Presenter Maya Jama is stepping down as host of Love Island after three years, saying she desires to pursue newopportunities.
The 32-year-old introduced her departure on Instagram alongside a highlights reel from the ITV actuality present, thanking viewers and the manufacturing workforce for an “unforgettable time.”
“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 becheering you lot on from the sidelines forever,” she wrote.
Jama mentioned she started internet hosting the programme at 28 and had taken half in 9 collection.
“I’ve loved every slow-mo walk, fire pit and live show,” she mentioned, earlier than explaining her determination to go away.
“I’ve always believed that to truly grow, you have to take a leap every now and then.”
Jama took over from Laura Whitmore in 2023, securing one in every of her largest tv presenting roles.
An ITV spokesperson praised her contribution to the programme and wished her properly.
“Maya has been a fantastic and much loved host on Love Island – we thank her for everything she has brought to the showover the last three years and wish her every continued success,” the spokesperson mentioned.
Her departure follows an look on Celebrity Traitors, the place she competed as a traitor alongside actor Richard EGrant, YouTuber King Kenny and comic James Acaster.
Although she didn’t win the present, her efficiency attracted reward and prompted hypothesis about her future tv alternatives. The Times prompt she may command as much as £1m per deal.
Jama additionally made her performing debut within the second collection of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix drama The Gentlemen, starring alongside Theo James and Kaya Scodelario.
Her tv profession started after she moved to London at 16 to pursue alternatives in leisure.
She offered a weekly music video countdown for JumpOff TV earlier than becoming a member of MTV in 2014 as a presenter on The WrapUp.
In 2017, she turned the youngest particular person to host the MOBO Awards, alongside Marvin Humes.
She joined BBC Radio 1 in 2018 after constructing her profile via radio, together with work with Rinse FM. Her tv credit embrace Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer, ITV2’s Don’t Hate the Playaz and BBC Three’s Glow Up: Britain’s NextMake-Up Star, which she started internet hosting in 2021.
Jama had earlier auditioned for Channel 4 drama Skins at 15, reaching the ultimate stage for a task within the collection, which helped launch the careers of actors together with Daniel Kaluuya and Dev Patel.
Love Island stays one of many UK’s hottest actuality tv programmes, though it has confronted criticism over its portrayal of relationships and the welfare of contestants.
Ofcom has acquired tens of hundreds of complaints concerning the present over alleged misogynistic and bullying behaviour by contestants. The regulator has beforehand described the programme as “emotionally charged”, with “confrontational scenes” that might upset some viewers.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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