Presenter Maya Jama is stepping down as host of Love Island after three years, saying she wants to pursue newopportunities.
The 32-year-old announced her departure on Instagram alongside a highlights reel from the ITV reality show, thanking viewers and the production team for an “unforgettable time.”
“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 becheering you lot on from the sidelines forever,” she wrote.
Jama said she began hosting the programme at 28 and had taken part in nine series.
“I’ve loved every slow-mo walk, fire pit and live show,” she said, before explaining her decision to leave.
“I’ve always believed that to truly grow, you have to take a leap every now and then.”
Jama took over from Laura Whitmore in 2023, securing one of her biggest television presenting roles.
An ITV spokesperson praised her contribution to the programme and wished her well.
“Maya has been a fantastic and much loved host on Love Island – we thank her for everything she has brought to the showover the last three years and wish her every continued success,” the spokesperson said.
Her departure follows an appearance on Celebrity Traitors, where she competed as a traitor alongside actor Richard EGrant, YouTuber King Kenny and comedian James Acaster.
Although she did not win the show, her performance attracted praise and prompted speculation about her future television opportunities. The Times suggested she could command up to £1m per deal.
Jama also made her acting debut in the second series of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix drama The Gentlemen, starring alongside Theo James and Kaya Scodelario.
Her television career began after she moved to London at 16 to pursue opportunities in entertainment.
She presented a weekly music video countdown for JumpOff TV before joining MTV in 2014 as a presenter on The WrapUp.
In 2017, she became the youngest person to host the MOBO Awards, alongside Marvin Humes.
She joined BBC Radio 1 in 2018 after building her profile through radio, including work with Rinse FM. Her television credits include Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer, ITV2’s Don’t Hate the Playaz and BBC Three’s Glow Up: Britain’s NextMake-Up Star, which she began hosting in 2021.
Jama had earlier auditioned for Channel 4 drama Skins at 15, reaching the final stage for a role in the series, which helped launch the careers of actors including Daniel Kaluuya and Dev Patel.
Love Island remains one of the UK’s most popular reality television programmes, although it has faced criticism over its portrayal of relationships and the welfare of contestants.
Ofcom has received tens of thousands of complaints about the show over alleged misogynistic and bullying behaviour by contestants. The regulator has previously described the programme as “emotionally charged”, with “confrontational scenes” that could upset some viewers.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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