Laura Whitmore made her
Love Island presenting debut on Sunday night’s launch show, and fans have already been having their say.
She took over the role from Caroline Flack, who hosted the first five series of the hit ITV2 reality show but stepped down ahead of the first ever winter run, following her arrest and subsequent charge with assault.
During the episode, viewers had a lot to say as Laura entered the brand new villa in
South Africa for the first time.And for the most part, her chirpy presenting style seems to have gone down well with long-time fans of the show…And it’s as if @thewhitmore has always been at the #LoveIsland helm— David Farrell (@DavidJ_Farrell) January 12, 2020I’m loving @thewhitmore already tbh... #LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/5R2tQ7JwfZ— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) January 12, 2020I know it’s been 20 seconds but I’m massively obsessed with Laura Whitmore already #loveisland— Rishma Dosani (@Rishma_Dosani) January 12, 2020Loving @thewhitmore presenting @LoveIsland perfect presenter for it. So natural, confident and genuinely happy to be there. Canni wait for rest of series now. https://t.co/k5IS8nvxgj— LJStewart ⚫ (@LornaJStewart) January 12, 2020She had big shoes to fill but @thewhitmore is totally smashing it she also nailed the slow mo strut and she looks incredible #loveisland— Samantha Essex (@towiessex1984) January 12, 2020@thewhitmore brilliant fresh host to #LoveIsland thankyou thankyou thankyou— Clare Boyle (@lupanast1973) January 12, 2020I think @thewhitmore is a breath of fresh air on #LoveIsland 😍🥰— lauren walsh (@LWalshMusic) January 12, 2020@thewhitmore great job tonight! 👏🏽 #LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/26AcG8CeUq— Amy • Allanna (@AmyAllanna) January 12, 2020Wasn’t sure what to make of winter #LoveIsland but it actually felt rather refreshing🌴new host in @thewhitmore who is fantastic as expected👏new location🇿🇦new villa🏡although the format is the same, overall vibe feels different in a good way😌slightly more diverse islanders too— Alice Pennington (@AliceP104) January 13, 2020It was a hard gig, but @thewhitmore you smashed it, seamless and so naturally done! 👌🏽— markystweet (@Markystweet) January 13, 2020@thewhitmore you nailed it! Loving the first episode and feeling this season so much already! Yes girl! ❤️💚💙💜— Sarah (@sarahsimpson92) January 12, 2020However, change isn’t always an easy thing, and of course there were others who admitted they weren’t fully adjusted to having Laura at the helm of the show…Am I the only one who thinks it’s weird watching @LoveIsland without @carolineflack1 in it?— Brandon Ley (@BrandonLeyXx) January 12, 2020Not sure if I'm liking Laura Whitmore 😬 #LoveIsland— Clare Palmer (@clarep1987) January 12, 2020@LoveIsland not so sure just yet 🤔 but definitely missing @carolineflack1#bringbacktheflack#LoveIslandUK just doesn’t feel the same 😏— 𝓐𝓭𝓮𝓵𝓮 (@mrsAdeleScott) January 12, 2020Ah not gonna lie I love Laura Whitmore but it’ll take some getting used to #LoveIsland— dont cough near me I am poor (@heylaurahey_) January 12, 2020As if love island without Caroline flack isn’t weird enough... watching it in January just feels odd #LoveIsland— Natalie 🦄 (@natnatz89) January 12, 2020It feels so weird without caroline flack and her walk into the villa 😬 #LoveIsland— Rai 🥀 (@rfqxox) January 12, 2020I miss Caroline Flack but we are giving Laura Whitmore a chance. #LoveIslandUK— Banke (@bankeey) January 13, 2020Meanwhile, Maya Jama – who had been heavily tipped to succeed Caroline Flack in the presenting job – was also still on a lot of people’s minds…Yeah true say they should have let @MayaJama present love island, imagine that energy !?!?😍😍 #LoveIsland— kelc shand (@kelceyshand1) January 12, 2020I still feel like @MayaJama should be hosting #LoveIsland— Lands (@Just_Lands) January 12, 2020Still think @MayaJama should have had the job #LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/yfJzQoc6EU— M (@its_minnie3) January 12, 2020Maya Jama as the love island presenter >>>— stay lit (@ayledgend) January 13, 2020here’s where the new #LoveIsland has gone wrong: not hiring Maya Jama as presenter, not having it in the alps all cosy in a log cabin, recruiting Lewis Capaldi’s ex— 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬 🌹 (@alexadionef) January 12, 2020Why is @MayaJama not hosting this series?! Imagine the STRUT!!! #LoveIsland— B. (@B__Rani) January 12, 2020Absolute madness they didn't hire Maya Jama #LoveIsland— I have a squeaky wheel (@wokestofscrolls) January 12, 2020Last week, ITV2’s commissioning editor Amanda Stavri made it clear that Caroline could potentially return for a future Love Island, with two series set to air in 2020.
She said: “We are continuing to talk to Caroline. We are in constant contact and the door is open.”
Laura Whitmore also recently revealed she received a text from Caroline shortly after she stepped down from the show, saying she hoped that she would land the job in her absence.
“When Caroline stepped down she actually sent me a text message saying, ’I really hope you get to do this series,” she told The Mirror.
She also revealed that she had to ask for her mum’s permission to meet with ITV2, as she was supposed to be flying home to
Ireland for her birthday.
Love Island airs every night on ITV2.READ MORE: 19 Things You Won't Already Know About This Year's Love Island Contestants The Secrets Of Love Island's Spectacular South Africa Villa Revealed With 44 Behind-The-Scenes Facts The Most Controversial Moments On Love Island