LAURA Whitmore raked in half a MILLION pounds for just appearing on screen for 23 minutes of Love Island this year, The Sun can reveal.

It comes after the popular presenter, 37, announced she was quitting her role in the ITV2 hit show yesterday after hosting three seasons.

The Irish beauty took over the job of Love Island host from the late Caroline Flack, when the show aired in South Africa in January 2020.

She then hosted seasons 7 and 8 of the hit ITV2 show.

And Earlier this year The Sun revealed the Irish former model had signed another £500,000 one-year deal to host season nine.

But she only appeared on screen in the villa for 23 minutes and 40 seconds of this season's 57 episodes.

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It means Laura, who is married to the show’s voiceover star Scottish comedian Iain Sterling, 35, trousered £21,367 per minute on the show.

She had been busy presenting Aftersun after every evening's show – interviewing super-fans and Islanders past and present.

Yesterday her announcement that she would be leaving the show shocked fans and fellow celebrities.

Taking to Instagram Laura wrote: "Some news! I won’t be hosting the next series of Love Island.

"There are certain elements of the show I’ve found very difficult that cannot be changed – some due to the format, including the flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects.

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"I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands.

"I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into three series.

"I hope I did you proud Caroline"

In a statement, ITV said: "Laura has been a fantastic host across the last three series of the show.

"We are so grateful for everything she has brought to the programme but understand and respect her decision, and we look forward to working with her on upcoming ITV projects."

NEXT HOST

And eagle-eyes viewers reckon they know exactly who is being lined-up to replace her – Maya Jama.

Maya, 28, was previously tipped to host the ITV2 show in 2019 after Caroline Flack stepped down.  

The presenter, who is engaged to Ben Simmons, admitted she nearly had to jet home early from holiday to take over – but the role was filled by Laura Whitmore.

She said at the time:  “You’re just kind of like, 'Oh, that’s nice.'

"It’s a nice feeling that people want you to do something and it’s nice that people trust that you would be good at doing your job on such a big platform, so it’s flattering.”

And now fans are desperate for her to finally step into the host’s shoes.

Laura has had an incredible career on TV, which started off when she hosted I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! NOW! on ITV2 – for five series from 2011.

Laura also acted as a Eurovision commentator in 2014.

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In 2016 she competed on Strictly Come Dancing and was partnered with pro dancer Giovanni Pernice, but was the fifth celeb to be voted out.

In 2018, Laura presented ITV2 reality series Survival of the Fittest.

The Sun has approached Laura's agent for comment.

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