'Love Island' - Laura Whitmore shares tight COVID measures as hit show returns
As Love Island makes its triumphant return to TV for the first summer series since the coronavirus pandemic began, host Laura Whitmore has shared the tight controls to guard against a COVID outbreak at Casa Amor.
TV shows and film sets have been working under coronavirus restrictions since productions were allowed to resume last year and Love Island is no different - although the nature of the dating show means careful planning has had to go into controlling any spread of the virus.
Read more: Love Island's Hugo Hammond wants to show disabilities as 'mainstream'
Presenter Whitmore spoke to Richard Arnold from a sunny poolside on Monday's Good Morning Britain, ahead of the series launch later in the evening.
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She explained: "They're all in a bubble together.
"The Islanders have been out there for two weeks beforehand. I feel like all of Majorca is going to be the cast of Love Island."
However, Whitmore can't be a part of the main bubble as her job would usually involve passing in and out of the villa.
She said: "And I'm not going to be in the villa at all. So everything I do will be done outside the villa, or by the pool or by the firepit.
"So we stick to the rules that way."
Watch: Laura Whitmore reveals first picture of newborn daughter
The Love Island host welcomed her first child this year, a daughter with husband Iain Stirling who narrates the show.
Another change for 2021 is that show bosses are offering an enhanced support package to contestants following previous complaints about a lack of aftercare and the tragic deaths of past stars including Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon.
Each person taking part will get 14 months of aftercare including a minimum of eight therapy sessions, social media training including how to handle trolls, and financial advice so that they don't blow all of their earnings at once.
Whitmore said: "When Love Island started people didn't realise how successful it was going to be, it had a cult following.
"As soon as something becomes a commercial success then it becomes difficult because everyone has an opinion.
Read more: Love Island bosses defend contestants' 'healthy BMIs' for new series
"That is one of the things the producers have been working with."
She added: "Nobody goes on that show without going through so many different interview processes and checking that everyone is OK. So that we look after the people we love."
Watch: Megan Barton-Hanson hopes Love Island contestants have sex
