Laura Whitmore is leaving BBC Radio 5 Live

Laura Whitmore has decided to quit her weekend show on BBC Radio 5 Live to explore other opportunities, it’s being reported.

The 37 year old presenter joined the station four years ago to present a Sunday morning show and has also hosted ITV 2’s Love Island since 2020.

Gordon Smart has been covering the show while Laura hosts Love Island.

An insider told The Sun: “Love Island has given her huge exposure and a healthy pay packet, and she’s now going to exploit that to the max.

“Laura has already hinted she has other projects in the pipeline and she can’t find the time to continue with all her roles.”

Heidi Dawson, controller of BBC Radio 5 Live confirmed that Laura is stepping down in a statement which read: “Laura has made the difficult decision to leave after a brilliant four years.

“We’d like to thank her for the energy, insight and humour she has brought to this programme and look forward to ­working with her again in the near future.”

Laura’s show on 5 Live is expected to be replaced by a similar topical news and entertainment programme hosted by Helen Skelton.

The BBC held a commissioning round earlier this summer to appoint a production company to make a programme for the 10am-12pm Sunday slot on 5 Live, with a scheduled start date of late July.