British television presenter Maya Jama has announced her departure from Love Island after three years at the helm of the popular reality television show, saying she is ready to explore new opportunities in her career.
The 32-year-old made the announcement through an Instagram post accompanied by a highlights reel capturing some of her memorable moments on the programme.
Jama described her time on the show as unforgettable, thanking the production team, contestants and fans for their support throughout 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 wrote.
The presenter revealed that she began hosting the programme at the age of 28 and had been part of nine series, during which she met several memorable personalities and experienced some of the show’s biggest moments.
She also explained that her decision to leave was driven by a desire for personal and professional growth.
“I’ve always believed that to truly grow, you have to take a leap every now and then,” Jama added, signalling her intention to venture into new projects.
Jama took over as the host of Love Island in 2023, replacing Laura Whitmore, who had hosted the programme following the departure of its original presenter, Caroline Flack.
The show, which remains one of Britain’s most popular reality television programmes, follows a group of contestants living together in a villa as they form romantic relationships, compete in challenges and face regular recouplings in the hope of finding love.
An ITV spokesperson praised Jama for her contribution, describing her as a fantastic and much-loved presenter.
“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 spokesperson said.
Her departure comes shortly after her appearance on Celebrity Traitors, where she competed as a Traitor alongside actor Richard E Grant, YouTuber King Kenny and comedian James Acaster.
Although she did not win the competition, her performance attracted widespread praise and renewed attention to her abilities as a television personality beyond reality show presenting.
Her appearance also sparked speculation about her growing commercial value, with reports suggesting she could command substantial earnings from future deals.
Jama has steadily built her career across radio and television. She first gained recognition through radio, including work at Rinse FM, before joining BBC Radio 1 in 2018.
She later presented several television programmes, including Channel 4’s Stand Up To Cancer and ITV2’s Don’t Hate the Playaz. In 2021, she took over as host of BBC Three’s Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star.
More recently, she made her acting debut in the second series of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix drama The Gentlemen, starring alongside Theo James and Kaya Scodelario.
Jama moved to London at the age of 16 to pursue a career in entertainment after growing up in Bristol. She began presenting music programmes before joining MTV in 2014.
Her exit marks the end of a successful chapter on Love Island, with attention now turning to who ITV will appoint as her successor and what the presenter will take on next.
