Laura Whitmore baffled by complaint over her ‘slow walk’ on Love Island: ‘I walk normal pace’-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro

The host’s slow-mo walk sparked a complaint (Picture: ITV/Rex/Shutterstock)

Former Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore has addressed the complaint she received over her ‘slow walk’ on the show, insisting that the programme ‘slows it down’.

Following this year’s series of the dating competition, which saw winners Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti walk away with the £50,000 prize, Laura quit as host after two years.

Having taken on the role in 2020 to replace the late Caroline Flack, she explained that she found the frequent flying back and forth as well as balancing several projects ‘very difficult’, while also stressing that she had initially only planned on filling in for one series, rather than three.

In a new interview, Laura, 37, has looked back on her time working on Love Island, which included facing mockery over her famous ‘slow walk’ as she entered the villa to deliver – more often than not – crushing news for the islanders.

The radio presenter, who is now starring in the West End show 2:22 A Ghost Story, was left absolutely baffled by the complaint she received about her slowed-down strut.

‘I got a complaint because I’m so selfish, I make the whole show about me because I walk so slow,’ she told The Independent.

She added: ‘Someone actually wrote in! I walk normal pace. They slow it down!’

Some of the complaints submitted by viewers about Love Island to Ofcom concerned more serious matters, particularly bullying claims made about specific behaviour targeted at contestant Tasha Ghouri.

‘It’s an entertainment show,’ Laura said. ‘So I think if you’re using Love Island as being exactly what real life is, then you’re in trouble.’

A new host will take Laura’s place on the next series (Picture: Jonathan Hordle/Rex/Shutterstock)

Caroline – who was also known for her ‘slow walk’ on Love Island – hosted the show from 2015 to 2019 (Picture: ITV/Rex)

In late August, it was confirmed that Ofcom would not investigate the complaints over ‘misogynistic and bullying behaviour’, with a spokesperson for the media watchdog saying: ‘We carefully assessed complaints about this series on a range of issues including alleged misogynistic and bullying behaviour.

‘We recognise that emotionally charged or confrontational scenes can upset some viewers. But, in our view, negative behaviour in the villa was not shown in a positive light.’

They continued: ‘Viewers saw other islanders condemning the behaviour and offering advice and support, as well as scenes where apologies were made.

‘We also took into account that the format of this reality show is well established and viewers would expect to see the highs and lows as couples’ relationships are tested.’

Love Island is available to watch on ITV Hub.

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