Maya Jama's Love Island replacement 'obvious frontrunner' named as bosses scramble after she quits show

Celebrity Traitors star Maya Jama has quit her role as the host of Love Island - and bosses are reportedly already scrambling to find a replacement.

She announced her departure with an emotional statement on Sunday night, declaring that it was “time to try something new”.

Producers had reportedly been trying to entice Jama 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.”

Maya Jama has quit as host of Love Island

ITV

“The feeling is the role is still best suited to a glam girl over a male but that’s up for discussion,” an insider said.

“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.”

Attwood appeared on series three of Love Island and has gone on to present a series of 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.

As for fan-favourite Maura Higgins, sources said she is busy with her engagements in the US. 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 flooded social media with their speculation over who will be Jama’s successor, with one writing 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.”

Olivia Attwood is thought to be a contender to replace her

Getty

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 said of her departure: “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.

“Firstly, I want to thank all of the people who rooted so hard for me to host the show in the first place. I wouldn’t change a thing.

“To the fans of the show, thank you for every supportive message and every single time you’ve tuned in during my time as host, I’m forever grateful to you all. The show really does belong to the people who watch it and embrace it year after year.”

Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk was put forward by fans

Getty

She also thanked the programme’s “incredible” production team, who she said brought “this iconic show to life”.

Jama added: “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. I’ll forever be grateful for the experience.

“But 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.

“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 post was accompanied by a video of Jama’s highlights on the show.

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.”

The presenter survived on the show until its final, where she was banished from the castle by fellow traitor King Kenny, after he had the deciding vote on her fate.

Despite comedian Romesh Ranganathan and actor Sebastian Croft winning the show’s £83,000 prize pot for their charities, Jama still donated an undisclosed amount to her charity Action for Children.

Love Island, which has aired since 2015 when it was revived from the 2000s TV show of the same name, sees a group of contestants looking for love live in isolation from the outside world, where they must couple up with another islander to survive on the show.

Prior to Jama, Whitmore had hosted the show since 2020 when she took over from the late Caroline Flack – who helmed the show since its reboot in 2015.