Sky made an embarrassing mistake on Monday night when the TV network used a picture of Laura Whitmore to promote the new Love Island.
The 37-year-old TV presenter stepped down from the ITV2 dating show last year, a role she took on in 2020.
Meanwhile, new host Maya Jama has taken over, writing on her Instagram on Monday: “Hope I make you all proud”.
Awkward! Sky made an embarrassing mistake on Monday night when the TV network used a picture of Laura Whitmore to promote the new Love Island
Oops! The 37-year-old TV presenter stepped down from the ITV2 dating show last year, a role she took on in 2020
Love Island returned to screens for its much-anticipated winter series on Monday January 16, three years after the ITV2 reality show last aired outside of its usual summer episode.
The ninth series will be hosted by Maya for the first time after Laura resigned from her position following the tragic death of former host Caroline Flack in 2020.
Admitting she found it “very difficult” to be flown back and forth from the Mallorca villa, Laura claimed she only intended to represent Caroline for a series, saying emotionally that she hopes she does hers made deceased friend “proud”.
Alongside Love Island, she was a presenter on sister program Aftersun and had received mixed reviews, with some viewers praising her handling of sensitive issues while others criticized her for “shaming sluts” in a segment that drew 427 Ofcom complaints.
New host: Meanwhile, new host Maya Jama has taken over – writing on her Instagram on Monday: “I hope I make you all proud”.
The Irish presenter joined in 2020 and has hosted the hugely popular reality program and its spin-off Aftersun for three series.
Laura – who is a mother to a 16-month-old daughter with Love Island voiceover star Iain Sterling – took to her Instagram at the time to confirm she was leaving and said she had found it “very difficult” to come off the Villa to fly back and forth. .
Laura replaced Caroline Flack as Love Island presenter when she stepped down in December 2019. Caroline tragically took her own life in February 2020 at the age of 40.
In her statement, Laura said she only plans to fill in for Caroline on a series and emotionally said she hopes she has made her late boyfriend “proud”.
Exit: Laura announced in August last year that she was leaving the show and would not be returning to host the next series of the ITV2 dating show (pictured August 2022).
Taking to Instagram, Laura said: “Some news! I will not be hosting the next series of Love Island.
“There are certain elements of the show that I have found very difficult and cannot be changed due to the format, including flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects.
“I wish it was still possible, but I know you’re in safe hands. I was only going to fill in for Caroline for 1 series and that ended up being 3 series. I hope I made you proud Caroline.’
Speaking of Laura’s exit at the time, an ITV spokesman said: “Laura has been a fantastic presenter for the last three series of the show.
“We are so grateful for everything she has brought to the programme, but we understand and respect her decision and look forward to working with her on upcoming ITV projects.”
Presenter: The Irish presenter, 37, joined Love Island back in 2020 and has hosted the hugely popular reality TV show for three series (pictured August 2022)
Maya has presenting experience on shows such as Walk the Line and Soccer Aid.
Co-host Vick Hope was also in the running for the show.
Laura’s exit from the show comes after she opened up about the “tiring” and “tough” aspects of hosting Love Island.
She told the Distraction Pieces podcast: “With Love Island stuff sometimes it’s just a little bit exhausting because some of the stuff is just mental.
Tribute: Laura said she only plans to fill in for former presenter Caroline Flack (right) – who took her own life in February 2020 – for a series and said she hopes she’s made her late friend ‘proud’ ( picture 2018).
“As a host, it doesn’t take up a lot of time compared to my other work. It’s been over eight weeks.
“The host only comes three or four times, always has, but he gets the most attention. It’s a bit tiring and it’s tough.’
The mansion was unveiled last month, with sources telling Web that the South African mansion is the “best mansion” yet.
Love Island bosses have reportedly shelled out £1.2million.
According to The Sun, the magnificent mansion in South Africa has a zip line, a 400-metre running track, and rugby and football pitches.
The oversized luxury eco-retreat offers stunning mountain views and is nestled in a ‘conserved area’ in the heart of the Franschhoek Wine Valley on South Africa’s ‘Millionaire Row’.
ITV2 is said to be spending £8,000 a day for exclusive use of the property, which is said to be owned by a triathlete couple.
Incredible! Love Island bosses have reportedly invested in a £1.2million villa where contestants will compete like gladiators to win the show’s sportiest season yet