or Maya Jama.
Laura revealed last month that she was leaving her BBC Radio 5 Live show after four years.
The TV star appears to be breaking into new ventures as she recently confirmed she would be making her West End debut this September as she joins the new cast of supernatural thriller 2:22 – A Ghost Story.
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