LAURA Whitmore has faced further backlash after snapping at Love Island fans on Instagram following complaints about the reunion show.
The “boring” programme, which aired on Sunday night, was heavily criticised by viewers for a multitude of reasons.
Many claimed that it was “awkward” to watch, while others were outraged that Kaz and Tyler were the only finalists not invited onto the sofa for an interview – instead speaking from their spot in the audience.
In addition, Laura was accused of being a “hypocrite” and “disrespectful” for quizzing Lillie on rumours about her and footballer Jack Grealish – and unimpressed fans begged for the host to be replaced next year.
The Irish star wasted no time in hitting back on her social media page yesterday, with her rant kicking off as she shared a screenshot of a message from an unimpressed fan.
Addressing the Grealish controversy, the viewer blasted Laura’s “invasive questions”, and pointed out the hypocrisy of Laura “naming and shaming” journalists for doing the same to her in the past.
Replying, Laura said she insisted “everyone saw the questions” before the show went on air, adding: “Everyone has a choice and everyone has a right to make their own decisions.”
She went on to “clarify some other things”, writing on her Instagram Story: “Hundreds of people work on Love Island, my job is not to organise seating arrangements. I barely know what seat I’m sitting in before the show as set changes so much.
“We invited Kaz to sit with Toby for his exes segment but she didn’t want to and it’s her choice to make.
“Everything is run through with the Islanders beforehand, it’s all about choice! I only ask questions that are pre-approved by the compliance division. A lot of meetings happen before I see the script and then I can add my voice.”
Laura added: “Unlike previous years, the Islanders weren’t allowed alcohol. Please remember they are just regular people who were nervous on live telly. I’m sure some would have loved a drink for the nerves!
“I, however, had a large glass of wine before the show – having spent the last two series of Celeb Juice not drinking, I owed it to myself.”
She concluded: “If I see anyone giving s**t to our Islanders I will call you out.”
But Laura’s words didn’t wash with fans – especially her remark about Kaz, with many wondering why being Toby’s ex was her only route to the sofa, despite being a finalist.
While the other three couples in last month’s final appeared on the stage together to talk to Laura about their journey, Kaz and Tyler remained in the crowd with no invite to the sofa.
Taking to Twitter to share a screenshot of Laura’s defence, one fan wrote: “So she admits that Kaz (an OG and finalist islander) was invited up to the couch as a ‘side piece’ to Toby’s journey but her and her mans were not invited up to the couch to discuss their own journey?”
Another agreed: “So totally GLOSSING over the obvious question of why KAZ AND TYLER weren’t on the couch to talk about Kaz and Tyler? Hunny nobody cared about Kaz being with with Toby we cared about the FINALISTS not being treated as the other FINALISTS. But whatever floats your boat.”
A third echoed: “Laura Whitmore saying they invited Kaz as an ‘ex of Toby’ is everything that’s wrong with #LoveIsland and her as a host. Kaz literally helped make the show and was a big existence and part in the villa… and she was a flipping FINALIST.”
One more wrote: “Kaz was an OG finalist and they choose to treat her as an extension of Toby. Tell me Love island disrespects black women without telling me Love island disrespects black women.”
Laura, who is married to Love Island’s voiceover star Iain Stirling, landed the role of the show’s presenter last year, making her debut as host during the 2020 winter series.
