‘Time to throw myself into something new,’ 32-year-old presenter announces on social media while hailing her ‘unforgettable time’ on the show
Maya Jama has announced she is stepping down as the host of Love Island after three years.
The 32-year-old presenter of the reality TV show made the announcement on Instagram.
Posting a highlights reel of herself on the programme, Jama said it was “time to throw myself into something new”.
“While my own Love Island journey has come to an end, I wish the show and the team all the success in the world, I’ll be cheering you lot on from the sidelines forever,” the TV and radio presenter said.
The move comes after Jama’s stint on the BBC’s Celebrity Traitors, as a traitor who breezed through the series undetected until the finale. Her popularity led to speculation in the Times that she could “get £1m per deal” thanks to her success.
Jama took over from Laura Whitmore as the host when the show returned for its ninth series early in 2023.
She was initially touted as a potential host after it was confirmed Caroline Flack would be stepping down as host in 2019, but the role was given to Whitmore.
Thanking fans and the production team on Love Island, she said she had an “unforgettable time” on the programme.
“I started hosting the show aged 28 and during the nine incredible series met the most wonderful humans along the way. I’ve loved every slow-mo walk, fire pit and live show.”
But she added: “I’ve always believed that to truly grow, you have to take a leap every now and then.”
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 moved to London when she was aged 16 to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. She began her broadcasting work co-hosting Trending Live on 4Music and Cannonball on ITV, before moving to present her BBC Radio 1 show on Fridays and Saturdays.
At 23, she became the youngest person to co-host the Mobo awards on Channel 5 in 2017, alongside the JLS star turned presenter Marvin Humes.
Explore more on these topicsReuse this content
Source: www.theguardian.com
