Laura Whitmore walked away from quite a lucrative gig when she decided to quit Love Island.
The TV presenter, 37, reportedly secured a fee of half a million pounds to host the last series of the ITV2 show, but has opted to step down as the face of the show after three series at the helm after she initially temporarily took over from the late Caroline Flack in 2020.
Despite reportedly only appearing on screen for just 23 minutes and 40 seconds of this season's 57 episodes of the main show, Laura earned her handsome fee thanks to also presenting Love Island Aftersun every Sunday night in London throughout the duration of the series.
Laura has previously routinely defended herself from critics who have pointed out how little she appeared on the main show and visited the villa - claiming men like her husband Iain Stirling - who works as Love Island's narrator - don't experience the same scrutiny over their work and pay packet.
Last year, during the 2021 series of the ratings-winner - one Love Island fan tweeted host Laura, saying: "When is @thewhitmore going back into the villa? She's literally been in once."
The presenter hit back, swiftly replying: "Hosting live show from London weekly, think you'd enjoy it if you watched! I've got great roaming package for the aul Spanish texts at the mo."
Mum-of-one Laura - who was pictured beaming on her way to theatre rehearsals earlier today [August 23] - shocked fans of the dating show when she announced she had stepped down as host on Monday night.
"Some news! I won’t be hosting the next series of Love Island," Laura began in her statement shared to Instagram.
"There are certain elements of the show I’ve found very difficult that cannot be changed some due to the format, including the flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects."
She added: "I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands. I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into 3 series.
"I hope I did you proud Caroline."
Away from the pressures of jetting back and forth to Spain to present Love Island, it looks like Laura's next venture closer to home is already making her beam with joy.
Pictured on Tuesday morning, as she made rehearsals for the play 2:22 A Ghost Story, Laura appeared to be relaxed and upbeat just hours on from sharing her shock career news with her fans and the public.
The star took to Instagram earlier this month to share her exciting career announcement and one of her "conflicting projects", after she called it quits on her BBC radio presenting career in July.
In an exciting post, Laura told her online fans: "News!!! I'm joining the cast of 2:22 A Ghost Story from September 6th!
"Come see me on stage making my West End debut in this critically-acclaimed psychological thriller."
Laura, who is set to play Jenny in the incredible stage play, has been a long-time fan of the thriller, and admitted that it feels surreal to be a part of the much-talked about West End production.
"I'm so excited to be making my West End debut playing Jenny in the next production of 2:22," she added.
"Theatre has always been my first love and I can't wait to get back on stage. I am a huge fan of the previous productions and delighted to be getting stuck in with rehearsals and working alongside such a hugely talented cast and team."
The presenter-turned-actress follows in the footsteps of singer Lily Allen, who made her West End debut in the same production last year.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033
