Maya Jama has stepped down as the host of Love Island, and ITV bosses are reportedly already considering her replacement. The 32-year-old presenter, who has hosted the show since 2023, announced her departure on Sunday evening, saying it was “time to try something new”.
Jama took over from Irish host Laura Whitmore and has also presented the Love Island: Games and Love Island: All Stars spin-offs. Producers had reportedly tried to persuade her to stay, with a source telling The Sun: “Execs went to great lengths to try and keep Maya, including pushing the show back in January. Instead of the second week it will now air much later in the month.”
Olivia Attwood tipped as frontrunner
According to reports, a number of names are being considered to take over when Love Island: All Stars returns in January. An insider said the role is “still best suited to a glam girl over a male but that’s up for discussion”.
“Olivia [Attwood] is an obvious frontrunner as she has such a close relationship with the production firm, Lifted, and even attended a big bosses’ wedding. But no decisions have been made nor formal talks undertaken,” the insider added. Attwood appeared on series three of Love Island and has presented several reality shows on ITV.
Other potential replacements include I’m A Celebrity star and YouTuber GK Barry, former Love Island star Chloe Burrows, who will appear on this year’s I’m A Celebrity, and Indiyah Polack, who previously hosted Love Island’s spin-off show. Maura Higgins is reportedly busy with engagements in the US, where she is set to host the US version of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! as well as Disney’s reboot of Blind Date.
Fans share their picks online
Fans have flooded social media with speculation over who should succeed Jama. One wrote on Reddit: “I'd love [Love Island Australia host] Sophie Monk and because LIAU is pre-filmed she'd be available for the live shows. I really wouldn't want to see Olivia do it. No ex islanders.”
Another offered: “What do people think of [podcast hosts] Ash Holme and Jack Remington? I think either of them, or even both together, would be good. I’ve enjoyed them when they’ve been on Aftersun or the Morning After podcast.” A third posted: “Kemi Rogers perhaps? (hosts the I'm A Celeb spin-off with Sam Thompson). Not a massive name but works for ITV, is young, pretty and seems like a warm/ empathetic person.” Someone else commented: “My money is on Olivia Attwood - she has history with successful itv reality programs, relationships with producers, known well in the fandom, live tv trained and polished.”
The Standard has contacted ITV for comment.
Jama thanks fans and team
In her departure statement, Jama said: “What an incredible era and what an unforgettable time I’ve had, it’s been far too much fun to put into words or a video, but as all good things must come to an end, it’s my time to step down as the host of my beloved Love Island.” She thanked fans for their support and the show’s “incredible” production team, adding: “I started hosting the show aged 28 and during the nine incredible series met the most wonderful humans along the way.”
An ITV spokesperson said: “Maya has been a fantastic and much loved host on Love Island – we thank her for everything she has brought to the show over the last three years and wish her every continued success.”
Jama recently appeared as a contestant on BBC reality gameshow Celebrity Traitors, where she was chosen as a traitor in its first episode and survived until the final, when she was banished by fellow traitor King Kenny. Despite Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft winning the show’s £83,000 prize pot for their charities, Jama donated an undisclosed amount to her charity Action for Children.
