Maya Jama has quit Love Island after 9 seasons - who should replace her as host of ITV reality juggernaut?

Maya Jama is saying goodbye to Love Island as the presenter has announced she is exiting the series after three years as host.

The news came as a shock to fans as Jama shared the news on Instagram alongside a reel of her time on the programme, noting she was ready to "throw [herself] into something new".

"I started hosting the show aged 28 and during the 9 incredible series met the most wonderful humans along the way," Jama wrote. "I've loved every slow-mo walk, fire pit and live show. I'll forever be grateful for the experience."

She continued: "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."

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Jama was the third host of Love Island, taking over from Laura Whitmore in 2023, who stepped in for the late Caroline Flack following her passing.

Speculation has quickly begun as to who could be a shoo-in to replace Jama - especially with another season of All Stars due to begin in 2027.

Let's take a look at who could be the right fit to walk down those villa halls.

1. Olivia Attwood

Ever since appearing on Love Island in 2027, Olivia Attwood has remained a firm fixture on TV screens, including making appearances on other reality shows and even fronting a number of her own.

Since 2020, Attwood has presented and led seven of her own shows, including Getting Filthy Rich, Bad Boyfriends and The Heat, the latter two notably being ITV reality series.

Bad Boyfriends first launched in 2024 and was quickly renewed for a second season, after the first season amassed over 11 million streams on ITVX.

Attwood and ITV's strong relationship hints that she could be a natural move as host, and she is beloved by many, if her 2.8 million followers on Instagram alone is anything to go by.

While the UK Love Island has never had a former Islander as host, Maura Higgins's successful run as presenter on Love Island USA: Aftersun, could suggest a former Islander is the right move to keep the show engaging.

Unlike a presenter without ties to the programmes, Attwood brings in experience of the highs and lows the show can offer, something the Islanders could benefit from in a host.

2. AJ Odudu

AJ Odudu has become a firm fixture in the reality TV space thanks to her role as co-host of ITV's revival of Big Brother.

She's no stranger to a hosting gig, having also been a presenter on The Voice UK, The Big Breakfast and M&S: Dress the Nation. A handful of these shows have been on ITV, proving a strong relationship between her and the broadcaster.

With experience hosting live multiple nights a week and navigating tricky exit interviews, Odudu could be the perfect fit for Love Island.

Perhaps out of all these entries, she has the most experience in a host position and the skills required of a Love Island host. Based on Big Brother's usual release pattern, she'd potentially have the time...

3. Indiyah Polack

Another former Islander who has remained close to the ITV brand and is Indiyah Polack, a breakout star from 2022.

After placing third on the reality series, Polack quickly became intertwined with the show, working as a panellist on Aftersun from 2023 to 2025, as well as co-presenting Love Island: The Morning After podcast alongside Amy Hart.

Much like Attwood, having someone who was once in the villa as a contestant then as the host could offer a perspective other hosts have lacked. A lot of the moments the Islanders will be navigating, Polack will have done and could provide thoughtful insight to post-show interviews and those awkward dumpings.

4. Molly-Mae Hague

It sounds crazy, but hear me out...

Molly-Mae Hague is arguably the most successful person to have made a name for themselves after appearing on Love Island - so why wouldn't ITV want her as host?

While she hasn't gone down the presenting route, nor does she associate herself as much with the reality series, she is the one former Islander that many fans have stuck with since her time on the show, and those legions of fans that Hague took with her could be just the injection that the reality series needs.

It's an unlikely venture for Hague, who has launched her own businesses and is also a mother to two young children, but we can dream!

5. Vick Hope

Vick Hope was actually once tipped as a potential host for Love Island following Whitmore's exit in 2022 before the job ultimately went to Jama.

Hope certainly has the credentials, having presented Vick Hope's Breakfast Show, I'm a Celebrity... The Daily Drop and 2Awesome, as well as a backstage reporter on The Voice UK, The X Factor: Celebrity and The X Factor: The Band.

She has also been a mainstay on the radio waves, having hosted Capital Breakfast and Going Home with Vick Hope on BBC Radio 1.

While she might not be an obvious pick, especially due to her various other television and radio commitments, she bring a freshness to the show having not been associated with the series before.

All seasons of Love Island UK are available to watch on ITVX.

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