Laura Whitmore reveals her Irish cousin died from coronavirus

“It’s been a difficult year for so many people, and a lot of people have lost people before their time".

Laura Whitmore has spoken about her cousin who died during lockdown after contracting the coronavirus.

The Bray native said her cousin, who was in his 40s, passed away from the virus earlier this year.

Speaking on Women's Health 'Going for Goal' podcast, Laura said: “It’s been a difficult year for so many people, and a lot of people have lost people before their time.

“My cousin passed away of coronavirus during lockdown, he was only in his 40s in Ireland.”

The 35-year-old also lost her close friend, and fellow Love Island TV presenter, Caroline Flack in February.

“I think at the time I didn’t deal with it because I probably wasn’t in a position where I could, because I was still doing this show [Love Island] and I really didn’t know.

“I’ve never lost someone in my group of friends who is so young. It’s hard, I’d get tagged in something by a fan account of Caroline and I’ll think it’s Caroline and it’s only now it’s hit me that’s not her.”

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She explained that lockdown gave her the chance to mourn in private.

“I feel it’s okay to do a grieve privately if you choose to…I found it really difficult because it [Caroline’s death] was so public, that’s why lockdown was really great if I’m honest because I had that privacy, and I had that time.”

“I’m that person that doesn’t like to stay still and maybe to my detriment sometimes.

“I’ve always got a suitcase and I’m always going somewhere. I’ve been forced to stay still, and I think it’s been good for me….my body needed a break and needed a break badly when March came.

“I was forced to take a break. It has been so, so important for me to deal with things, a lot of things have happened this year.”