Treasure Island as Laura Whitmore to earn more than boyfriend Iain
THERE could be trouble in paradise for new Love Island host Laura Whitmore as she is expected to earn several times the pay package of her boyfriend who does the voiceover for the show.
The Bray beauty, 34, this week confirmed she was poised to take over from Caroline Flack, who stood down following her arrest for a domestic assault incident.
Flack was reportedly paid £600,000 (€704,000) to front the new winter series of the hit show.
While Laura is understood have landed a ‘high six-figure’ pay deal for her new role fronting Winter Love Island, the big money comes from product endorsements that come off the back of the series.
Industry sources have said that brands will be ‘lining up with blank cheques’ to snap up Laura.
Laura is preparing to jet out to South Africa in the New Year to host the first ever winter instalment of the ITV reality show. She will be joining her livein boyfriend, Scottish comedian Iain Stirling, 31, in Cape Town, as he provides the voiceover for the show.
Iain, who is also a stand-up comedian and is performing in Vicar Street, Dublin, next May, is understood to be paid about £100,000 (€117,000) per series for doing the voiceover.
Flack, 40, showed support for her friend Laura, writing on Instagram: ‘I’m glad it’s Laura… she loves the show as much as I do.’
Referencing both her friendship with Caroline and the host’s efforts to get her the job, Laura said: ‘To say I’m excited to be heading to Cape Town to host Love Island, the biggest show on television, is an understatement…
‘I want to thank ITV for trusting me at the helm of this huge show. I wish it was in better circumstances; Caroline is a brilliant host and also a friend.’
And speaking about her beau, Laura said: ‘The Love Island team are the best in the business… including the voice and heart of the show, Iain. He thought he was getting a holiday away from me… not a chance!’