Maya Jama quits Love Island hosting role as bosses reportedly weigh successors

The announcement

Maya Jama, 32, has quit as host of ITV's Love Island, ending three years in the role. She announced her departure on Instagram on the evening of Sunday, 8 November, posting a montage of highlights from the programme. She called it an unforgettable time and said it was her moment to step down from the show she had loved hosting.

In the same post she explained that she wanted to try something different, reflecting on her decision to leave.

“I've always believed that to truly grow, you have to take a leap every now and then, and now is my time to throw myself into something new.”

Career and spin-offs

Jama replaced Laura Whitmore as host in 2023, becoming the third star to take on the role. She also presented the Love Island: Games and Love Island: All Stars spin-offs. She started hosting aged 28 and worked through nine series of the show. Before Love Island she built her profile at Rinse FM and then joined BBC Radio 1 in 2018. She later presented Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer and ITV2's Don't Hate the Playaz, and took over as host of BBC Three's Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star in 2021.

A Celebrity Traitors run before the exit

Jama played a starring role as a Traitor on the 2026 series of The Celebrity Traitors, reaching the final. She was banished from the castle by fellow Traitor King Kenny, who held the deciding vote on her fate. Independent reported that she gained over 64,000 Instagram followers in October as a result of the series. The Times speculated that she could earn up to £1m per endorsement or business deal on the back of her profile.

Who could replace her

According to a source cited by The Sun, producers tried to keep Jama, including pushing the show back in January. An insider said bosses are considering a host of names, with no formal talks undertaken. The same insider called Olivia Attwood an obvious frontrunner because of her close relationship with production firm Lifted. Other names mentioned include GK Barry, Chloe Burrows and Indiyah Polack. Sources said Maura Higgins is busy with US engagements, including hosting the US version of I'm A Celebrity and Disney's reboot of Blind Date. Fans on Reddit also floated their own picks, but no source confirms any of them.

ITV's response

ITV described Jama as a fantastic and much loved host and thanked her for everything she brought to the show over the last three years. The broadcaster said it wished her every continued success.