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Entertainment
Charlotte Tutton & Barbara Hodgson

New ITV Love Island host 'confirmed' as Laura Whitmore replacement

TV favourite Maya Jama is set to take over as the new presenter of Love Island, according to reports.

The television and radio presenter and DJ host is apparently to take over at the helm of the ITV hit, filling the shoes of Laura Whitmore who left following the latest summer series, after finding "certain elements of the show very difficult".

Jama is set to first host both the comeback winter series of Love Island early next year, The Mirror said. The show will be making its comeback after two years off air and then the summer series in Majorca will follow.

Read more: Geordie hit Angels of the North to return for a fourth series

Reports that Jama is to join the long-running hit follow rumours that she was to fill the role. According to initial reports in The Sun contracts are now being finalised, with an ITV source telling it: “Maya was ITV’s dream option.

"She is fun, beautiful and a brilliant presenter. She was discussed as a possible replacement for Caroline two years ago but now the time is right.

"They think she’ll make the show her own and carry on from where Caroline left off. They’re just in the process of finalising the last few details - but barring any huge surprises she will be announced formally very soon."

The report added: "They are just dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.” The Mirror has reached out to representatives for Maya and for Love Island for comment on the story.

Whitmore left as show host after two years in the role, planning to pursue other projects and saying: "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."

In a message to fans, she referenced late host Caroline Flack, adding: "I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands. I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into three series. I hope I did you proud Caroline."

ITV added in a statement: "Laura has been a fantastic host across the last three series of the show. We are so grateful for everything she has brought to the programme but understand and respect her decision, and we look forward to working with her on upcoming ITV projects."

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