Maya Jama has reportedly got the 'jitters'' after landing the role of fronting the ITV2 Love Island Winter sun series.
The TV presenter, 28, jetted off to South Africa ahead of the new series launch on January 16th ready to welcome a brand new batch of singletons to a luxury love nest.
But before stepping foot on the plane, she let slip to a source she's 'nervous' after immediately saying 'yes' to the role but is determined to not be a 'carbon copy' of the previous presenters.
Maya, 28, is thought to want to put her own stamp on the role which is typically a huge ratings puller for the ITV network.
A source told new magazine: "Maya knows she has big boots to fill taking over from Laura and the job comes with pressure, so she's naturally nervous.
"But she's a great host and really wants to make the role her own."
Previous host Laura Whitmore quit the role in August after three years after taking over from Caroline Flack, who stepped down two months before taking her own life in December 2019.
The television presenter, shared with followers her journey to South Africa as she boarded a plane and settled down for the long haul flight.
She previously told how she was picked by the shows producers without an interview based on her previous presenting roles standing her in pole position for the Love Island gig.
She told The Times : 'Once you start doing TV, you meet a lot of producers, through different shows, and the heads will be aware of talent . . . That’s weird, to call yourself talent, isn’t it? I talk for a living. It’s not exactly tap dancing everywhere or performing a ballad.'
'''So I think I’ve always been in their eye line, but I was super young when the presenter shifts were happening in the past.''
But she admitted despite her time in the business she was still thrilled when the phone call came about the Love Island job.
Possibly due to her excitement she can't recall the exact way the offer came about, but she is sure she said 'yes' straight away adding: 'Of course! Golden ticket.''
Opening up on what she thinks makes a good Islander, Maya said: 'Someone that's looking for love, someone with a lively personality, somebody who is open and shares their feelings, but also someone that's not afraid to keep their options open and test the waters."
But Maya's own love life is up in air after splitting from NBA player partner Ben Simmons despite a potential proposal in 2021, according to reports, but further speculation surrounds her rekindling with her ex-rapper fella Stormzy.
