Laura Whitmore was back on hosting duties for the Love Island live final on Sunday night, her first in her new TV role.
Laura took over after late former host Caroline Flack announced she was stepping down in December Taking to Instagram, Caroline posted " Love Island has been my world for the last five years, it’s the best show on telly. In order to not detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is to stand down for series six.
"I want to wish the incredible team working on the show a fantastic series in Cape Town."
Bookies favourite to land the coveted presenting gig was Maya Jama, with Rochelle Humes and even Gemma Collins linked with it, but in the end show bosses went with Laura to front Love Island's first ever winter run.
A TV source told The Sun : “Laura ticks all the boxes TV bosses and with just three weeks to go until shooting starts, they haven’t got a lot of wriggle room."
"Laura is a safe pair of hands and is one of the few presenters out there who has the necessary experience required for this gig."
“She’s a pro at live TV having worked on I'm A Celeb and X Factor spin-offs and they can’t risk using someone who is green on one of their most money-spinning franchises."
Who is Laura Whitmore?
Laura Whitmore is an Irish broadcaster and actress based in London, who has worked as the face of MTV Europe and hosted a number of different TV show including I'm A Celebrity and Brit Award spin-off shows.
Laura, 34, was also a contestant on the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Coincidentally, her current boyfriend is Love Island voiceover guy and stand up comedian Iain Stirling.
