In less than a week's time, a brand spanking new group of sexy singletons will be walking through the doors of a lavish new villa in South Africa's 'Millionaire's Row'. As fans prepare to become fully invested in the second ever winter version of Love Island, they are expecting some huge changes as Laura Whitmore will not be leading the re-couplings.
The news of Bristolian presenter Maya Jama's arrival to the show came in October, after much speculation from the press and fans of the show. Maya will be the third host to grace the screen, picking up from where Laura left off after becoming the second face of the show in 2020.
Laura filled the shoes of the late Caroline Flack, who stepped away from Love Island in December 2019, just two months prior to her untimely death. After three seasons, Laura, 37, revealed that she would be leaving Love Island, and has since revealed the reason for her decision.
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Laura recently gave an interview to Psychologies magazine, in which she claimed that she would still be the face of Love Island if she had more freedom. She told the publication: "If I could [have done] things the way I wanted to, I'd probably still be doing it."
The presenter, who is married to Love Island narrator Iain Sterling, revealed that she struggled to remain unbiased during her time on Love Island, admitting that she sometimes wanted to ask contestants whether they were doing okay after leaving the villa, in addition to wanting to give her two pence on the events that unfold on the show.
On the topic of the show's contestants, the former showbiz reporter told Psycholgies: "There was only so much I can do as a host – I couldn't support them or not support them. I couldn't say anything.
"So you have to kind of go quiet, and that was hard for me because I like to be able to have those kind of conversations. If I could [have done] things the way I wanted to, I'd probably still be doing it."
Laura, who shares daughter Stevie Ré with Iain, revealed on social media that she was leaving Love Island after the eighth season wrapped up last summer. The mum-of-one confessed that she found flying to and from the villa 'very difficult', and emotionally penned that she hoped she did her late friend Caroline 'proud' after intending to step in for her for just one season.
Sharing the news on social media, Laura wrote in a statement: "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.
"I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into 3 series. I hope I did you proud Caroline."
Maya Jama will make her Love Island debut next week, as the reality show returns to ITV2 on Monday, January 16 at 9pm.
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