Helen Skelton will replace Laura Whitmore on BBC Radio Five Live

Helen Skelton will take over Laura Whitmore's slot on BBC Radio Five Live in the wake of the Love Island presenter's departure from the station.

In a tweet posted on Friday afternoon, the station announced that Blue Peter alum and Countryfile presenter Skelton will front "a new-look Sunday morning programme".

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Skelton's show will begin on 14 August and air from 10am until midday on Sundays, occupying the slot Whitmore has presented since 2018.

Skelton had previously fronted a weekly show in the later Sunday slot between 3pm and 6pm during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

Since joining Five Live, Whitmore's show has featured her reflections on the events of the week with the help of other famous faces.

Heidi Dawson, controller of BBC Radio Five Live, confirmed Whitmore's departure to The Sun earlier this week.

Read more: Laura Whitmore hits back at criticism from Love Island fans

"Laura has made the difficult ­decision to leave after a brilliant four years," said Dawson.

She added: "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."

Whitmore has acquired the high-profile job of Love Island presenter since she joined BBC Radio Five Live, replacing the late Caroline Flack in 2020.

She will front two series of the reality TV juggernaut in 2023, with the winter edition of the show returning earlier in the year alongside the traditional Majorca-set summer series.

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Skelton, meanwhile, rose to fame when she joined the Blue Peter roster in 2008 and stuck around on the children's show until 2013.

She has subsequently presented numerous sports programmes as well as Countryfile.

Watch: ITV defends Laura Whitmore amid Love Island Ofcom complaints