Laura Whitmore has responded to backlash over the Love Island reunion show.
The Irish presenter hosted the show on Sunday night, which saw this year’s contestants reunite for the first time since leaving the villa.
Viewers were left unimpressed by the show, which they branded “awkward” and “anticlimactic”.
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Monday afternoon, Laura shared a screenshot of a DM she received from a fan, who slammed her for asking the Islanders “invasive questions”.
The Bray native replied: “I insist everyone sees the questions before they go on air and are ok with it. I believe in choice, so nothing is ever asked without permission…”
She then wrote: “Shall I clarify a few other things?”
Addressing criticism over the seating arrangements on the night, Laura explained: “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 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.”
Explaining the “awkwardness”, Laura said: “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 they 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 added – referring to when she was pregnant with her and her husband Iain Stirling’s daughter.
Season 7 of Love Island concluded on August 23, and saw Liam Reardon and Millie Court become the winners of the show.
