As well as meeting a brand new batch of islanders on tonight's Love Island, we'll also get our first taste of Laura Whitmore as the show's present. ITV officially confirmed that Laura Whitmore is replacing Caroline Flack for Winter Love Island.
And now, Caroline has broken her social media silence to wish her friend good luck. Taking to Instagram stories, she wrote: "Massive good luck to Laura, Iain and the team for tonights launch show... the first one always the best one. Caroline x"
Lauraās appointment came after a tumultuous week which saw Caroline Flack step down from the presenting role after being charged with assault following a row with boyfriend Lewis Burton at home.
āWhile matters were not as have been reported I am committed to co-operating with the appropriate authorities and I can't comment further on these matters until the legal process is over,ā she wrote. āHowever Love Island has been my world for the last five years, it's the best show on telly. In order not to detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is stand down from Series 6.ā
Laura is now in South Africa with her long-term boyfriend and Love Islandās resident voiceover, Iain Stirling. Together they will host Aftersun, the showās follow up programme that discusses the past weekās antics in the villa. This would be the first time a couple have presented the programme together.
X content
The news came as little surprise after the Irish TV presenter and broadcaster, best known for her stints on Iām A Celebrity....Get Me Out Of Here! NOW! and MTV Europe, has been the front runner to be replacing Caroline after reports of a secret meeting with ITV surfaced. Reports suggested that the channel were keen to keep it in the family.
On her appointment, the presenter said in a statement, āTo say Iām 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. Weāve spoken a lot in the last few days since she stepped down. She has been very kind to me and strongly pushed me for this role. Iāve watched her host every series and know I have big boots to fill. I will try and do it justice.
Above all, I am a massive fan of this show. Iāve never been to a Love Island villa, and I canāt wait to get in there to meet all the new Islanders looking for love. The Love Island team are the best in the businessā¦ including the voice and heart of the show, Iain. He thought he was getting a holiday away from meā¦ not a chance!ā
It is also yet to be confirmed whether Caroline will return for the next series, which will presumably happen in its regular summertime slot.
If the upcoming series is anywhere near as dramatic as the past few weeks, it looks like weāre in for a treat (and a flagging social life)...
