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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Entertainment
George Thorpe

Maya Jama favourite for Love Island job as ITV searches for new presenter

Bristol's Maya Jama has become the favourite to replace Laura Whitmore as Love Island host, according to a leading bookmaker. Bet Victor has priced the 28-year-old former Cotham School pupil at 5/4 in their latest odds.

This puts her about former Love Island contestant Maura Higgins (4/1) and TV presenter Vick Hope (9/2). Actress Emily Atack is currently priced at 7/1 to replace Whitmore, who announced she is leaving the ITV2 show having taken over the host role in 2020 following Caroline Flack's death.

It is not the only presenting job at ITV2 that Jama is being tipped for. It was recently reported she is among the favourites to become the new host of Big Brother when it returns to UK TV screens next year on the channel.

Read more: Maya Jama given 8-1 odds of hosting Big Brother reboot

Jama has plenty of presenting experience under her belt already having hosted shows like The Circle, Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star and Walk The Line and also has presented radio shows. She has also featured as a panellist on ITV's Loose Women and hosted award ceremonies including the MOBOs and BAFTAs.

Discussing the latest odds, Bet Victor spokesperson Sam Boswell said: "Last week Laura Whitmore shocked fans when she announced she was stepping down as Love Island host, after presenting the show for three series. Favourite to replace Laura Whitmore is Maya Jama at 5/4, she’s no stranger to presenting, recently appearing on BBC One’s Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer alongside host Peter Crouch and Alex Horne.

"She’s also the presenter of the BBC Three competition Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star. Maya had a two-year stint on BBC Radio 1 too, where she presented her own show on Fridays and Saturdays.

"Second favourite at 4/1 is ex-Love Island contestant Maura Higgins and the much-loved TV personality, she finished in fourth place on the fifth series of Love Island 2019 and also appeared in Dancing on Ice. Third favourite is Newcastle TV and radio host Vick Hope at 9/2.

"Hope is best known for her work presenting the Capital Breakfast show alongside Roman Kemp and Sonny Jay since 2017, before joining the Radio 1’s team in 2020 when she was announced as the co-host alongside Jordan North for the drive time slot. Other names include Emily Atack at 7/1, Sam Thompson at 8/1, Rochelle Humes at 12/1 and AJ Odudu at 14/1."

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