Laura Whitmore
New Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore on joining her boyfriend’s show in Cape Town and why she’s such a good matchmaker
She was drafted in to host our favourite dating show at the last minute, but Laura Whitmore is more than up for the challenge of fronting the brand new series of Love Island.
Laura, 34, says she is “so excited” to be at the helm of the show’s first ever winter edition. Better still, she’ll be working alongside comedian boyfriend Iain Stirling, 31, who returns to deliver all the best punchlines as Love Island’s
iconic voiceover man.
The Irish TV presenter got the gig when original host Caroline Flack stepped down after being charged with assault by beating following a late-night row with boyfriend Lewis Burton at her north
London home.
Caroline has since given Laura’s appointment her seal of approval, saying, “I’m glad it’s Laura. She loves the show as much as I do.”
Meanwhile, Laura is ready to soak up some winter sunshine while filming the series in Cape Town, South Africa.
“I’ve seen pictures and the villa looks huge! It looks incredible,” she says of the swanky new base. “I’ve never been to a Love Island villa before either, so I’m very excited to get in the door and see what’s going on.”
Here, the star reveals she is a secret matchmaker, reminisces about some of her favourite
Love Island moments and opens up about getting the chance to work with her fella…
Welcome to Love Island, Laura! How do you feel about coming on board?
I’m super excited – it’s the biggest and best TV show. Normally I’m sitting on my sofa watching it, which I’ll still be doing when I’m not out in South Africa, but I’m so glad to be a part of it too. I can’t wait to work with the team and in a different location this year, which will bring a brand new side of things. I can’t wait to meet the Islanders too!
There will be two series of
Love Island in 2020. What do you think is the secret of the show’s success?
It comes down to the human side of it. The show is relatable and people are interested in people and relationships. My friends watch, my mum watches it – she’s a fan of the show as are my aunties – so it really connects with so many different people and different generations. It all comes down to the similarities we have and that we all feel the same things, especially in relationships. Even though it might seem more dramatic in the villa at times, it’s still relationships and everyone can find a connection to that.
We can all relate…
From my experience and from talking to my mum, my aunties and friends, Love Island is at the heart of the country. It’s what unites people. There’s so much pessimism in the world and we are bombarded with negative things, especially in the wintertime when it’s dark and cold.
It’s nice to have an entertainment show that’s positive and where we can watch these relationships progress.
What are your stand-out memories from the show?
Sometimes, it’s the relationships that you don’t expect that can become your favourite, like Chris
Hughes and Kem
Cetinay’s bromance, which will always be special. When Amy
Hart left the villa last year, it was such a big moment. I was actually in Majorca on holiday and I bumped into her at the airport on her way home. I remember seeing her and giving her a hug and telling her, “You did so great in there!” To be able to walk away from her situation with Curtis Pritchard, I thought she was very brave in what she did and she was very real. She showed vulnerability is OK and a good thing.
Do you know any of the Islanders outside of the show?
I’ve met quite a few of the Islanders from previous series – Iain is close to Alex and Olivia Bowen and went to their wedding. I always joke with
Laura Anderson that I stole her ‘Laura’ water bottle, which was a back-up in Majorca that Iain got me. I think it was hers – but I have it now!
The Islanders are all heading to the villa to find love. What advice would you give them?
You might not always end up with the person you thought you would, that would be my tip – be open. It’s such a great experience, there are friendships that are made for life there, as well as relationships. There are Islanders now who are married and have kids, which is just incredible. I hope the Islanders who do the show have a great and positive experience and find love in all of its forms.
What will it be like working with Iain on the same show?
Well, I couldn’t possibly let him go out there and have fun without me! It will be nice. I’ve always said it, he’s one of the best things about the show. As the voiceover, he’s the heart of it and is saying the things that people at home are thinking, but in a funnier way. He’s brilliant. The show is the way it is because of him and I feel lucky to now be a part of it.
Are you a good matchmaker in real life?
I am! I worked with my best girl friend Alex on a show in 2012 around the Olympics called Beat TV on ITV2. I was the host for the UK show, she was the host from Switzerland and she used to do links in our studio. Once we had drinks and I brought my best guy friend Greg, and they met there. It took a few years, but now they’re engaged with a baby who is my godchild. That baby is my work!
Did you make any new year’s resolutions?
The start of the year changed a lot to what I thought it was going to be. It’s a tough world and there can be such negativity, so I think it’s important to be positive – that’s something I try to do all the time. I want to travel more and I’m off to a good start with Cape Town. Maybe I should matchmake a bit more too, because I’m good at that…