Love Island

Twitter Is Overjoyed With Maya Jama Being Love Island's New Host

She's our type on paper and on screen.

by Shahed Ezaydi
Maya Jama attends a celebration of Edward Enninful's new memoir "A Visible Man"
David M. Benett/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

After much discussion and speculation, Love Island fans finally have an answer as to who will be Laura Whitmore’s replacement on the ITV2 dating show. A long-time frontrunner for the job, Maya Jama will be taking on the hosting responsibilities when Winter Love Island returns in early 2023. “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,” Jama said in a statement.

Jama has been a fan-favourite to front Love Island for a number of years now, which she’s previously spoken about on BBC Radio 1’s The Reality Tea podcast. “It’s a nice feeling that people want you to do something. It’s nice that people trust you would be good at doing your job on such a big platform,” she admitted.

The dating series found itself without a host when Whitmore announced she was leaving Love Island in August, after filming for Season 8 wrapped. “There are certain elements of the show I’ve found very difficult, that cannot be changed some due to the format, including the flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects,” Whitmore explained. “I wish it was still possible, but know you’ll be in safe hands.”

Jama’s confirmed new role has garnered a wave of online reactions, and it’s got us all excited for when the series returns in the new year. See the best memes and tweets about Love Island’s new host, below.