Laura Whitmore has been pictured in rehearsal for her West End debut after announcing her departure from Love Island.
The Irish TV presenter, who is joining the cast of supernatural thriller 2:22 – A Ghost Story, appears concentrated as she plays out scenes alongside her co-stars. Busted singer Matt Willis, Archers actor Felix Scott and Australian actress Tamsin Carroll will also appear in the fourth edition of the play, which will run from September 6 to January 8 at the Criterion Theatre in London.
Other images show the cast huddled together on a sofa surrounded by domestic items including wine bottles and a teddy bear. Written by Danny Robins and directed by Matthew Dunster, the show follows Jenny (Whitmore), who believes her new home is haunted, while her husband Sam (Scott) is not having any of it.
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The couple argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren (Carroll) and her new partner Ben (Willis), as belief and scepticism clash. It comes after Whitmore announced she was quitting Love Island, which she has presented since 2020 after the death of the show’s former host Caroline Flack.
Whitmore became a staple on the hit ITV dating show alongside her husband Iain Stirling, who has provided the programme’s witty narration since 2015. She also recently revealed she was leaving her BBC Radio 5 Live show after four years.
2:22 – A Ghost Story will stay at the Criterion Theatre for its fourth season after it moved there for its third edition. Its previous run at the Noel Coward and Gielgud theatres secured three Olivier nominations, including best new play.
Whitmore, 37, took over hosting duties on the first winter edition of Love Island from Caroline Flack in January 2020. Sharing the news of her decision to leave the popular ITV2 dating show, which will return to Cape Town for a second winter series next year, Laura cited 'flying back and forth' between the UK and South Africa and 'new conflicting projects.'
And she shared a sweet message to her friend Caroline, who tragically took her own life in February 2020 aged 40. "Some news!" she declared. "I won’t be hosting the next series of Love island.
"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 continued: "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."
Laura said at the time about becoming host of the popular show's first ever winter series that Caroline, after stepping down as presenter, had supported her in the role. "She has been very kind to me and strongly pushed me for this role," she said. "I’ve watched her host every series and know I have big boots to fill. I will try and do it justice."
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