Love Island fans have speculated who could be the next host of the hit ITV2 dating show after Laura Whitmore made the shock announcement she has quit after three years.
The Irish presenter took to Instagram on Monday evening to share the news with fans, saying she had decided to step back from the role she initially only intended to do for a year.
She wrote on Instagram : "Some news! 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.
"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."
Love Island fans have since taken to Twitter to guess at who could be the next host on the dating show, with many guessing the 2022 series winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu could take over.
One fan wrote: “Ekin Su it’s your time baby,” as another chimed: “Who’s starting the petition to have Ekin-Su replace the Whitmore!”
A third wrote: “EKIN-SU… IT’S YOUR TIME!” another added: “Laura Whitmore has quit Love Island. Ekin-who? EKIN-SU 2023.”
Another name in the mix was fellow Love Island alum Maura Higgins as well as radio DJ Maya Jama, as one fan wrote: “I’m sorry but get Maya Jama or Ekin Su in there we need a new host,” as another echoed: “Enter Ekin-Su, Maya Jama, or Maura Higgins.”
“Now it gets interesting Maya Jama has been heavily linked to Big Brother but she’s also denied it she would also be a great fit for Love Island,” one fan wrote as another tweeted: “Let’s just give the Love Island job to Maya Jama straight off… She’s perfect for it.”
Another added: “Be very happy to see a shake up and also a lot with the show itself! Better challenges, no more them having morning chats, the set up chats! Bring in Maura Higgins or Ekin-Su to host the show!”
Love Island fans speculated AJ Odudu could be another presenter in the running for the gig, with one reality TV fan writing: “AJ Odudu for next Love Island host please.”
One fan added: “Lets go Ekin Su, AJ Odudu or Maya Jama.”
Following Laura’s announcement that she had decided to quit the show, ITV said in a statement: "Laura has been a fantastic host across the last three series of the show.
"We are so grateful for everything she has brought to the programme but understand and respect her decision, and we look forward to working with her on upcoming ITV projects."
