Love Island: Laura Whitmore replaces Caroline Flack as presenter for new series

Flack stepped down from hosting the show after being arrested for assault

Laura Whitmore has been announced as the new Love Island presenter after Caroline Flack quit the show following her arrest for assault.

Flack was arrested on Thursday 12 December after an altercation with her boyfriend Lewis Burton at their shared Islington home. Onlookers said there were six police cars present, as well as an ambulance.

Whitmore, who is in a relationship with the reality show’s narrator Iain Stirling, wrote on Instagram: “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. We’ve 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. I’ve 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. I’ve never been to a Love Island villa, and I can’t wait to get in there to meet all the new Islanders looking for love. 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!”

In a statement, ITV confirmed Whitmore would host the sixth series of the show which will launch on 12 January 2020, as well as its spin-off series Aftersun.

“The first series of the year comes from a brand new location and villa in Cape Town,” said the broadcaster, “where a host of new Islanders will try to win the hearts of each other – and the nation – in the ultimate search for love.”

Whitmore hosted ITV2’s original attempt at a winter edition of Love Island called Survival of the Fittest.