Maya Jama is reportedly planning to step down from her role as Love Island presenter when the ITV2 dating show returns next summer.
The 30-year-old TV star, who took over hosting duties from Laura Whitmore in January 2023, initially described the role as a dream come true. However, sources now suggest that Maya is likely to bow out after the next season, marking the end of her time on the show.
Speculation is already mounting over who could replace her, with former Love Island star Maura Higgins rumored to be the frontrunner. The Irish TV personality, 34, first rose to fame as a contestant on the 2019 season of Love Island alongside Molly-Mae Hague and Amber Gill.
Maura has since gained even more popularity, recently amassing over a million Instagram followers during her stint on I ‘m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Her vibrant personality reportedly caught the attention of TV executives, who now see her as a strong candidate for the hosting role.
Currently presenting Love Island USA: Aftersun, Maura has been expanding her career internationally, further solidifying her appeal to producers.
A source told The Sun : “Maya loves hosting Love Island and sees it as a great fit for now. But she’s keen to leave on a high and focus on other career opportunities, particularly in primetime TV. She has ambitions to work in the U.S. and doesn’t want to be tied down.
“While Maya remains part of the Love Island family, she’s also been honing her skills and preparing for even bigger roles in the entertainment industry.”
The insider added, “Maura is a natural choice to take over. She has the unique perspective of having been a contestant herself and has just finished a successful stint on I’m A Celeb. The world is her oyster now.”
Maya’s departure rumors come during a period of immense career success. She reportedly earned £2.5 million last year, making her one of the UK’s most sought-after TV presenters. In addition to Love Island and its spin-off Love Island Games , Maya hosted the BRIT Awards and Comic Relief this year.
Her busy schedule shows no signs of slowing down. She was recently confirmed as a panelist on the upcoming season of The Masked Singer and continues to rake in substantial earnings through endorsements and ad campaigns for major brands like McDonald’s, Rimmel London, and Dolce & Gabbana.
For now, fans will have to wait and see whether Maya officially announces her departure—and if Maura steps into her shoes as the new face of Love Island .
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletterhere.