Love Island fans have been left divided after Laura Whitmore quit her job as the presenter of the ITV2 show.
The Irish TV star announced on Monday (August 22) that she was walking away from the villa after hosting the series for three years.
Laura, 37, had taken over the hosting job from her late pal Caroline Flack in 2020, who tragically died from suicide earlier that year.
READ MORE: Love Island’s Laura Whitmore says fixation on her ‘unfair, exhausting and mental’
The presenter revealed she had decided to leave as she found parts of her job “very difficult”.
(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
She admitted she struggled with “certain elements” of the show’s format that couldn’t be changed, such as having to fly to South Africa to shoot the show.
Fans of the hit dating show have been very public about her departure on Twitter, with some thrilled to see Laura leave and others gutted by the news.
One fan wrote: “LAURA WHITMORE HAS FINALLY QUIT LOVE ISLAND!!! We thank God”.
A second agreed: “Laura Whitmore quitting island is the best news we’ve had all summer.”
(Image: Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
A third commented: “Laura whitmore gone? Whoop”
However, others were sad to see Laura go and praised the ex presenter for doing a good job.
One fan said: “Sad to see Laura Whitmore not presenting the next series of love island. she was a great host”
Another wrote: “Laura Whitmore served the show well in a time that was filled with controversy and a job that was regarded as the poisoned chalice.”
A third was upset at Laura’s exit, but seemed to want Celeb Juice panelist Maya Jama to take on the job.
(Image: Getty Images)
They tweeted: “Don’t get me wrong, I’m so sad Laura Whitmore has left BUT the next presenter of Love Island NEEDS to be Maya Jama”
Tons of fans flocked to Twitter to beg bosses to sign Maya Jama as the next host.
A second agreed: “Maya Jama for #LoveIsland replacement please @itv2”
Other popular choices included 2018 islander Maura Higgins and Ekin-Su, who was crowned champ this year alongside her beau Davide.
(Image: PA)
Announcing the news of her exit, Laura told Instagram: “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.”
(Image: PA)
Laura concluded her post with a sweet message addressed to her late pal Caroline, who tragically died from suicide back in February 2020.
She added: “I hope I did you proud Caroline.”
The star, who is married to Love Island narrator Iain Stirling, took on Caroline’s job in January 2020 and went on to host the seventh and eighth series of the show.
Laura also hosted Love Island: Aftersun, the spin-off which aired after the main programme on Sundays.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
