Laura Whitmore is the favourite to take over as the new presenter of Love Island after Caroline Flack announced that she was stepping down from the upcoming series.
But it looks to be a battle of the Irish TV babes, as Love Island favourite Maura Higgins has also been tipped as a leading contender to takeover the huge gig.
The ‘devasted’ TV host made her decision after she was charged last week with assault after an alleged row with her boyfriend.
Before Flack’s announcement, Maura Higgins, 29, had been the 4/1 favourite with BoyleSports to be the next presenter of the popular reality TV show.
However, her odds have now been pushed out to 12/1 after boyfriend Curtis Pritchard took to the radio airwaves on Tuesday to quash rumours that the Longford beauty was in South Africa to audition for the role.
Instead it’s Bray-born Laura Whitmore, 34, who leads the race as she quickly closed into 11/8 from 5/1 with BoyleSports within hours of Caroline Flack’s exit.
The former MTV presenter already has a Love Island link in her favour as boyfriend Iain Stirling narrates the show.
Radio and TV presenter Maya Jama is another lively contender at 11/4, with Emily Atack (7/1), Emma Willis (10/1) and Holly Willoughby (16/1) amongst the other star names in the running to land the coveted presenting role.
Lawrence Lyons, Spokesperson for BoyleSports said: “Maura Higgins was the lead contender before Caroline Flack’s announcement, but that money has dried up in the last couple of hours with Curtis Pritchard insisting that it’s not going to happen.
“As a result we have to make Laura Whitmore the new frontrunner and with links to the show already, she looks well positioned to land the gig.”
Ladbrokes said their punters are also putting their money blonde beauty Laura with Maura Higgins at 12/1 and Laura Whitmore half her odds at 6/1.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “With Maura likely to focus on Dancing On I’ve, we reckon Laura could be heading to South Africa.”
Boylesports latest odds
Next Love Island Presenter
11/8 Laura Whitmore
11/4 Maya Jama
3/1 Arielle Vandenberg
7/1 Emily Atack
10/1 Emma Willis
11/1 Sophie Monk
12/1 Maura Higgins
16/1 Holly Willoughby
50/1 Gemma Collins
66/1 Davina McCall
