Laura Whitmore responds to backlash
Show host Laura Whitmore has responded to backlash over the Love Island reunion special.
She addressed criticism over the seating plan, the questions asked, and the Islanders' nerves.
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The Irish TV presenter shared a screenshot of a DM she received from a viewer slamming her for asking the Islanders, 'invasive questions.'
They wrote to her, 'If you're going to ask people invasive questions based off tabloid stories because it's your job... remember that when you name and shame other journalists who ask you the same questions because they're too, doing their job.'
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The Instagram user was seemingly referring to the time Laura called out a journalist for sending her agent a message, asking about her baby's name.
Laura replied to the viewer's DM, '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…'
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'Consent is an important word that can become blurred.'
'Everyone has a choice and everyone has a right to make their own decisions,' Laura captioned the screenshot.
The seating plan
While on the topic, Laura took it upon herself to address other parts of the reunion that were heavily criticised, like the seating plan.
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She said, '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.'
Laura went on to explain why Kaz, who's a former flame of Toby's, didn't appear on stage with his other exes.
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The presenter said, '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.'
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Nerves
A lot of people have said the reunion was kind of awkward, and Laura appeared to address this too.
She explained, '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.'
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Meanwhile, Love Island's Shannon Singh has branded the reunion special, 'a waste of time.'
Read what she had to say here.
