Image copyrightPA MediaImage caption Laura Whitmore took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2016
Laura Whitmore is to step in as host of ITV2’s winter edition of Love Island after Caroline Flack stood down after being charged with assault.
The broadcaster will front the present when the contestants move into a new villa in South africans in January.
She previously replaced Flack as host of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here’s ITV2 spin-off in 2011, and has a weekly show on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Flack was charged after police were called to an incident on 12 December.
Paul Mortimer, head of ITV’s digital channels and acquisitions, said: “I’m delighted that Laura is able to step in this winter on ITV2’s biggest show.
“She is the best person for the job and is a popular and experienced presenter of live television. Whilst Caroline is away, we know that Love Island is in accordance with very safe hands.”
Image copyrightGetty ImagesImage caption Flack had hosted Love Island since it returned to screens in 2015
Whitmore said she was “excited” to step into the role but wished her possibility had come under “better circumstances”.
“Caroline is a brilliant host and also a friend, ” she said in a statement. “We’ve spoken a lot in the last few days since she stepped down. She has been very kind to me and strongly pushed me for this role. I’ve watched her host every series and know I have big boots to fill. I will try and do it justice.”
She added: “Above all, I am a massive fan of this indicate. I’ve never been to a Love Island villa, and I can’t wait to get in there to meet all the new Islanders looking for love. The Love Island squad are the best in the business … including the voice and heart of the indicate, Iain. He thought he was getting a holiday away from me … not a chance! “
The incoming Love Island host is guaranteed to be greeted in South africans by one familiar face at least, in accordance with the arrangements of boyfriend and Scottish comedian Iain Sterling – who does the voiceovers on the reveal.
He greeted the proclamation of her arrival by joking: “I wonder if she’s single…”
Image copyrightCaroline Flack/ InstagramImage caption Caroline Flack has given her approval online over the decision to replace her with Laura Whitmore
Flack gave her acceptance to the decision to appoint Whitmore too, via her Instagram story on Friday.
“She loves the reveal as much as I do, ” she noted.
Court date
Flack was charged with assault by beating following an incident at her Islington home in north London.
Police were called to her house, where she lives with her partner, tennis player Lewis Burton, at 05:25 GMT last week.
Officers attended after reports of a human being assaulted. The man was not seriously injured, police said.
The 40 -year-old will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on 23 December.
“While matters were not as have been reported, I am committed to working with the institutions and I can’t commentary further on these matters until the legal process is over.”
She added: “In order not to detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is stand down for series six. I want to wish the incredible team working on the demonstrate a fantastic series in Cape Town.”
ITV announced the winter spin-off in July following the show’s success over the past five summertimes. The company said the 2019 series reached more than six million viewers and was the most-watched programme of the year at the time among adults aged between 16 and 34.
Who is Laura Whitmore?
Image copyrightGetty Images
In November, Whitmore took up her new role as a BBC Radio 5 Live broadcaster, as part of the station’s shake-up to their weekend line-up, which also ensure Scott Mills join.
The 34 -year-old had previously filled in on occasion and said at the time she was “thrilled” to return on a permanent basis with “big name guests from the worlds of politics, music and showbiz”.
The Bray-born star studied at Dublin City University and made her breakthrough as a TV presenter with MTV Ireland from 2008 onwards.
She hosted I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! NOW; a companion series to the popular ITV reality show from 2011 -2 015, before appearing as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.
Unlike Flack, who won the competition in 2014, Whitmore was voted off the display following a dance-off with eventual winner Ore Oduba.
Whitmore has also ran as a model and as a co-commentator for BBC Three on the Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals in 2014.
Image copyright PA Media Image caption Laura Whitmore took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Flack had hosted Love Island since it returned to screens in 2015 Image Copyright iaindoesjokes
