Laura Whitmore may have had different plans for her first few weeks of 2020, but after Caroline Flack stepped down from her hosting role following her arrest, the 34 year old was announced as her replacement.
A long-time fan of the show – thanks, in part, to her boyfriend Iain Stirling’s role as the voiceover – Laura can’t wait to get stuck into the new series, starting on 12th January.
How do you feel about joining the Winter Love Island team?
"I’m super excited, it’s the biggest and best TV show. Normally I’m sitting on my sofa watching it, which I’ll still be doing when I’m not out in South Africa, but I’m so glad to be a part of it too.
"I can’t wait to work with the team and in a different location this year which will bring a brand new side of things. I can’t wait to meet the Islanders too!"
CHECK OUT: The Love Island 2020 winter cast
LOVE ISLAND JANUARY 2020 C0NFIRMED LINE UP
1 of 20Leanne Amaning
Age: 22Hometown: LondonOccupation: Customer Service AdvisorDumped: 29th January after Mike chose to couple up with Sophie.
2 of 20Siânnise Fudge
Age: 25Hometown: BristolOccupation: Beauty Consultant
3 of 20Eve and Jess Gale
Age: 20Hometown: LondonOccupation: Students and VIP Hostesses Eve Gale: Dumped in the first re-coupling after failing to be picked by a boy.
4 of 20Shaughna Phillips
Age: 25Hometown: LondonOccupation: Democratic Services Officer Dumped: after a re-coupling when she wasn't chosen by Luke Mabbot
5 of 20Sophie Piper
Age: 21Hometown: EssexOccupation: Medical PADumped in a public vote
6 of 20Paige Turley
Age: 22Hometown: West LothianOccupation: Singer
7 of 20Mike Boateng
Age: 24Hometown: LondonOccupation: Police Officer
8 of 20Connor Durman
Age: 25Hometown: BrightonOccupation: Coffee Bean SalesmanDumped: 26th January after he and Sophie were voted the public's least favourite couple and the Islanders had to send one of them home.
9 of 20Callum Jones
Age: 23Hometown: ManchesterOccupation: ScaffolderDumped: By public vote that culminated in an Islander's decider with partner Molly smith
10 of 20Nas Majeed
Age: 23Hometown: LondonOccupation: Sports Science Graduate and BuilderDumped: In a public vote with Casa Amor partner Eva Zapico
11 of 20Ollie Williams
Age: 23Hometown: CornwallOccupation: Heir to the Lanhydrock Estate/Land OwnerChose to leave due to missing a former girlfriendLeft: Ollie quit the show on 14th January to get back with his ex.
12 of 20Finley Tapp
Age: 20Hometown: Milton KeynesOccupation: Recruitment consultant
13 of 20Connagh Howard
Age: 26Hometown: CardiffOccupation: ModelDumped by Siannese Fudge Dumped: 25th January after failing to be chosen by any of the women.
14 of 20Rebecca Gormley
Age: 21Hometown: NewcastleOccupation: Part-time Model and CarerDumped in public vote with Casa Amor partner Jordan Waobikeze
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15 of 20Luke Mabbott
Age: 24Hometown: RedcarOccupation: Heating Engineer
16 of 20Luke Trotman
Age: 22Hometown: LutonOccupation: Semi-pro footballer and Student
17 of 20Demi Jones
Age: 21Hometown: PortsmouthOccupation: Fashion Advisor in a local boutique
18 of 20Wallace Wilson
Age: 24Hometown: InvernessOccupation: Personal TrainerDumped after one week in a public vote, left with Sophie Piper
19 of 20Wallace Wilson
Age: 24Hometown: InvernessOccupation: Personal trainerDumped: By public vote that culminated in an Islander decider with Sophie Piper
20 of 20Ched Uzor
Age: 23Hometown: SuffolkOccupation: Scaffolder
Do you have any favourite moments from previous series?
"Sometimes it’s the relationships that you don’t expect that can become your favourite, like Chris and Kem’s bromance which will always be special.
"When Amy left the villa last year, it was such a big moment. I was actually out in Mallorca on holiday and bumped into her at the airport on her way home. I remember seeing her and giving her a hug and telling her, ‘You did so great in there!
"I’ve met quite a few of the Islanders from previous series too - Iain is close to Alex and Olivia and went to their wedding. I always joke with Laura Anderson that I stole her ‘Laura’ water bottle which was a back up in Mallorca that Iain got me. I think it was hers... I have it now!"
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Are you excited to work on the show with Iain?
"Well, I couldn’t possibly let him go out there and have fun without me!
"It will be nice. I’ve always said it, he’s one of the best things about the show. As the voiceover, he is the heart of it and he’s saying the things that people at home are thinking but in a funnier way.
"He’s brilliant, the show is the way it is because of him and I feel lucky to now be a part of it."
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