Whether or not you had been a fan of Whitmore or not, her departure leaves Love Island, arguably the most important actuality present within the UK, with out a face – and as we noticed in final evening’s Home of the Dragon premiere, nothing is extra essential than naming a successor, particularly as winter is coming. However who would be the subsequent broadcaster to strut into the villa and sit on Love Island’s equal of the Iron Throne?
The reply is easy: it is time to let a actuality star (or a actuality professional) start their reign. As we have seen lately, a few of the finest broadcasters have moved into presenting after discovering fame on unscripted reveals. Simply have a look at Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two’s Rylan or This Morning’s Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson, all of whom established themselves as huge personalities on Massive Brother and used their experiences to convey heat, sympathy and likability as interviewers.
Likewise, presenters who’ve already lower their enamel on actuality reveals are additionally a protected guess, with most of them realizing the format inside and outside. Whether or not it is AJ Odudu or Maya Jama, quite a few names would have the ability to step into Whitmore’s heels with skilled ease – however what is important to be the subsequent Love Island host is a passionate love for the present.
With that in thoughts, we have collated a shortlist of TV personalities, broadcasters and presenters who would make wonderful replacements. Tasked with following in Laura Whitmore and the late Caroline Flack’s footsteps, we reckon any of those stars would handle to tame this mammoth of a actuality competitors.
AJ Odudu
There is no doubt about it – AJ Odudu would make a superb substitute for Laura Whitmore on Love Island.
Not solely would Odudu convey the bubbly presenting model we have already seen on Massive Brother’s Bit on the Facet and Married at First Sight: Afters, she would additionally turn into the primary individual of color to host the truth present and a welcome addition to the staff.
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The 34-year-old is at present on a roll, having made it to the ultimate of Strictly Come Dancing’s final season and being a UK spokesperson for the Eurovision Music Contest. With each Whitmore and Flack having beforehand sequinned up for Strictly, maybe Odudu could be the subsequent to convey her clean strikes to the Love Island villa.
Maura Higgins
My private prime choose for Love Island host could be Maura Higgins – among the finest contestants within the actuality present’s historical past.
Immensely quotable, vastly likeable and at all times hilarious, the Irish TV character is aware of precisely the fitting inquiries to be asking future islanders, and having spent 44 days on the present, she would have the ability to perceive what the contestants are going via, how they really feel and act appropriately.
Since leaving the villa, Higgins has finessed her presenting abilities on This Morning, Superstar Juice and the Irish model of Glow Up: Britain’s Subsequent Make-Up Star – so why not hand her the keys to the Love Island villa?
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
After taking the newest Love Island sequence by storm, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has turn into a preferred selection by followers for Whitmore’s substitute – and after charming us along with her balcony antics and love for drama, it is laborious to not root for the 28-year-old icon.
With Ekin-Su fever nonetheless very a lot alive and the previous cleaning soap actress impressing along with her appearances on Free Girls and The Massive Breakfast, Cülcüloğlu could be an thrilling choose and, very similar to Maura Higgins, would harness her villa expertise to turn into an empathetic but animated host – particularly if Davide Sanclimenti had been to additionally make an look.
Nonetheless, it is attainable that this chance has come a bit too quickly for Cülcüloglu. Whereas she has a couple of Turkish cleaning soap roles below her belt, giving her this highly-scrutinised position could be a giant danger by ITV2 and though she might convey new life to the present, it is attainable she could crash and burn with out sufficient presenting follow.
Amber Gill
Maybe it is time for Love Island winner Amber Gill to entrance the present – particularly since she’s been on the Twitter battlefront delivering her opinions on the newest season.
Whereas it has been three years since Gill made her actuality debut on Love Island, she’s stayed within the public eye, having appeared on This Morning, Free Girls, Lorraine, Superstar MasterMind, Superstar SAS: Who Dares Wins and presenting ITV2’s The Full Remedy.
Gill would convey an understated strategy to Love Island however possibly that is what the truth present must steadiness out the louder personalities of its contestants.
Kem Cetinay
If ITV2 had been to combine issues up with a person, the plain selection could be 2017 winner Kem Cetinay, who has stored one finger within the actuality present’s pie because of his internet hosting position on the Love Island podcast.
The 26-year-old took half in Love Island simply because the competitors started to take off and with presenting roles on Good Morning Britain, You Vs Chris & Kem, This Morning and The Full Remedy on his CV, maybe the TV character can convey a little bit of bromance again to the present – particularly if Chris Hughes had been to cease by the villa.
Iain Stirling
We won’t neglect about Iain Stirling, who has been the voice of Love Island because the present’s very first season in 2015. The Scottish comic is an apparent selection to switch Whitmore, with followers loving his tongue-in-cheek commentary and his immediately recognisable accent.
Whereas the humorist beforehand advised RadioTimes.com that he would not wish to seem on display and that he is “glad being within the darkness and the ether”, followers would undoubtedly like to see the face behind the enduring battlecry that’s: “Toniiiiight on Love Island…”
Maya Jama
A reputation being thrown round so much as we speak is Maya Jama – the TV and radio presenter whose profession has gone from power to power over the previous few years.
From Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer time to Glow Up: Britain’s Subsequent Make-Up Star, the 28-year-old has confirmed she has the presenting abilities to maintain Love Island afloat. Nonetheless, with so many different choices on the desk, and the chance to catapult a greener title to fame, maybe ITV2 ought to go along with another person – particularly since Jama appears to be continuously on TV anyway.
Love Island returns for a winter season later this 12 months. You may atone for the earlier seasons on ITV Hub and BritBox – you possibly can join a 7-day free Britbox trial right here. Take a look at extra of our Leisure protection or go to our TV Information to see what’s on tonight.
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