Television and radio presenter Maya Jama has announced her departure from hosting the reality dating show Love Island, concluding a three-year tenure in the role. The 32-year-old shared her decision via Instagram, posting a highlights reel from her time on the programme and stating it was "time to throw myself into something new".
According to BBC News, Jama expressed gratitude to the show's team and audience while reflecting on her journey.
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,she said in her announcement.
Jama's exit arrives shortly after her appearance as a contestant on Celebrity Traitors, where she competed as a traitor alongside actor Richard E Grant, YouTuber King Kenny and comedian James Acaster. Though she did not win the competition, media commentary suggested her performance demonstrated her range as a television personality beyond her Love Island role, with one observer noting she had emerged as a winner of sorts by portraying herself as "less like the presenter of Love Island and more like a genuinely versatile television star".
In her Instagram statement, Jama reflected on her hosting experience.
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.She added:
I've always believed that to truly grow, you have to take a leap every now and then.
Jama assumed the hosting position in 2023, taking over from Laura Whitmore, who had herself succeeded original host Caroline Flack. Beyond the main series, Jama also hosted the spin-offs Love Island: Games and Love Island: All Stars, expanding her responsibilities across the franchise.
An ITV spokesperson responded to her departure:
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.No confirmed successor has been announced, though ITV is expected to reveal one in due course.
Sources close to the situation indicated that Jama's departure was amicable and unsurprising given her expanding professional commitments. Her decision to step away reflects a broader shift in her career trajectory, as she pursues opportunities in acting and other television ventures.
How did Maya Jama build her career before Love Island?
Jama first established herself through radio, securing a role on Rinse FM before joining BBC Radio 1 in 2018. Her television career expanded significantly over the following years, encompassing Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer and ITV2's Don't Hate the Playaz. In 2021, she became the host of BBC Three's Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star, a position that raised her profile considerably.
Her early ambitions in entertainment were evident from her teenage years. At 15, she auditioned for the cult Channel 4 series Skins, set in her hometown of Bristol, reaching the final stage for a role in the show that launched the careers of actors Daniel Kaluuya and Dev Patel. She relocated to London at 16 to pursue her entertainment career, beginning with a weekly music video countdown for production company JumpOff TV before joining MTV in 2014 as a presenter on The Wrap Up. In 2017, she became the youngest person to host the MOBO Awards, alongside Marvin Humes, cementing her status as a rising television talent.
What are Jama's recent ventures beyond Love Island?
Beyond her hosting duties, Jama has expanded into acting. She made her acting debut in the second series of Guy Ritchie's Netflix drama The Gentlemen, appearing alongside Theo James and Kaya Scodelario. Her recent appearance on Celebrity Traitors, watched by millions, further demonstrated her versatility and willingness to take on challenging roles in different formats.
Jama's trajectory reflects a deliberate strategy to diversify her career. Her success on Celebrity Traitors generated industry speculation about her market value, with reports suggesting she could command substantial fees for future projects. This momentum, combined with her acting ambitions, appears to have influenced her decision to step away from the daily demands of hosting Love Island.
What happens next for Love Island?
Love Island: All Stars is scheduled to film in South Africa in January 2027, marking the next major production for the franchise. The search for Jama's replacement will likely intensify as the production timeline approaches, with ITV expected to announce her successor in the coming weeks.
Jama's departure marks the end of a significant chapter for both the presenter and the show. Her three-year tenure saw the programme continue its popularity while establishing her as one of British television's most recognisable faces. As she pursues new creative directions, her legacy on Love Island remains defined by her professionalism, warmth, and commitment to the show's success.
