Love Island host Laura Whitmore has said that she ‘hasn’t even thought’ about the summer series of the ITV2 dating show after Caroline Flack’s death.
The Irish presenter, 34, who took over presenting from Caroline for the winter edition, added that she needs time to ‘reflect’ and to look after herself following a ‘difficult’ series.
Speaking in a new candid podcast interview, Laura admitted that it’s nice to ‘have a break’ from the show and ‘not talk about it’ with her boyfriend Iain Stirling, who narrates Love Island.
Candid: Love Island host Laura Whitmore has said that she ‘hasn’t even thought’ about the summer series of the ITV2 dating show after Caroline Flack’s death
Talking on JD In The Duffle Bag Podcast with Grazia, she said: ‘I haven’t even thought about the next series to be honest. I really enjoyed doing series 6 but it was very difficult. It had huge highs, huge lows.
‘For a lot of people who worked, we all need a bit of time away from the show just to reflect and look after our own selves and self-care. It’s very soon to be talking about the summer at the moment because we just need time to ourselves.’
Laura, who credits baths and yoga for reducing her anxiety, added that it helped working alongside beau Iain on the show as he ‘understands this’.
She continued: ‘It’s nice to have a break and not talk about it, you know, for like, half an hour or an hour. Sometimes we’ll go for dinner and not talk about Love Island.’
Reflect: The Irish presenter, 34, who took over presenting from Caroline for the winter edition, added that she needs time to ‘reflect’ and to look after herself following a ‘difficult’ series (pictured with Caroline in 2019)
Her man: Speaking in a new candid podcast interview, Laura admitted that it’s nice to ‘have a break’ from the show and ‘not talk about it’ with her boyfriend Iain Stirling, who narrates Love Island
Laura added that despite working together they rarely saw each other due to separate rooms and different time schedules, with the Irish star often accidentally telling Iain spoilers.
It comes after Laura and Iain shared heartfelt tributes to Caroline Flack the day after her funeral.
The Love Island host, 34, and her boyfriend, 32, honoured their late friend with moving messages on Wednesday, one day after the 40-year-old presenter was laid to rest following her tragic suicide on 15 February.
Laura shared: ‘Beautiful send off yesterday for a life that ended too soon. See you on the other side Flack, have the pina coladas waiting x.’
Speaking out: Talking on JD In The Duffle Bag Podcast with Grazia , she said: ‘I haven’t even thought about the next series to be honest. I really enjoyed doing series 6 but it was very difficult. It had huge highs, huge lows.’ (pictured, centre, with the winter cast of Love Island)
‘See you on the other side Flack’: Laura shared a moving tribute to her late friend Caroline the day after her funeral on Wednesday
Laura’s beautiful words were accompanied by a picture of her posing with Caroline at a party, laughing together.
Iain also posted a message of his own, which the Love Island voiceover artist accompanied with a behind-the-scenes picture of him eating pizza with Caroline.
He wrote: ‘Yesterday we said goodbye to Caroline. It was a small services filled with her friends and family.
‘The day was spent sharing stories, singing songs and of course some tears were shed.
‘You were so loved Caz’: Love Island voiceover artist Iain Stirling also posted a tribute to the beloved presenter
Moving: The comedian shared some beautiful words about Caroline and how her close friends and family will remember her
‘As someone who had the worst FOMO in the world I know Carrie would have hated missing it. And her infectious laugh was painfully absent.
‘You were so loved Caz, by so many – I hope you knew that. And I hope you’re now at peace. X.’
One of Caroline’s closest friends, Lou Teasdale, shared pictures from the day on Instagram, as she remembered Caroline, along with the late star’s boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27.
Lou, 36, wore a Choose Love T-shirt similar to one Caroline had worn before, as did the host’s best friend Mollie Grosberg.
‘Bye beautiful’: Caroline’s friends, including Lou Teasdale (second from left) rallied round late star’s boyfriend Lewis Burton (second from right) on the day of her funeral on Tuesday
Bye beautiful: Lou, who always made sure she was there for Caroline, shared this poignant caption alongside the photograph on the sad day
Important message: She had also worn a Choose Love T-shirt, similar to the one Caroline had worn before
Lou also shared a picture of herself with Mollie in their matching tops.
Caroline’s friends have been sharing pictures of the star at her most beautiful as they paid tribute to her following her shock death on February 15.
The star tragically took her own life at her home in Stoke Newington, a day after learning the CPS would be pursuing a case of assault against her following a row with Lewis at her home in December.
Lou wrote: ‘Here’s us like 5 days ago really happy lolling telling eachother we’re really fit AND funny and 5 years ago, and 10 years ago. I love you. I hope you are at peace now. Til the end my beautiful friend, Caroline x’
Caring Lou had been taking care of Caroline and had popped out to the shops when the star had taken her life shortly after she left the property.
Lou had previously shared a gallery of pictures of Caroline, writing: ‘Here’s us like 5 days ago really happy lolling telling each other we’re really fit AND funny and 5 years ago, and 10 years ago. I love you.
‘I hope you are at peace now. Til the end my beautiful friend, Caroline x.’
If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
Soulmates: Lou had been taking care of Caroline and they had been close friends for years