Maya Jama set to leave Love Island after next summer’s series – with stunning former contestant on course to replace her
MAYA Jama may leave Love Island — and Maura Higgins could replace her.
Sources say Maya, 30, is likely to walk away after next summer’s ITV2 series.
Meanwhile, Irish beauty Maura, 34, who appeared as a contestant in 2019, has been making waves across the Atlantic hosting Love Island USA: Aftersun.
A TV source said: “Maya adores hosting Love Island and thinks it’s a great fit for now.
“But she’s keen to leave on a high and keep her career moving forward on the right tracks.
“She is incredibly ambitious and would like to keep focusing on primetime presenting opportunities. She also has hopes of working in America and doesn’t want to be tied down.”
If she does go, bosses at ITV think Maura would be the perfect replacement, the source added.
They went on: “She has been building up her skills as a presenter and is very much part of the Love Island family. She also has the unique perspective of having appeared herself as a contestant.
“She’s just also had a successful stint on I’m A Celeb so the world is her oyster now.”
Maya, who famously dated Brit rapper Stormzy, 31, for several years, took over from Laura Whitmore as Love Island presenter in January 2023 , hosting two series a year ever since.
Last year she graced the cover of British Vogue and has landed a series of high profile campaigns for Rimmel, Dolce & Gabbana and hair extension brand Beauty Works.
Last month the Sun revealed that Maya had raked in £2.5million as one of the UK’s most in-demand presenters.
Accounts for her MIJ & Co Entertainment Ltd filed to Companies House show it holds cash deposits of £1.8million and has investments of £416,000.
She also paid a whopping corporation tax bill of almost £500,000, meaning a taxable income of around £2.5million.
Speaking last year, Maya, who was previously engaged to Basketball player Ben Simmons, 28, said she was still looking for love: “Actual love. That’s all I ever want. Just real love. I want a best friend that I’m in love with. And I have had that before.”