Laura Whitmore calls out 'sexism' in tv industry

TV presenter Laura Whitmore on how she juggles work and motherhood, how she relaxes after a busy day and the sexism she's come across in the TV industry...

Irish-born Laura Whitmore is one of the most recognisable faces in the world of entertainment. A host of numerous TV shows – including almost three years at the helm of Love Island – podcaster, documentary maker, actress, radio star and writer, the 39-year-old is a much-loved household name.

A former journalist, her first step into television came when she became the face of MTV in 2008, and since then she has hardly been off our screens. From presenting This Morning and Survival of the Fittest to being a team captain on Celebrity Juice and the host of ITV2 reality show Love Island, Laura has also turned her hand to acting.

After starring in the hit West End show 2:22: A Ghost Story two years ago, she more recently went back to her journalistic roots to front a series for ITV, titled Laura Whitmore Investigates, which saw her delve into controversial issues, such as cyberstalking.

Here, she discusses sexism in the TV world, life post-Love Island and how her three-year-old daughter keeps her on her toes. She also talks about her work with McDonald’s and BBC Children in Need for the launch of Makin It – a programme supporting young people through the power of youth work.

How do you juggle your charity and presenting work, alongside being a mother?

I’m so against it when people say once you’ve had a kid, you can’t do this, and you can’t do that. I love being busy and my three-year-old daughter is exactly the same as me and my mother, she has so much energy and keeps me on my toes!

Also, I don’t see the podcast Partners in Crime I do with Iain as work. We are both obsessed with true crime and we film each episode at home once a week from our studio. Both our lives are so busy and it is nice to reunite to do this.

What was it like working on Love Island with your husband Iain? Did you manage to ever spend time together when filming away from home?

People don’t realise but we were never together on the show. We were not in the same country at the same time it was being filmed so we didn’t see each other.

As a feminist, what makes you feel empowered?

I really think it is important to speak out if you see injustice. I don’t like it when people try and pit women up against each other as I love successful women and think it is so right to support one another. I am a feminist and see a lot of sexism in the industry. The language used to describe women really needs to change. You wouldn’t see the same things being written about men that we have to put up with. There are definitely situations where women are talked about the way men have never been talked about.

I also love challenges and felt so empowered by the four-day-long Arctic trek for Comic Relief I did recently. It was so physical and totally out of my depth, to a point I felt vulnerable, but completing it I was able to prove to myself I can take on anything.

You’ve covered a lot of ground in the world of entertainment. What keeps you motivated?

I come from a big Irish family and hard work was instilled in me from an early age by my mother. I’ve always worked hard as things are not just going to land in your lap if you don’t try and grab opportunities and graft for them. I’m also very motivated by other people’s causes and like to speak up for them.

Is this one of the reasons why you are part of the new McDonald’s campaign?

Yes, absolutely. I’ve always be a strong supporter of Children in Need and love this campaign as it is all about bringing positivity in to the community and helping use the power of youth work to provide safe, welcoming spaces in the restaurants. As part of the campaign, I had the pleasure of meeting some inspirational youth workers and I was humbled by the lifeline and safety net they offer the youngsters they support, in a bid to provide training and opportunities for them in our communities.

When you are not working, what do you like to do?

I am a huge fan of reformer Pilates which is so good as I love feeling strong in my body and it really helps with my mental health too. I also run, meditate and love a bath. There were times when I always said yes to everything that came my way as I never like to say no but I also know the importance of having time to myself. One life lesson I’ve learnt is it is okay to say no.

Laura Whitmore is supporting the launch of Makin' It by McDonald’s and BBC Children in Need. The campaign will see 500 new youth workers recruited nationwide to give young people support and greater opportunity to succeed.

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