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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Joel Leaver

Laura Whitmore makes a dig at Love Island bosses as she explains decision to quit

Laura Whitmore seemed to make a dig at Love Island producers recently, with the former host discussing her motivation for deciding to leave the popular ITV2 show.

The presenter, 37, announced that she would be stepping down as host earlier this year. Laura - who's been replaced by Maya Jama, 28 - had fronted the show since 2020.

She previously said that she had found certain aspects of the hosting role "very difficult". She has now spoken further about working on Love Island and her departure.

Admitting that she struggled remaining impartial, she said: "There was only so much I can do as a host". She added: "I couldn't support [the islanders] or not support them."

Laura Whitmore fronted three series of Love Island, having taken over as host in 2020 (REX/Shutterstock)

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As reported by the Sun, the former host told Psychologies magazine that she hadn't been able to "say anything". Laura further commented that she had to "go quiet".

The presenter - who took over as host from the late Caroline Flack in 2020 - said that was "hard" for her. Laura said that she likes to be able to "have those conversations".

And she suggested that it contributed to her departure. She told the outlet: "If I could [have done] things the way I wanted to, I'd probably still be doing it."

She announced her departure from the role in August this year, following the latest summer edition of the show (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

Laura announced her departure from Love Island in August. She shared the news just weeks after the latest series of the show - which had been her third as its host - concluded.

She issued a statement on social media, in which she revealed that she wouldn't return to host the next series. Laura hinted at her reasons for leaving in the statement.

"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," she wrote at the time.

She's been replaced by Maya Jama (pictured), who appeared in a teaser video this month for the new series (ITV)

ITV said at the time that she'd been a "fantastic host". The broadcaster said it understood and respected her decision, and looked forward to working with her on other projects.

Following the announcement, there was speculation over who would be her replacement. It was confirmed in October that presenter Maya would be the new host.

She is set to front the next series of the show, which will be filmed in South Africa. It's due to launch next month, with Maya appearing in a teaser video for the series this week.

The Mirror approached ITV for comment.

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