Laura Whitmore: ‘I couldn’t let Iain do it without me!’

The Irish presenter talks stepping into new territory

Laura Whitmore

by heatworld |
Updated on

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

Gallery

LOVE ISLAND JANUARY 2020 C0NFIRMED LINE UP

WINTER LOVE ISLAND1 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Leanne Amaning

Age: 22Hometown: LondonOccupation: Customer Service AdvisorDumped: 29th January after Mike chose to couple up with Sophie.

WINTER LOVE ISLAND2 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Siânnise Fudge

Age: 25Hometown: BristolOccupation: Beauty Consultant

WINTER LOVE ISLAND3 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Eve 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.

WINTER LOVE ISLAND4 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Shaughna Phillips

Age: 25Hometown: LondonOccupation: Democratic Services Officer Dumped: after a re-coupling when she wasn't chosen by Luke Mabbot

Sophie Piper5 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Sophie Piper

Age: 21Hometown: EssexOccupation: Medical PADumped in a public vote

Paige Turley6 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Paige Turley

Age: 22Hometown: West LothianOccupation: Singer

Mike Boateng7 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Mike Boateng

Age: 24Hometown: LondonOccupation: Police Officer

Connor Durman8 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Connor 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.

Callum Jones9 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Callum Jones

Age: 23Hometown: ManchesterOccupation: ScaffolderDumped: By public vote that culminated in an Islander's decider with partner Molly smith

Nas Majeed10 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Nas Majeed

Age: 23Hometown: LondonOccupation: Sports Science Graduate and BuilderDumped: In a public vote with Casa Amor partner Eva Zapico

Ollie Williams11 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Ollie 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.

Finley Tapp12 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Finley Tapp

Age: 20Hometown: Milton KeynesOccupation: Recruitment consultant

Connagh Howard13 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Connagh Howard

Age: 26Hometown: CardiffOccupation: ModelDumped by Siannese Fudge Dumped: 25th January after failing to be chosen by any of the women.

Rebecca Gormley14 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Rebecca Gormley

Age: 21Hometown: NewcastleOccupation: Part-time Model and CarerDumped in public vote with Casa Amor partner Jordan Waobikeze

Luke Mabbott15 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Luke Mabbott

Age: 24Hometown: RedcarOccupation: Heating Engineer

Luke Trotman16 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Luke Trotman

Age: 22Hometown: LutonOccupation: Semi-pro footballer and Student

Demi Jones17 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Demi Jones

Age: 21Hometown: PortsmouthOccupation: Fashion Advisor in a local boutique

Wallace Wilson18 of 20
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV Pictures

Wallace Wilson

Age: 24Hometown: InvernessOccupation: Personal TrainerDumped after one week in a public vote, left with Sophie Piper

Wallace Wilson19 of 20
CREDIT: @ ITV Pictures

Wallace Wilson

Age: 24Hometown: InvernessOccupation: Personal trainerDumped: By public vote that culminated in an Islander decider with Sophie Piper

Ched Uzor20 of 20
CREDIT: @ ITV Pictures

Ched 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!"

NOW WATCH: 'Always use chewing gum for kissing scenes!' Daisy Ridley takes on the Dark Side vs Light Side quiz

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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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