Maya Jama quits Love Island to ‘throw myself into something new’

Celebrity Traitors star Maya Jama has announced that she has quit her role as the host of Love Island to “throw myself into something new”.

The 32-year-old has presented the ITV reality show since 2023, when she replaced Irish host Laura Whitmore, and has also presented the Love Island: Games and Love Island: All Stars spin-offs.

In a post on Instagram, Jama said: “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.”

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.

It comes after Jama appeared on The Celebrity Traitors (Ian West/PA)

PA Wire

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.”

It comes after Jama appeared as a contestant on BBC reality gameshow Celebrity Traitors last month, where she was chosen as a traitor in its first episode.

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.