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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Jake Hackney

Love Island’s Dami Hope gives verdict on Laura Whitmore exit

Love Island star Dami Hope has given his verdict on host Laura Whitmore’s exit from the popular dating show, after she announced she is stepping down after three series.

26-year-old Dami, who placed third on the latest series of the show with partner Indiyah Polak, said Laura “really held it down” and did a “great job” as host. Laura, 37, has presented Love Island - and its spin-off series Aftersun - since 2020 after the death of the show’s former host Caroline Flack.

She announced her departure on Instagram on Monday, saying there were elements of the show she “found very difficult”. Asked about Laura’s exit, Dami told Cosmopolitan UK: “Genuinely, I actually feel like Laura really held it down.

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“She did a great job. Every time she walked in, all of the boys were like ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Laura Whitmore!’ Even though we’ve seen her like 500 times, we still get excited when we see her.

"She nails it perfectly, and I think she’s been an amazing host. It’s a pity.”

Dami believes Love Island 2022 winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu would be a suitable replacement for Laura because she is a “drama queen”. He also addressed allegations of bullying by himself and Luca Bish towards fellow contestant Tasha Ghouri during the series, saying he was “genuinely apologetic” about his actions.

He said: “Moving forward, I have taken accountability for it, and we’re all in a better place”.

The full interview with Dami is available on the Cosmopolitan UK YouTube channel.

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