Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@mayajama
Topics: News, TV And Film, Love Island
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Gabriella Ferlita
It's official, Maya Jama has been confirmed to be the new host of Love Island.
ITV confirmed today (12 October) that the presenter will be heading up the upcoming series. Check out the announcement video here:
The ever-popular dating show will return for its 9th series in early 2023, with the new presenter becoming the face of the series.
Taking to Instagram, the reality series account put a stop to the rumours surrounding the new host, announcing: "Okay, the rumours are true. Say hey to your brand-new #LoveIsland host @mayajama!"
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In response, Maya added in the comments: "SO BLOODY EXCITED! GET ME ON THAT ISLAND."
We've got to say, we're probably just as excited as she is to start!
In a statement provided by ITV, Maya said: "I’ve always been such a massive Love Island fan and I’m so excited to be hosting one of the nation’s favourite shows! I can’t wait to get into the Villa to meet all of the Islanders.”
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The previous host of the reality series, Laura Whitmore, previously announced she was stepping down from hosting the show, saying there were elements she simply found too 'difficult' to continue with, including travel commitments.
Whitmore previously announced in August that she would no longer be hosting Love Island in a message to fans on Instagram, saying she had only ever intended to 'fill in' for former host Caroline Flack - who presented the show until 2019, before her death in 2020.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Whitmore wrote: "Some news! I won’t be hosting the next series of Love Island.
"There are certain elements of the show I’ve found very difficult that cannot be changed, some due to the format, including the flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects.
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"I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands. I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into three series."
She added: "I hope I did you proud, Caroline."
ITV said it would continue to work with the presenter on other projects, and that it was 'grateful' for her input to the dating show, which she has presented since January 2020.
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The channel said in a statement: "Laura has been a fantastic host across the last three series of the show. We are so grateful for everything she has brought to the programme but understand and respect her decision, and we look forward to working with her on upcoming ITV projects."