Love Island presenter Maya Jama quits after three years
Jama announced her departure on Instagram, citing a desire to pursue new career directions after a stint on the BBC's Celebrity Traitors.
By Grace Anderson ·
Maya Jama confirmed on Sunday that she is stepping down as the host of the reality series Love Island. The 32 year old media personality posted a video compilation of her time on the show to her Instagram account to mark the end of her three year tenure. She stated that the timing feels right for her to move in a different professional direction.
Jama took over the presenting role from Laura Whitmore when the show returned for its ninth series in early 2023. Prior to Jama's appointment, the position had been linked to Caroline Flack, who left the franchise in 2019. Whitmore held the post for one season before Jama was hired for the following run.
The announcement followed Jama's recent appearance on the BBC programme Celebrity Traitors. She competed as a traitor and remained undetected by other contestants until the final episode. The Times reported that this performance increased her market value, with estimates suggesting she could now command fees of up to 1 million pounds per deal.
In her written statement, Jama described her time on the show as an unforgettable journey. She recalled starting the role at age 28 and said she enjoyed every aspect of the production, including the live shows and fire pit discussions. She noted that personal growth requires taking occasional leaps into the unknown.
ITV issued a statement praising Jama for her contributions over the past three years. The network described her as a fantastic and much loved host and wished her well in her future endeavors. Jama said she would continue to support the production team from the sidelines.
Jama's career in broadcasting began when she moved to London at age 16. She co hosted the shows Trending Live on 4Music and Cannonball on ITV before moving to BBC Radio 1 to present on weekends. In 2017 she became the youngest person to co host the Mobo awards on Channel 5 alongside Marvin Humes of the group JLS.
Her departure leaves the network to search for a new face to lead the programme. Jama's time on the show coincided with high ratings and a dedicated audience. Her exit marks the conclusion of the current hosting era for the British summer television staple.
