Laura Whitmore hosts Love Island for the first time in a MONTH

Laura Whitmore finally returned to the Love Island villa on Thursday’s show, to host the Casa Amor recoupling.

And fans flocked to Twitter to joke that they’d forgotten she presented the series, given that it was her first appearance since episode one on June 28.

While Laura, 36, has been hosting Aftersun on Sunday nights, the presenter has been absent from the main show since the very first coupling up of the 2021 series.

‘She’s only just shown up and it’s episode 31!’ Love Island fans claimed they ‘FORGOT’ Laura Whitmore hosts the show on Thursday as she appeared for the first time in a MONTH to ‘earn her salary’

Yet she arrived looking pristine in a fuchsia and black patterned mini dress to oversee proceedings – which were cut short following Abi’s betrayal by Toby and Mary.

Laura will be seen on Friday night’s instalment as the recoupling continues – but this will still only be her third episode in the 32 that have aired on the series thus far.

One viewer tweeted: ‘This got to be the easiest bag Laura Whitmore has ever made she’s only just shown up and its ep 31!’

A second penned: ‘Omg finally Laura Whitmore is back, thought she had abandoned the series!’

Thanks for stopping by! Laura will be seen on Friday night’s instalment as the recoupling continues – but this will still only be her third episode in the 32 that have aired on the series thus far

‘Nice of Laura Whitmore to come back and present the show for the first time in a month,’ a third remarked.

‘After 4 weeks they found Laura Whitmore!!’ posted another.

Someone else penned: ‘Laura Whitmore is finally here earning her salary!’

One person remarked: ‘After 4 weeks they found Laura Whitmore!!’

Laura – who is reportedly being paid £600,000 to host the series – has not been present for any of the dumpings that have happened thus far and has only featured for 12 minutes of the programme over the last month.

The presenter’s absence has been noted by fans of the show before now.

One joked earlier this month that she must have been ‘furloughed’, while another penned they ‘totally forgot’ she was the host.

While Laura, 36, has been hosting Aftersun on Sunday nights [pictured last weekend], the presenter has been absent from the main show since the very first coupling up of the 2021 series

Elusive: Laura – who is reportedly being paid £600,000 to host – has not been present for any of the dumpings and has only featured for 12minutes of the programme prior to Thursday’s appearance

Taking to Twitter, viewers noted: ‘Laura Whitmore gets £600k to present love island and I genuinely can’t remember the last time I saw her in the villa!’

‘Is Laura Whitmore on furlough this series orrr?’ another wrote.

‘Is Laura Whitmore in this series? like at all? They just keep sending texts,’ another posted.

‘Not Laura Whitmore getting presenter credits while never showing up!’ another penned.

Laura was flown back to Spain for the Casa Amor fallout, which saw Abi choose to stay loyal to Toby, only for the consistently-flakey footballer to turn up holding hands with new girl Mary.

Biggest mistake of his life: It was finally time for the Casa Amor fallout to take place on Thursday night’s Love Island. And things got off to a dramatic start as Abi and Toby’s fates were sealed

Abi insisted she felt Toby was worth waiting for, only for him to throw her under the bus for his new blonde partner.

Chloe – who was also betrayed by Toby previously – branded him a ‘p***k’ and a ‘f**king idiot’ from the sidelines.

Laura asked Abi if she’d like to say anything, and replied: ‘Happy for you!’

Betrayed: Abi insisted she felt Toby was worth waiting for, only for him to throw her under the bus for his new blonde partner

We’ve been here before: Chloe – who was also betrayed by Toby previously – branded him a ‘p***k’ and a ‘f**king idiot’ from the sidelines

Faye applauded her for this, while Mary apologised to Abi.

A very sheepish-looking Toby returned to the firepit to sit down with Mary, with the rest of the girls glaring at him seething.

He explained: ‘I don’t know what to say at the moment, to be honest. I’m a bit shocked. I just thought it was early days, and with six new beautiful boys I thought … I dunno.

That’s awkward: Abi chose to stay loyal to Toby – but the consistently-flakey footballer turned up holding hands with new girl Mary

What goes around comes around: Laura asked Abi if she’d like to say anything, and replied, ‘Happy for you!’

‘Going to Casa Amor was kind of a clean slate. With Mary there was no pressure on the situation, she’s an attractive and beautiful girl inside and out so, when I came back I wanted to bring something I had with someone back as well.’

Chloe had kicked off the recoupling, deciding to choose new boy Dale, despite her friendship coupling with Hugo.

Hugo returned with new girl Amy, having previously failed to find any connections beforehand.

Both sets of couples seemed pleased for each other, with everyone cheering Hugo as he strode in with Amy on his arm.

Uncomfortable: A very sheepish-looking Toby returned to the firepit to sit down with Mary, with the rest of the girls glaring at him seething

Pucker up: Toby and Mary had kissed earlier in the episode

‘I’ve found what’s missing,’ he declared, sweetly.

Chloe’s decision to opt for Dale might have surprised some, after he had refused to share a bed with her earlier in the show.

In a strange move, he opted to sleep apart from her, leaving Chloe feeling humiliated.

Yet, having cleared the air with him the next day, Chloe clearly felt he was worth keeping around.

The episode ended on a cliffhanger, with the remaining pairings yet to be seen.

New coupling: Chloe’s decision to opt for Dale might have surprised some, after he had refused to share a bed with her earlier in the show

Finally! Hugo returned with new girl Amy, having previously failed to find any connections beforehand

Tension is hanging around Liam and Millie – with the latter expected to stay loyal to Liam, with him looking likely to return with Lillie, after kissing her in Casa Amor.

Other betrayals have taken place in the form of Kaz and Tyler – with the latter romancing Clarisse, expected to return with her. Kaz, however, has preempted this, and chosen to move on with a new man herself, in the form of Matthew.

Teddy has stayed loyal to Faye, but a misleading postcard from Casa Amor has seen her grow closer to Sam.

The rest of the recoupling will play out on Friday’s show, at 9PM on ITV2. 

What will become of Feddy? Teddy has stayed loyal to Faye, but a misleading postcard from Casa Amor has seen her grow closer to Sam