Laura Whitmore and Maya Jama have clapped back at talk that they appeared to 'ignore' each other at The BRIT Awards 2023. The Love Island presenters both took to Instagram following reports they didn't speak at the glitzy ceremony at The O2 Arena in London despite being seated on the same table.
Laura, who is married to the ITV2 dating contest narrator Iain Stirling, took over hosting duties on the first winter edition of the popular show from the late Caroline Flack in January 2020. Sharing the news of her decision to leave Love Island last summer after three series, the 37-year-old cited 'flying back and forth' between the UK and South Africa and 'new conflicting projects.'
New host Maya, 28, took over the helm last month for the second winter series in South Africa. Taking to Instagram Stories, Laura wrote: "I'm so sick of the media constabntly trying to run this narrarive with women," she wrote.
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"Imagine the audacity of also talking to other people at out table," she added. And she urged: "Stop trying to put wmen against each other and start celebrating women supporting women."
Posting a blowing kiss emoji she signed off by saying: "We had a great night @mayajama." And Maya shared Laura's message, agreeing: "Silly silly silly. I think very highly of @thewhitmore and think she's an angel. Maybe quote that instead." And she told Laura with a love heart: "Back at ya lovely."
Announcing her Love Island departure, Laura wrote in August: "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."
Paying tribute to her dear friend Caroline she continued: "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 said at the time about becoming host of the popular show's first ever winter series that Caroline had supported her in the role. "She has been very kind to me and strongly pushed me for this role," she said. "I’ve watched her host every series and know I have big boots to fill. I will try and do it justice."
Maya, who presented BBC One's Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer alongside footballing star Peter Crouch, previously said on taking over from Laura that she did not want to do too much research for Love Island, as she felt you need to “still be yourself” in the role.
Reflecting on her reaction to being offered the job, she said: “It was a no-brainer, obviously, because I’m a massive fan of the show. I was like, ‘OK, when does it start?’… It’s all a bit of a blur, to be honest. But I found out and said, ‘Yes, absolutely!’ and now we’re off to South Africa.”
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