Update, December 17, 2019: Caroline Flack has officially stepped down from her four-year gig as the host of ITV2's Love Island in light of the news of her arrest.
She took to Instagram early this morning to share the news with her 2 million followers. "In order to not detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is stand down for Series 6," said Flack on her Instagram story.
However, this may not be the end of Flack's run on the viral dating competition. A statement from ITV hinted that the network is still interested in keeping her around, and she could very well return to the series in the future. "ITV has a long-standing relationship with Caroline and we understand and accept her decision," said the network. "We will remain in contact with her over the coming months about future series of Love Island."
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With the season premiere of Winter Love Island just a few weeks away, who will replace Flack? There's already a lineup of potential new hosts, and it includes a few familiar names. TV presenters Maya Jama and Rochelle Humes have been tossed into the mix as well as former Love Island contestant Maura Higgins, whose latest Instagram posted fueled rumors that she was off to South Africa to begin filming for the winter season.
There's been no word yet on who will take on Flack's duties as host, but the new season of the dating series is still set to air on ITV2 on January 12, 2020.
This article was originally published on December 13, 2019.
British celebrity and Love Island host Caroline Flack has been charged with assault, reports CNN. The television personality was involved in an altercation that took place on Thursday night, resulting in her subsequent arrest by London Metropolitan police.
Flack allegedly assaulted a man "by beating," but police say that the victim was not seriously injured. She is scheduled to appear for a bail hearing at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on December 23.
The news of the charges come just a few weeks ahead of the January premiere of the winter edition of the popular dating reality series Love Island, a show that Flack has hosted since its 2015 television debut. On the show, a good-looking group of singles couple up amongst themselves in a beautiful mansion in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, Mallorca. As couples are voted out by the viewers watching at home, new singles are brought in, changing the dynamic of the house. At the end, the couple that the audiences deems the winner earns £50,000.
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Instead of its standard Mallorca villa, Winter Love Island's competitors will fly to the gorgeous city of Capetown where the usual romantic hijinks and shocking betrayals will ensue under the South African sun. The cast of the winter series has yet to be announced, but if they're anything like the colorful people we got to know and love (or hate, in the case of Greg O'Shea and Michael Griffiths), Winter Love Island is going to be a wild ride.
Winter Love Island isn't the show's only spinoff. The original ITV series has spawned an international franchise which including Love Island Australia, Love Island Sweden, and Love Island Suomi (Finland). In July, Love Island USA became the latest addition to the franchise, and it was received with mixed reviews. Without the contestants's signature British slang, is it really Love Island?
South London accent be damned, the fans are still invested in the drama, and Flack's legal woes have spurred a strong reaction among Love Island viewers all over the world. Many calling for her to step down from her hosting gig to make room for fresh blood. Fellow television presenter Maya Jama is a top contender in the Love Island host fancasting; the 25-year-old has hosted a number of programs on BBC Radio 1, ITV, and MTV. She also notably dated grime rapper Stormzy.
Flack's representatives have not yet responded to Refinery29's request for comment.