Laura Whitmore asked her mum for permission to meet with ‘Love Island’ bosses.
The 34-year-old television presenter was announced as the new host of the ITV2 dating show – after Caroline Flack stepped down following assault charges – last month after discussions with ITV bosses, but she had to clear it with her mother because the meeting fell on the same day as her birthday.
Speaking on ‘This Morning’ on Thursday (09.01.20), Laura said: "It was just before Christmas, and I was flying back to Ireland because it was my mum’s birthday.
"I was at the airport and I got a phone call from my agent saying, ‘Producers from ITV would like to meet with you in a few hours.’ I thought, ‘I’m at the airport for my mum’s birthday, I can’t make that meeting’.
"Then I thought, ‘Hold on a second, I’ll ring up mammy’ and I said, ‘How would you feel if I came tomorrow instead of today?’ and she said that was ok. So, thankfully, that’s why I’m here now."
Although Laura claimed the job as a "dream come true," the blonde beauty admitted the last few weeks have been a whirlwind.
She added: "I had to get a cab back from the airport, back to my house and then go to the meeting but it was all pretty quick. It’s only really been two or three weeks and then it was Christmas."
Meanwhile, Laura praised former host Caroline for her support during the process, and revealed she got a message of support from her predecessor.
She added: "It was a little bit of a whirlwind. When Caroline stepped down, she actually sent me a text message saying, ‘I really hope you get to do this series.’ The speculation in the papers, and I don’t know anything, I know as much as everyone else knows."
Laura Whitmore needed mum’s permission for Love Island role
