ITV have been forced to address rumours that Laura Whitmore could be replaced as the host of Love Island after reports claimed they were considering a number of new faces for the role.
The Irish TV presenter, who is married to voiceover funnyman Iain Stirling, has hosted the past two seasons of the ITV2 dating show following the tragic death of its original host Caroline Flack last year, but it was reported that the show will be given a “fresh” revamp before it returns to our screens next year – including a new presenter.
According to a TV insider, both Maya Jama and 2019 Islander Maura Higgins were being considered as Laura’s replacement.
They explained, “Producers are keen to keep the show fresh and are keeping their options open. They have been impressed with both Maya and Maura, and think either could bring the necessary pizzazz and sexiness to the role.
“They want some-one who is fun and can connect with people. Maura has obviously taken part in the show herself and knows it inside out so could easily relate to contestants and what they are going through.”
CHECK OUT Love Island stars who were friends BEFORE the show 😱
Love Island stars who were friends before going on the show - slider
1 of 10Amber Gill and Ellie Brown
It turns out Amber and Ellie were pals before Love Island 2019. In fact, Anna Vakili described Ellie as Amber's former "best friend". However things turned sour when Ellie started dating Amber's ex Michael Griffiths...
2 of 10Chuggs and Hugo Williams
When it was announced that Chuggs was heading into the villa, Hugo was quick to reveal that they actually know each other. Turns out they're friends after going to Oxford Brooks university together.
3 of 10Georgia Steel and Amber Davies
Okay so technically they were not friends but after Georgia spotted Amber on a night out, she asked the Love Island 2017 star for some advice."I saw her in a bar and she said to me, 'Can you put me forward?' I said, 'Yeah, that's fine, I'll do it.'"Her mum just said to me it was actually me, then I put two and two together," Amber explained on Lorraine.She added, "It was perfect. I'm a little scout. ITV need to give me a job."
4 of 10Wes Nelson and Aaron Francis
Again, Wes and Aaron were not pals before the latter stepped into the villa in 2021 BUT they did know each other... kind of. Wes did an Instagram competition where he gave one of his followers a PS5 and it turns out it was Aaron.
5 of 10Alexandra Cane and Megan Barton Hanson
During the Love Island 2018 series, contestants were left shocked when it came to light that Alexandra and Megan had KISSED before going on the show... Turns out, they starred in a music video together and that's why they kissed.
6 of 10Adam Collard and Ellie Brown
When Ellie (alongside Zara McDermott) arrived in the villa as a bombshell, Adam revealed that he already knew her. Turns out, Adam dated one of Ellie's friends outside the villa and dumped her.
7 of 10Lucie Donlan and Arabella Chi
During Love Island 2019 it came to light that Lucie and Arabella kind of knew each other before going into the villabecause they were talking to the same guy... Love Island 2018 star Charlie Frederick. However their awkward past didn't stop them from being friends in the villa.
8 of 10Molly-Mae Hague and Kendall Rae Knight
It's well known that Molly-Mae was an influencer before her time on Love Island and it turns out she went on a press trip with Kendall just a few months before going into the villa.
9 of 10Anna Vakili and Sherif Lanre
They may not have been friends before meeting in the villa but Sherif revealed that he actually slid into Anna's Instagram DMs before going on the show.
10 of 10Maura Higgins and Curtis Pritchard
They were the 2019 couple no one saw coming but after Maura and Curtis went official with their romance, there wereclaims that they'd known each other for YEARS. It all came about after a Dancing With The Stars pro claimed they'd 'cast eyes' at each other backstage years before, back when Curtis was on the show as a professional dancer and Maura visited the set a few times. Hmm.
The source added to The Sun, “It’s one of the best gigs in showbiz, with a plum six-figure salary and frequent trips to sunny Majorca, so there are plenty of people hungry for the role. Contracts for the job are annual and are renegotiated each series.”
Reports also suggested that Arielle Free, who hosts the official Love Island podcast with 2017 winner Kem Cetinay, could be lined up to host weekly spin-off show Aftersun should Laura be replaced.
However, an ITV spokesperson said, “This is not true. Laura has done a fantastic job at the helm of the show this year and no discussions have yet taken place with regard to the next series.”
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We’ll see Laura on our screens very soon as she’s confirmed she’ll be hosting a LIVE Love Island 2021 reunion later this week, almost two weeks after Millie Court and Liam Reardon were crowned the winners of series seven.
Taking to Instagram, Laura announced, “NEWS! Want some more?! Missing your daily islander intake and wondering what they’ve been up to?! I’m here to help! 🙏🏻.
“One week until we’re back LIVE with a very special extended show @loveisland The Reunion Sunday September 5th 9pm @itv2 😍 oh I’ve missed watching them and it hasn’t even been a week 😂.”
Bring on the drama, tbh.