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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Daniel Bird

Maya Jama 'throws shade' after Ekin-Su claims Love Island bosses offered her ITV job

Love Island's new host Maya Jama has dropped a subtle amount of shade towards Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu  who was recently crowned the winner of the ITV dating series.

It comes days after the Turkish beauty claimed she had been asked to take over the presenting role after Laura Whitmore announced her departure after three seasons.

Following her exit, speculation was rife with many wondering who would eventually be announced, with Maya Jama being a firm favourite.

Meanwhile, Ekin-Su had recently claimed bosses had approached her to take on the job just months after she and Davide Sanclimenti won the show.

Maya Jama appears to have thrown shade at Ekin-Su on Twitter (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Speaking to PopSugar, she said: "I did get offered, I would've loved to do it, but I can't at the minute because of how busy I am.

"I said I'm not ready for it… I want proper training, I've done presenting before, but not to the level of Laura."

However, this has since been debunked with sources claiming bosses only had eyes for Maya who was their first choice.

Now, the Bristolian has reportedly liked and swiftly unliked a tweet, which suggested she had been informed she was in the running before anybody else.

Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu claimed Love Island bosses had approached her to take over the show – but has since appeared to deny the comment (Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images)
Sources had denied Ekin-Su's claims suggesting Maya was the only choice (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

While Maya has yet to speak publicly about her subtle dig, Ekin-Su has since taken to Twitter in view of her 99,600 followers and appeared to deny her comments, saying: "These rumours make me laugh!"

The presenter is yet to make her debut on the show but it's expected it'll be airing in the coming months due to the filming schedule for the winter series of  Love Island.

Following the announcement she would officially be fronting the show, Maya 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."

The star will make her debut on winter series of Love Island (Instagram/ @loveisland)
Maya revealed she was excited to get into the villa (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Burberry)

This year, the winter edition of Love Island will be filmed in South Africa, before the raven haired beauty jets off to Majorca to film the fan-favourite summer version of the dating programme.

Despite Laura stepping down, it appears she was over the moon for Maya as she responded to the announcement on Instagram, sharing the comment: "Yes girl!! So delighted for you! You're gonna be fab."

ITV's Director of Reality Programming & Acquisitions and Controller, ITV2, ItvBe & CITV, Paul Mortimer 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."

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033.

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