James R | On 24, Dec 2019

With only days to go until Love Island returns for its sixth season, ITV has announced that Laura Whitmore will host the new season.

The show is one of the biggest programmes in the UK, with its summer-dominating broadcast the most watched programme of the year for adults aged 16 to 34, across any channel. The show’s fifth season has hit new heights this summer, breaking the 6 million viewers mark for the first time, in terms of four-screen consolidated viewing.

Caroline Flack, who has pleaded not guilty to assaulting her boyfriend with a lamp, will stand trial in March this year. She has already stepped down as presenter for Love Island’s next run. Now, ITV2 has officially confirmed that Laura will present the main show nightly at 9pm and will also host Love Island: Aftersun, which will air on ITV2 live from London on Mondays at 10pm.

The first season of the year comes from a brand new location and villa in Cape Town where a host of new Islanders will try to win the hearts of each other – and the nation – in the ultimate search for love.

Laura Whitmore said in a statement last week: “To say I’m excited to be heading to Cape Town to host Love Island, the biggest show on television, is an understatement.

“I want to thank ITV for trusting me at the helm of this huge show. I wish it was in better circumstances; Caroline is a brilliant host and also a friend. 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.”

Yesterday, Whitmore shared this message on Instagram that she had posted at North Greenwich Tube station:

View this post on Instagram

A little message from me… This is up in North Greenwich London tube station over Christmas. I never in a million years thought I’d get the opportunities I have been given. I grew up in a small town in Ireland with a single mum and no one I knew worked in telly. I’ve worked hard but I feel truly lucky to feel love and support. Never let anyone tell you you can’t do something. Let’s remember to share the love. Be nice to each other. Christmas is hard and a lot of people are at breaking point. No one knows the demons people face. Happy Christmas! Just recorded my last show before Christmas. Signing out x #winteroflove #crackon

A post shared by Laura (@thewhitmore) on Dec 22, 2019 at 3:51am PST

 
Love Island Season 6 will premiere on ITV2 on 12th January 2020.

 

Love Island doubles up to two series a year for 2020

25th July 2019

 

Viewers will no longer have to wait a year for their next instalment of Love Island: the dating is doubling up to two series of Love Island in 2020.
 
The reality dating series is an undeniable phenomenon, with its summer-dominating broadcast the most watched programme of the year for adults aged 16 to 34, across any channel. The show’s fifth season has hit new heights this summer, breaking the 6 million viewers mark for the first time, in terms of four-screen consolidated viewing.
 
There have been over 2 billion impressions on Twitter so far this series, and the Love Island account now has over 3 million instagram followers.
 
While there would be a year-long break until the next dose of dating drama, Love Island will now be back in early 2029, in a new location: the first run of the year will bring the sunshine to viewers from a villa in South Africa. The summer season will then return to Europe as usual.
 
Paul Mortimer, Head of Digital Channels and Acquisitions at ITV says: “Off the back of a record-breaking year, we’re delighted to be bringing an extra series of our biggest and sunniest show to the 2020 schedule. Love Island has proven yet again to be the perfect format that engages younger audiences. In response to this viewer appetite, a new batch of young singletons will deliver some highly anticipated post-Christmas romance and drama from our new and luxurious location.”
 
Love Island UK is produced by ITV Studios Entertainment and Motion Content Group. 
 
Angela Jain, Managing Director ITV Studios Entertainment, adds: “We love making Love Island for ITV2. The show’s success is testament to the magnificent production team that decamp to Mallorca every year to deliver the award-winning show with its trademark warmth, wit and wide-ranging appeal.”
 
Love Island is based on a format owned by ITV Studios and Motion Content Group Ltd and is distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

Add to Watchlist