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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

Maya Jama becomes first host to break Love Island history with dazzling Aftersun debut

Everyone is obsessed with Maya Jama - and the latest viewing figures for Love Island Aftersun proves it.

Ever since the 28-year-old Bristolian star was announced as the new Love Island host, excitement has surrounded the new Winter series of the ITV2 dating show, and it's all thanks to Maya.

So much so that more viewers tuned in to Love Island's spin-off Aftersun on Sunday night than the main show as admirers of Maya were buzzed to see the new host present the live show for the very first time.

Early ratings show Sunday night's main episode of the ITV2 dating show was watched by a peak 1.51million viewers.

However, a whopping 1.82million tuned in to the Sunday spin-off, which shows a lot more of Maya's personality and natural presenting skills.

Maya has broken Love Island history (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
A whopping 1.82million tuned in to the Sunday spin-of to see Maya in action (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

The rating figures are further proof the magnetic new host remains the franchise's biggest draw this series.

Lifting the lid on Maya's record-breaking Aftersun debut, an ITV source told The Sun: "Spinoffs are not meant to be the main event. Maya is the shot in the arm Love Island needs."

It comes after Maya ensured she pulled out all the stops for her Aftersun debut, with the star dressing in a hot pink cut-out outfit which showed off her toned midriff.

The bubbly host sent fans wild with the risqué outfit, with viewers saying she was 'killing it' as she sat down to chat all things Love Island with her special celebrity guests.

Viewers gushed over Maya's natural presenting skills (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

On Sunday night, Maya opted for an off-the-shoulder ruffled pink dress which featured a cut-out detail across her entire stomach, showing off her flawless figure.

The star matched her outfit with a pair of bright pink strappy heels and went for a glamorous makeup look, complete with a nude lipstick.

Taking to Twitter, fans gushed over her outfit, with one person writing: "Usually skip aftersun but tuning in just to see Maya jama."

Another said: "Need this dress Maya Jama is wearing," while a third viewer wrote: "Maya Jama in this Hanifa dress just wow."

Maya made her Love Island debut on Sunday night (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

Maya was joined on the show by Radio One DJ Jordan North, reality star Sam Thompson and ex Love Islander Indiyah Polack.

Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page were also part of the star-studded line-up and chatted to Maya from behind a bar stocked with alcohol.

As the show went on, viewers took to social media to congratulate the panel.

"Already this aftersun is a hundred times better than every episode last season. It felt like nobody wanted to say it like it is. Indiyah and Maya are keeping it real and saying what we think, thank GOD," one fan raved.

The presenter has viewers hooked (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)
Fans insist that Maya is the best thing to happen to Love Island in years (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

Another added: "Maya Jama is a brilliant host at the aftersun on Sundays. She doesn’t interrupt, there's no squeaky voice, not too fast talking so we catch everything that’s said… and stunning. Best host to date."

"Maya's gonna make it so hard for me to skip Aftersun every week like I originally planned to. The woman is just so good at her job," agreed a third fan.

Maya Jama was announced as the new Love Island host back in October as she took over the role from Laura Whitmore.

Speaking about getting the job at the time, the star 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."

Love Island airs every night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

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