By Lauren Morris

Published: Monday, 06 June 2022 at 12:00 am


Season 8 of Love Island is here, which means the return of Iain’s Stirling terrifying commentary.

While there’s been a few changes for the 2022 series, including of course the Love Island 2022 line-up and new villa, the show’s narrator remains the same, with Iain back for his eighth stint.

And it’s business as usual for him, with Iain Stirling revealing why he won’t join Laura Whitmore on screen.

Speaking exclusively to RadioTimes.com, he said: “I’m happy being in the darkness and the ether. I’m just in the vibes, I don’t need to be in the front. Laura is very good at that, she does all that. It makes my life easier because I don’t have to do hair and make-up and stuff.”

He added: “I don’t have to put clothes on. I’m just naked in a cabin. Lockdown vibes. I’m basically going into another lockdown.”

As usual, Laura Whitmore will host the ITV2 dating show, after taking over from the former late host Caroline Flack in 2020.

Here’s everything you need to know about Love Island narrator Iain Stirling.

Who is Love Island narrator Iain Stirling?

Iain Stirling is the Scottish stand-up comedian, writer and television presenter who acts as the resident voiceover artist for reality dating show Love Island. He provides the witty – and occasionally savage – commentary over clips of the islanders’ antics that can be heard each series.

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He started his career as a CBBC presenter in 2009 alongside his puppet sidekick Hacker the Dog, and presented children’s programmes All Over the Place and panel show The Dog Ate My Homework, which won him a Children’s BAFTA in 2017.

Stirling started narrating Love Island on ITV2 in 2015, which raised his public profile as the show grew in popularity. He went on to compete in the eighth series of Taskmaster on Dave and currently presents the ITV2 gameshow CelebAbility, which sees a team of famous faces take on members of the public in a series of challenges.

Stirling recently released a book – Not F**king Ready to Adult – and is touring his stand-up show Failing Upwards this year. He also has a scripted comedy series, Buffering, coming soon to ITV2.

Where have I seen Iain before?

In addition to his CBBC tenure, Stirling has appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show, The Russell Howard Hour and Sky One’s Comedians Watching Football with Friends.

He was one of six comedians to feature on Comedy Central’s Comedy Bus, a series where each episode, one comic takes the others back to their hometown – which for Stirling is Edinburgh.

He has appeared as a guest on various episodes of Love Island: Aftersun – the reality series’ sister show.

How long has Iain been the narrator on Love Island?

Stirling has narrated Love Island since its first series in 2015. He did not narrate the 2005 version of the show, which was presented by Patrick Kielty, Kelly Brook and Fearne Cotton, and cancelled after two series.

Caroline Flack presented the first five series of Love Island starting in 2015. She stepped down in December 2019 and sadly died in February 2020.

Stirling’s wife Laura Whitmore hosted the winter series in Cape Town, and has been the presenter ever since.

How long has Iain been in a relationship with Laura Whitmore?

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Stirling has been dating Irish radio and TV presenter Laura Whitmore officially since August 2017. The couple have lived in their North London home together since December 2018 and share a dog named Mick.

They became parents to their first child together last year and also tied the knot.

Before landing her Love Island presenting job, Whitmore presented series 11 of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here: Extra Camp and took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2016. She currently presents her own show on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Love Island starts tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox. If you’re looking for something else to watch, check out our TV Guide. Visit our Entertainment hub for all the latest news.The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.