Television presenter Maya Jama has experienced a tumultuous start to the year, balancing her professional commitments with a distressing personal incident. The 31-year-old star has been hosting the latest series of ITV's flagship reality show, Love Island, which has been filming on location in South Africa over recent weeks.
Professional Duties and Personal Respite
As the face of the popular dating programme, Maya has been actively involved in the villa's dramatic proceedings. Her role requires regular appearances to deliver pivotal announcements and conduct exit interviews with eliminated contestants. However, during breaks from the rigorous filming schedule, the presenter has been capturing moments of relaxation under the South African sun.
On Thursday, Maya shared a glimpse into her leisurely afternoon through social media. The clip featured her wearing a brown bikini, showcasing her natural beauty without makeup as she soaked up the rays. Accessorised with wired headphones and sunglasses perched atop her dark hair, she was seen enjoying a platter of fresh berries, clearly making the most of her downtime between filming commitments.
Devastating Home Invasion
This period of professional success and personal relaxation has been overshadowed by distressing news from the United Kingdom. Maya and her partner, Manchester City footballer Ruben Dias, have been left devastated after thieves targeted their £4 million rented home in Cheshire.
The burglary occurred last month while both occupants were absent – Ruben was playing an away match against Galatasaray in Turkey, and Maya was fulfilling her Love Island hosting duties in South Africa. Upon returning from his football commitment, the 28-year-old Portuguese defender discovered the property had been ransacked, with valuable items stolen.
Stolen Possessions and Emotional Impact
The intruders made off with thousands of pounds worth of belongings, including designer clothing, jewellery, and electronic devices. A source close to the couple revealed their profound distress, explaining that the property held special significance as their first home together after previously maintaining separate residences in London and Manchester.
"They are devastated," the insider disclosed. "The house is the first they have moved into as a couple and is very special to them. Thankfully, neither was at home, but they are very upset that their personal space has been invaded."
The source added that Maya had taken particular pride in establishing their shared home, documenting the experience extensively through social media posts featuring videos and photographs of the property.
The Property and Location
The couple's temporary home is an ultra-modern, 6,300 square foot mansion in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, which they reportedly rent for approximately £20,000 per month. Originally won through an Omaze prize draw by mother Emily Ward with a £25 ticket, the four-bedroom property boasts panoramic views, landscaped gardens, and a luxury indoor leisure suite.
Ironically, despite featuring sophisticated security systems, the home proved vulnerable to determined intruders. Cheshire Police confirmed they attended the address on Woodbrook Road after receiving reports of the burglary shortly after 11:10 PM on Wednesday, January 28th, finding evidence of forced entry and theft.
Cheshire's Celebrity Security Concerns
This incident highlights ongoing security concerns for high-profile residents in Cheshire's affluent areas, particularly the region known as the "Golden Triangle" encompassing Alderley Edge, Prestbury, and Wilmslow. This exclusive enclave has long attracted Premier League footballers and celebrities, including David and Victoria Beckham, Wayne and Coleen Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo during his Manchester United tenure.
Safety advisors have repeatedly warned about the particular risks facing celebrities in this region, where property values rank among the highest in northern England. The area has witnessed several similar incidents targeting sports stars and entertainers in recent years.
Recent Comparable Incidents
Just over a year ago, England footballer Jack Grealish suffered a similar violation when his £5.6 million Cheshire mansion was burgled on Boxing Day 2023, with thieves stealing approximately £1 million worth of jewellery while his family watched him play on television. Police investigations suggested the perpetrators may have had inside information about the property.
In another incident, former West Ham United striker Nicky Maynard and his wife Tara returned from dining out in Nantwich last March to discover their Cheshire home had been targeted by burglars. Similarly, Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards and her former Liverpool footballer fiancé Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fell victim to raiders who used a ladder to access an upstairs window of their Cheshire property in 2022, making off with valuable jewellery and designer handbags.
The Couple's Relationship and Response
Maya and Ruben's relationship became public knowledge in April last year after they attended a Baller League event together. The couple reportedly first connected at the European Music Awards (EMAs) in November 2024, when the television presenter caught the footballer's attention.
In his first public comments about their relationship, Ruben recently addressed the media attention surrounding their romance, telling The Telegraph: "No, I think that's the last thing you think about. We are just both aware of it, and there's no way around it. But at the end of the day, you don't make it about it. You make it about everything else, and then that's an extra you have to deal with and, obviously, be smart with it."
The couple celebrated their second Christmas together shortly before the burglary, enjoying a festive trip to Paris that included visits to Disneyland Paris and the Eiffel Tower. Maya shared photographs from their holiday, captioning them: "A very merry Christmas ❤️ Sending you all love."
Cheshire Police have confirmed that enquiries into the burglary are ongoing and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward through their official channels. Representatives for both Maya Jama and Ruben Dias have been contacted for comment regarding the incident.
