Maya Jama announced as new host of Love Island
The 28 year old will replace Laura Whitmore
Maya Jama is the new host of Love Island, ITV has announced.
The 28-year-old TV and radio presenter takes over from Laura Whitmore, who announced she was stepping down from the role in August.
Jama will begin her hosting duties when the hit ITV2 dating show returns to screens for its ninth series early next year.
She said: “I’ve always been such a massive Love Island fan and I’m so excited to be hosting one of the nation’s favourite shows.
“I can’t wait to get into the villa to meet all of the Islanders.”
Bristol-born Jama was initially touted as a potential host after it was confirmed that Caroline Flack would be stepping down as host of the programme in 2019, before the role was given to Whitmore, 37.
In an announcement video on the official Love Island Instagram account, Jama can be seen scrolling through articles rumouring her as the next host of the show, before picking up a personalised Love Island water bottle as the camera pans out to also reveal a Love Island suitcase with “Maya” embossed on it in pink.
Next year will see two series of Love Island, the first in South Africa early in 2023, and the second once again in Majorca during the summer.
Paul Mortimer, director of reality programming and acquisitions and controller at ITV2, ITVBe and CITV, said: “Finding a new host to follow the wonderful Laura Whitmore was never going to be easy.
“In Maya Jama though, we have another high-profile fan of the show who’ll be a great addition to the Love Island family.
“Cool, charming and charismatic, I speak for us all when I say Maya will also bring a unique presenting style to the show, as did Laura and, of course, the very much missed Caroline Flack. We’re very pleased to have her on board.”
Whitmore began presenting the show, and its spin-off series Aftersun, in 2020 after the death of former Love Island host Flack.
Her husband, comedian Iain Stirling, has provided the witty narration on the programme since 2015.
Jama began her broadcasting career co-hosting Trending Live on 4Music and Cannonball on ITV, before moving to present her BBC Radio 1 show on Fridays and Saturdays.
In 2017, a then-23-year-old Jama became the youngest person to co-host the Mobo Awards on Channel 5, alongside JLS star-turned-presenter Marvin Humes.
In January 2021, it was announced that Jama would be the new presenter of BBC Three’s Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star, replacing former presenter Stacey Dooley.
Later that year, Jama was also confirmed as the host of Simon Cowell’s music competition gameshow Walk The Line, however the show was cancelled after just one series.
She has appeared as a guest on a host of shows including Love Island: Aftersun, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year.
She parted ways with ex-boyfriend Stormzy in summer 2019 after more than four years together and earlier this year reportedly became engaged to American basketball player Ben Simmons.
Published: by Radio NewsHub