Love Island is in search of a new host after Laura Whitmore announced on Instagram that she'd be leaving the ITV2 dating show. The Irish presenter took over from the late Caroline Flack, who was the original Love Island host.
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." But who is in the running to replace Laura on Love Island?
Read more: Laura Whitmore to step down from hosting Love Island
Maya Jama
Maya has long been a favourite to host Love Island. Following the tragic passing of the show's original host, Caroline Flack, many fans were keen on her as a replacement. The role, ultimately, went to Laura Whitmore.
Much like Laura, Maya rose to prominence with an MTV gig. She became the host of MTV Base show, The Wrap Up, before moving on to host MTV Essentials and MTV News. She has since worked on a number of popular reality TV shows including Glow Up, The Circle and MTV's True Love or True Lies. Last year, Maya joined Celebrity Juice as a regular panelist.
AJ Odudu
Perhaps best known for co-presenting Big Brother's Bit on the Side with Rylan Clark, AJ Odudu is fast becoming a household name. Recently, she became one of the two new hosts of Channel 4's The Big Breakfast with comedian Mo Gilligan, and she also presents The Bridge for the same broadcaster.
Last year, AJ appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, but had to dramatically quit the competition the day before the final as she sustained an injury. During her time on the show, she was partnered with Kai Widdrington.
Alison Hammond
Here is a presenter who seems to be rumoured for loads of TV programmes. This Morning's Alison Hammond has been touted as a potential replacement for Laura Whitmore. Since her TV debut on the third series of Big Brother, Alison has appeared on numerous television programmes including I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Celebrity Coach Trip, Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Masterchef.
Earlier this year, it emerged that Alison was a favourite to host ITV's revival of Big Brother. Surely she will have to choose one or the other if successful?
Maura Higgins
An interesting one, as Maura Higgins famously appeared on Love Island in 2019 when she finished in fourth place. The 31-year-old from Ireland was a fan-favourite during her time on the show and delivered some of the programme's most iconic moments.
Since leaving the villa, she has continued to appear on TV and has also been a contestant on Dancing on Ice and Cooking with the Stars. Could Maura be Love Island's second Irish presenter? She certainly knows her way around the villa.
Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu won the most recent series of Love Island alongside boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti. Prior to appearing on the ITV2 dating show, she was already an established actress and model and therefore, it wouldn't be a stretch to see her turn her hand to presenting.
Since winning the show at the beginning of August, Ekin-Su has continued her TV work. She made a notable appearance on Loose Women, following which viewers took to social media to suggest that she should become a regular panelist. You can read more about that here.
Could you see Ekin-Su stepping up as Love Island's main host? Let us know in the comments. For more showbiz and television stories, get our newsletter here.
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