Laura Whitmore hits back over '10-minute' stints of air time on LI

‘Do you have any idea how many hours that takes to film?!’ Laura Whitmore hits back at criticism over her short ’10-minute’ stints of air time on Love Island – after quitting show

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Laura Whitmore has hit back at criticism over her short ’10-minute’ stints of air time on Love Island – after quitting show last month.

The TV presenter, 37, spoke out about her ‘frustration’ in a new interview, fuming: ‘Do you have any idea how many hours that takes to film’ – in reference to her brief pre-recorded appearances.

She made the shock announcement that she had quit her presenting role on Love Island last month and has since blamed the ‘parameters of the show’ for her decision to leave.

Having her say: Laura Whitmore has hit back at criticism over her short ’10-minute’ stints of air time on Love Island – after quitting show last month

Speaking to the Independent on Saturday she said: ‘I just felt like there was only so much that you can do in a show like that.

‘And also the frustration, I guess, when someone’s like, ‘Oh, you do 10 minutes on a show’ and I’m like, ‘Do you have any idea how many hours that takes (to film)?!’

‘I think now with twice a year, it kind of will take up your whole life. Your whole life to watch it. Can you imagine working on it!’

Candid: The TV presenter, 37, spoke out about her ‘frustration’ in a new interview, fuming: ‘Do you have any idea how many hours that takes to film’ – in reference to her brief pre-recorded appearances

She also opened up about the criticism she has received on the show, saying: ‘The more successful you are, you get it more’.

It comes after last week Laura made a dig at the programme blaming the ‘parameters of the show’ for her decision to leave.

The star added that she didn’t like how you couldn’t ‘talk about certain things’ with the role that she had on the ITV dating series. 

She told The Evening Standard: ‘Love Island is a show that I love to watch, and I always want to work on shows that I enjoy. 

Tough: She also opened up about the criticism she has received on the show, saying: ‘The more successful you are, you get it more’ 

‘But there’s nothing more that I can do with it. There are parameters.

‘When you work on the show, you can’t really talk about certain things. But I’m really proud of what I did, and proud to leave on what I think has been a brilliant series, with great winners.’

Laura shocked fans when she announced she’d be stepping down as host.

In her statement, Laura said she was only planning to fill in for Caroline Flack for one series, emotionally saying that she hope she did her late friend ‘proud’.

Leaving: Last month the star took to her Instagram to confirm that she would be leaving the show, saying she has found flying back and forth from the villa ‘very difficult’

The TV presenter’s stint on the ITV2 dating show received mixed reviews this season; some viewers praised her handling of sensitive topics, while others criticised her for ‘encouraging slut-shaming’ in a segment which sparked 427 Ofcom complaints. 

Taking to Instagram, Laura 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.  

‘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.’

Speaking of Laura’s exit, an ITV spokesperson said: ‘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.’

Tribute: Laura said she was only planning to fill in for former host Caroline Flack – who took her own life in February 2020 – for one series, saying she hope she did her late friend ‘proud’

ITV have not announced who will be replacing Laura as the show’s host for the upcoming winter series of Love Island at the start of 2023. 

Laura – who shares daughter Stevie Ré with Love Island narrator husband Iain Stirling – took over as Love Island host for the 2020 winter series in South Africa.

She has since hosted series seven and eight of the ITV2 dating show, with the latest series seeing Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti crowned as winners last month. 

The presenter previously hosted I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! NOW! for five series starting in 2011 while she was also a Eurovision commentator in 2014.

Laura also competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, but was the fifth celebrity to be voted out.

The model is making a change in her career as she is set to make her West End debut as Jenny in 2:22 A Ghost Story in September.

Lily Allen, Tom Felton, Mandip Gill and Giovanna Fletcher have previously starred in the popular theatre production, with Laura set to perform alongside Felix Scott, Tamsin Carroll and Matt Willis.

Maya Jama, Emily Atack and Vick Hope are the front runners tipped to take over from Laura as the new Love Island host next January.

Couple: Laura shares a daughter Stevie Ré with her husband Iain Stirling (both pictured in November), who is the Love Island narrator 

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