Love Island fans were shocked when host Laura Whitmore announced that she has quit the dating show and fans ask who is replacing Laura Whitmore on Love Island?
The summer Love Island 2022 series might be over but the countdown to the Winter series and 2023 is not too far away, as a fresh batch of singles prepare to find love like these other Love Island couples.
And though many have been asking why did Laura Whitmore quit Love Island, even more want to know who will be taking over. We look at who is now confirmed to replace her...
Who is replacing Laura Whitmore on Love Island?
Maya Jama is replacing Laura Whitmore as Love Island host, ITV confirmed.
Maya, 28, who will begin hosting the first of two series filmed in South Africa from early 2023, said in a statement, "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."
Both Maya and Love Island shared the news on their social media channels, with a video clip of Maya scrolling through stories about herself in the media about being a rumoured host.
Love Island captioned the video, "Okay, the rumours are true Say hey to your brand-new #LoveIsland host @mayajama!"
And Maya commented, "SO BLOODY EXCITED. GET ME ON THAT ISLAND. ❤️"
Bets on who is replacing Laura Whitmore on Love Island began when news broke of Laura's departure from the show, with Inbetweeners and Celebrity Juice star Emily Atack (5/1) and former Love Island star Maura Higgins (5/1) among the favourites, according to MyBettingSites which previously released a list of potential contenders of which Maya Jama was odds-on favourite at 2/1.
Laura Whitmore congratulated her, "Yes girl!! So delighted for you! You’re gonna be fab❤️xx"
And fans are delighted too. One commented, " They couldn’t have hired someone better!!!!!! 👏🏽"
Another fan put, "Yessssssssssssss!!!!!! Congratulations 🙌🏾✨"
And a third wrote, "match made in heaven!😁"
Before it revealed who will be replacing Laura as host of the ITV2 dating show and Love Island Aftersun, the show released a statement following Laura's departure, it read, "Sadly Laura Whitmore has chosen to leave Love Island. Laura has been a fantastic host across the last three series’ of the show. We’re 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."
Laura seemingly hinted at knowing who the replacement was when she told fans "know you'll be in safe hands" as she made her shock exit announcement.
Her statement read, "Some news! I won’t be hosting the next series of Love island. 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. I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands."
And speaking about Maya Jama as the new host, Director of Reality Programming & Acquisitions, 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.
"Cool, charming and charismatic, I speak for us all when I say Maya will also bring a unique presenting style to the show, as did Laura and, of course, the very much missed Caroline Flack. We’re very pleased to have her on board."
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