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National
Dan Grennan

Maura Higgins tipped to replace Laura Whitmore as Love Island host

Former Love Island contestant Maura Higgins has been tipped as a favourite to become the next host after Laura Whitmore's departure.

Whitmore announced she had quit as the host of the popular ITV reality show on Monday night, and if Maura does succeed Laura, she would be the second Irish host in a row. Maura, who was a star in the 2019 series, is the favourite to replace Laura at 5/1 alongside former Inbetweeners star Emily Atack, who is on the same odds, according to MyBettingSites.

Radio presenter Alice Levine is also popular among punters with odds of 6/1, while Maya Jama is tipped at 7/1. Ekin-Su Culculoglu, who won the latest series of the show, has been backed at 9/1, and 2019 winner Amber Gill is tipped at 10/1.

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The show’s narrator and Laura's husband Iain Stirling, Holly Willoughby, ex Islanders Chris Hughes, Chloe Burrows, and Dani Dyer have all been tipped as potential replacements as well. Laura has fronted the last three seasons of the hit ITV show.

The Bray native had initially taken up the role to fill in for Caroline Flack and then continued to present following her tragic death. In the announcement, which was posted on Instagram, the 37-year-old paid tribute to Caroline who died in February 2020.

Laura Whitmore (Jonathan Hordle/Shutterstock)

Laura added that one of the issues that helped her make the decision was having to fly back and forth to South Africa. She said: "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."

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."

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