New Love Island host Maya Jama was a big hit with fans as she presented the latest series for the first time. The TV and radio presenter, aged 28, has taken over from former host Laura Whitmore after she made the decision to leave in August 2022.
The new series has a James Bond actress, a farmer, and the show’s first partially blind contestant all enter the villa, each hoping to find love and win the cash prize. The launch of the ITV2 dating show’s ninth series saw a fresh crop of islanders enter a luxury villa in South Africa on Monday night (Jan 16).
The viewers were so amazed at the host that they said the show should just crown her champion and give her the £50,000 prize. She performed the show’s famous slow motion entrance and left fans enthralled, the MEN reported.
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@JMarleyWrites tweeted: “I mean Maya Jama has just shut down the whole show with that entrance.” @TeeXCI commented: “Maya Jama’s beauty is different man. Just give her the £50k and wrap up the series.”
@Mrqqus echoed: “Cancel the season and give Maya Jama the money.” @Michemingg praised: “Maya looks GOODT.” @Kaziamelx wrote: “Maya Jama looking sensational.” @Wxvy_taz gasped: “Maya looks goooooodddd.” @Charly__O remarked: “Maya is stunning man.” And @Amiraaaaa said: “Maya looks stunning.”
As the islanders settled into their new home and began to get to know each other, the show’s new host Maya Jama made a surprise visit and broke the news of a late arrival. The presenter told the islanders: “As you know, this is Love Island and we always say expect the unexpected, and you never know when someone will walk through that door.
“The public have been voting on who should be the first bombshell to enter the Love Island villa. Islanders, get ready, this is Tom.” After a public vote, 23-year-old semi-pro footballer Tom Clare from Barnsley was chosen to enter the villa as the first bombshell of the series.
Maya Jama said agreeing to host the show, which launched in 2015, was a “no-brainer” as she has been a massive fan for years. The TV and radio presenter will also present the usual summer edition in Majorca later in the year.
Maya admitted that her look for the slow-motion entrance was the one she has found most challenging. She said previously: “The biggest pressure is the slow-motion walk to enter – so much pressure. (The outfit) has to look good in the wind, you have to be able to move in it, you’ve got to be saucy but not too saucy.”
The new series is the show’s first winter series since before the coronavirus pandemic.
Love Island airs at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
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