When host Laura Whitmore announced she would be stepping down from next year's series of Love Island, viewers had a lot of thoughts on who they might want to replace her.
Among the names thrown around – which included previous islander Maura Higgins and Made in Chelsea star and mega fan Sam Thompson – was Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.
After being a firm favourite on this year's Love Island – and going on to win the show with boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti – many fans called for Ekin-Su to make a return, but this time on the other side of the camera.
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Despite fans' wishes, however, it seems it's not meant to be – at least not yet anyway.
Discussing the claims, Ekin has pretty much ruled it out due to her busy schedule.
"I would love to take her place but I don’t think I’m ready yet," Ekin-Su told Metro. "I feel like I’ve got so much going on."
She added: "One day, fingers crossed!"
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Anyone who has been following Ekin-Su since she left the villa will know that the actress has been pretty busy since the show ended, jetting off to Los Angeles and later New York as the face of online fashion retailer Oh Polly.
Ekin's comments come after Laura revealed she would not be hosting the next season of the show, which is set to air in January 2023 from the villa in South Africa.
"I won’t be hosting the next series of Love Island," she wrote on Instagram. "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. I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands."
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ITV said it would continue to work with the presenter on other projects, and that it was 'grateful' for her input to the dating show, which she has presented since January 2020.
The channel said in a statement: "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."
It's not yet clear who will be presenting the next season of the show, but we can't wait to find out!
Topics: Celebrity, Love Island, TV And Film, ITV
Lucy Devine