ITVMaya Jama has been confirmed as the new host of Love Island, taking over from Laura Whitmore.
The 28-year-old TV and radio presenter will begin her hosting duties when the popular ITV2 dating show returns to screens for its ninth series in early 2023.
Jama was rumoured to have accepted the coveted role after Laura Whitmore quit following the latest series in the summer.
She 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.”
Known for TV shows including Glow Up and Save Our Summer, as well as being a former Radio 1 presenter, she will start her hosting duties for the second-ever winter edition of Love Island early next year.
She was initially touted as a potential host after it was confirmed that Caroline Flack would be stepping down as host of the programme in 2019, before the role was given to Whitmore, 37.
In an announcement on the official Love Island Instagram, she can be seen scrolling through articles rumouring her as the next host of the show, before picking up a personalised Love Island water bottle as the camera pans out to also reveal a Love Island suitcase with “Maya” embossed on it in pink.
Paul Mortimer, director of reality programming and acquisitions and controller at ITV2, ITVBe and CITV, said: “Finding a new host to follow the wonderful Laura Whitmore was never going to be easy.
“In Maya Jama though, we have another high-profile fan of the show who’ll be a great addition to the Love Island family.
“Cool, charming and charismatic, I speak for us all when I say Maya will also bring a unique presenting style to the show, as did Laura and, of course, the very much missed Caroline Flack. We’re very pleased to have her on board.”
Record-breaking viewing figures saw Love Island become the most-watched series ever on ITV Hub in 2022, with more than 269 million streams this summer.
Returning first to South Africa, then followed by Majorca, for two series next year, lovestruck singletons will be guided through the twists and turns of coupling up in the iconic villa surroundings by the brand-new host.
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