Maya Jama ends 9-series run as Love Island UK host

Maya Jama announced on Instagram on Sunday that she is leaving as host of ITV’s Love Island UK after nine series, and ITV thanked her.

Jama, 32, shared the announcement with a video montage of moments from her time on the show.

“What an incredible era and what an unforgettable time I've had, it's been far too much fun to put into words or a video..but as all good things must come to an end, it's my time to step down as the host of my beloved Love Island,” Jama wrote.

She looked back on joining the show at 28. “I started hosting the show aged 28 and during the 9 incredible series met the most wonderful humans along the way,” she said. “I've loved every slow-mo walk, fire pit and live show.”

“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,” Jama added.

Jama’s next project was unclear at the time of her announcement.

Jama thanked the production team and those who had supported her bid to host. “The show really does belong to the people who watch it and embrace it year after year,” she wrote, adding that she would be “cheering you lot on from the sidelines forever.”

An ITV spokesperson for Love Island said, “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.”

The official Love Island account responded to Jama’s post with “The end of an iconic era 😭💛,” as shown in Metro. On her Instagram Story, Jama described the moment as an era ending and said she felt emotional.

Former contestant Amy Hart wrote, “Thanks for always being so kind!” Hart added, “Learnt a lot from you!! Xx.” Casey O'Gorman said it had been a pleasure working with Jama, while Ellie Chadwick called her “the best.”

ITV has yet to confirm Jama’s replacement. The Daily Mail reported that an announcement is expected within weeks and the next Love Island: All Stars series is due in South Africa in January.

Jama had previously dismissed reports of her departure. “So it's fake news that I'm leaving, but I always decide at the end of a series if I'm going to continue the next year,” she told Deadline in July, after the summer series. “So we'll find out,” she said.

“Every time I do a series — that's happened for the last three years — they'll say, 'Maya is leaving,'” Jama told Deadline in the same July interview. “And I think they just throw it out there just in case.”

Jama took over from Laura Whitmore with the show’s ninth season. Whitmore had succeeded original host Caroline Flack, who has since died. Jama also hosted Love Island Aftersun and the spinoffs Love Island Games and Love Island All Stars.

In the second season of BBC One’s The Celebrity Traitors, Jama made the final as a Traitor. Fellow Traitor King Kenny voted against Jama in the last round-table vote, and she was banished. Faithfuls Romesh Ranganathan and Sebastian Croft won.

Jama donated what she would have won to Action for Children, which confirmed she gave £83,500.

This year, Jama made her acting debut as Aisha in the second season of Guy Ritchie's Netflix series The Gentlemen. She will also appear in season three. Jama also serves as a judge for The Masked Singer UK.

Jama is filming the third series of The Gentlemen and missed the Celebrity Traitors Uncloaked finale recording while on set, according to the Daily Mail.