‘Iain and I bicker about silly things’
Love Island’s Laura Whitmore chats body confidence, lockdown habits and her boyfriend Iain’s surprising romantic side
If there’s anyone giving us major couple goals right now, it’s Laura Whitmore and her funnyman boyfriend Iain Stirling. The pair kept us constantly entertained through lockdown with their awesome and hilarious TikTok videos, and rumours have been swirling that the couple have secretly got engaged.
Laura, 35, whose latest project is a new confidence-boosting podcast called The Locker, reveals that they managed to get through lockdown fairly unscathed – by making sure they spent plenty of time apart!
We caught up with the Love Island host, who took on the role after the sad passing of her pal Caroline Flack, to talk about lockdown, her surprising insecurities and how Iain, 32, shocked her with some dance classes…
Hey Laura! How was lockdown?
Initially, I loved it. I really needed to ‘reset’ as I’m normally on the go and never fully in the present. So it was time to reflect on what makes me happy. I did all the clichéd things, made espresso martinis and sourdough bread. I was really healthy at first, then thought ‘screw this’ and drank wine.
Did being with Iain 24/7 drive you crazy?
We were pleasantly surprised as this is the longest I’ve ever been at home. Normally, I’d be at a festival and Iain has spent every summer for the last five years in Majorca. We bicker about what we’re going to have for dinner, whether it’s takeaway night, silly little things. We ate breakfast and lunch together but also had time apart, watching different box sets, and even walking the dog separately, which was a good plan, and he plays a lot of computer games.
Do you attract attention when you’re out together?
Iain’s voice is so distinctive, I tell him to shut up. Sometimes he puts on accents – he can do a good Liverpudlian one. Often people just smile or give a thumbs-up, which is lovely.
Is he a romantic?
Iain can be very sweet. When I was in Strictly I injured my foot and never got to do the jive, so he’s bought us lessons so we can learn it together and whip it out at someone else’s wedding. I think he’ll be all right. He’s got rhythm, you know, that’s all I need to say!
Have you fully recovered now?
‘Iain’s voice is so distinctive – I tell him to shutupwhen we’re out’
I had to get cortisol injections and couldn’t wear heels for six months. I still have to be careful and wear straps when I go running.
Do you do a lot of exercise?
I have no routine. I’m not a gym bunny – I find those machines intimidating. I’ve tried all the fads like barre and Zumba but the one thing I stick with is running because it feels on my terms and it gives me a rush. But I’ve learnt that if you run a half-marathon in the morning, and go to the BAFTAs in the evening, you get drunk quickly.
Does Love Island make you image-obsessed?
Before I worked on the show, I prejudged a lot of the women for how they looked, but I would love the confidence those girls have. When I walk into the villa I’m fully dressed with my hair and make-up done. These girls are just in their bikinis, like, ‘Yeah, whatever.’ I wish I was more like that. I don’t think we should knock them for being confident. I feel most sorry for the guys. They’re under more pressure and are always working out while the girls are chatting by the pool.
How body confident are you?
I’ve got skinny legs but an arse and hips.
I spent all my younger teenage years wanting to be bigger. I was always the smallest in the class, the weakling. Until I was 16 I was 5ft 1in, and then I shot up to 5ft 8in and was taller than some of the guys. I’m tough on myself. If I try on a dress, I can think, ‘You look frumpy, your bum is too big.’ In our heads we say terrible things that no one else would say, but this is the body I have for life and I need to be kind to it and silence my inner critic.
What would you advise others struggling with self-confidence?
It’s all very well me telling people to be confident, but they look at me and say, ‘She’s skinny, what does she have to worry about?’ People worry about being too pale, too hairy, too short. No matter who you are you’ll have a hang-up. The more we see different body types out there the better. We are all unique.
What’s the worst thing you’ve read about yourself on social media?
I’ve had everything, from being too fat or too thin to people saying I’d had my jaw shaved and my nose is too small. If I didn’t have a complex about my face before, then I do now! But I’ve built up a resistance.You can always take a break, delete or mute people.
Announcing the winners of Love Island 2020, Paige Turley and Finley Tapp
Was taking on Love Island
scary? Especially as I was a fan of it myself, I didn’t want to screw it up. I still struggle with confidence and ‘imposter syndrome’. I came from a small town in Ireland and none of my family worked in TV. I won a competition to be an MTV presenter when I was working as an intern. I went from making tea to flying to LA to interview Coldplay. I felt so out of my depth. Every now and then you look around and think, ‘How the hell am I here? What authority do I have?’
It’s an Irish thing, I can’t take a compliment. Someone says something nice to me and I go, ‘Ah Jeezus, no.’ I need to learn to say, ‘Thank you.’ But that’s not how I was brought up. You worry people will think you’re full of yourself.
‘I’ve got skinny legs – but an arse and hips’
I am very loyal. Friends can tell me their secrets. I’m hard-working and I’m open-minded. But Iain would say I’m impatient. If I send an email I expect an immediate response.
Tune in to the British Army’s new podcast, to find out how to achieve long-lasting confidence. Available from Monday at thelocker. online and major podcast providers
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