Maya Jama for Love Island 2025 / ITV
ITV’s hunt to find a replacement for Maya Jama as host of Love Island is reportedly going down to the wire.
Earlier this week Jama announced that she is stepping down from her role after nine series – and has since gone on to sign a seven-figure deal with Netflix.
According to the Daily Mail, producers are “nowhere near” hiring her replacement, with just weeks to go until a new series of Love Island: All Stars gets underway.
“There are crisis conversations going on at the top level of ITV between commissioners and senior producers as well as Lifted Entertainment [the show’s production company] about what’s happened,” a source told the newspaper.
“Love Island is not only a staple brand for them, but also a massive revenue earner. They have multiple sponsors for each series who have been spooked, as they were told Maya was returning to the show, because she led ITV to believe she was.”
The publication also says that ITV had been expecting Jama to take part in a photoshoot to promote the new series later this month but was left blindsided by her exit decision.
“She has left them all furious over how she handled everything,” the source alleged. “They genuinely have no idea who will replace her. You hear there are names in the running for the role but the truth is they have contacted none of the names.
“Right now the show has no host and pre-production is due to begin in two weeks. Obviously there have been multiple hosts but changes like this have never happened so close to a series.”
An ITV spokesperson responded: “There is no crisis. We absolutely wish Maya well and will confirm plans for Love Island 2027 in due course.”
Names linked with the hosting role in recent days include Olivia Attwood, Maura Higgins, Vick Hope, GK Barry and AJ Odudu.
