Caroline Flack's 'Love Island' replacement Laura Whitmore says host has been 'gracious and supportive'

Laura Whitmore is taking over as the host of the winter edition of Love Island from Caroline Flack after the latter's arrest and charge for assault, but there's no bad blood between them.

Flack stepped down from the programme last month following her arrest and according to Whitmore, she's not bitter about her replacement who will kick off the series this Sunday.

"I know she’s got a strong network of people around her who are supporting her throughout all of this," she told The Sun. “She has been incredibly gracious and supportive of me taking on the role for the winter series.

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“She’s a brilliant host and I just hope that I can give the role the justice it deserves while she is taking some time off.”

While Flack won't be appearing as the presenter for this series, ITV have said they will keep in touch with her in regard to future seasons.

A spokesperson for ITV told Yahoo UK: “ITV has a long standing relationship with Caroline and we understand and accept her decision. We will remain in contact with her over the coming months about future series of Love Island.”

Whitmore will be in familiar company when she joins the ITV2 programme, which films in South Africa, as her boyfriend Iain Stirling is Love Island's narrator.

The Scottish presenter has already spoken about his excitement of being joined by his beau on the show as it means they will be able to spend more time together.

Flack made a tearful appearance in court last month where she pleaded not guilty to attacking boyfriend Lewis Burton.

She was subsequently banned from having contact with the 27-year-old, who said he did not want to press charges. Her next court date is 4 March 2020.