The new host of Love Island, Maya Jama, has revealed which former islander she'd want to see return to the villa.Ā
The TV presenter and DJ, 28, has opened up about presenting the new series which is due to begin in South Africa on Monday, January 16.Ā
ITV confirmed that Jama would be taking over from former host Laura Whitmore in October.Ā
In the lead-up to her Love Island debut, the Glow Up: Britain's Next Make Up Star presenter has teased fans with a memorable trailer.
overnight flight , ello South Africa šæš¦ āš½ pic.twitter.com/g8D31ddWQu
ā Maya Jama (@MayaJama) January 8, 2023
Maya Jama isĀ 'counting downĀ the seconds' until Love Island starts
The incoming host was featuredĀ riding a pink mechanical bull as it teased that things are "about to get hotter up in 2023".
Jama will be presenting the show alongside the programme's iconic narrator Iain Stirling as the islanders crack on, graft each other and cause all sorts of drama.
Speaking to ITV about how it feels to be the host of Love Island, she said: "It feels amazing, itās really, really exciting. Itās been a weird feeling because you find out and then itās the wait and the build-up.
"I just canāt wait for it to start. Iām counting down the seconds and the days to get to South Africa."
Bombshell alert š„
ā ITV (@ITV) January 6, 2023
We pulled new host @MayaJama for a chat #LoveIsland š pic.twitter.com/oSJ3K9GOtI
Live from London, Jama will be presentingĀ Love Island: Aftersun which will be available to watch on ITV2 and ITVX and promises the same exclusive access to all the goings on in the villa.
When asked if it was difficultĀ to keep her new job a secret, Jama admitted: "Really hard, especially when thereās loads of rumours flying around. Iām not a good liar.
"Even my mum I didnāt tell because sheād get too excited and tell people. So I had to not even tell my close family."
READ MORE:Ā Ā See the items banned from the Love Island villa and number 5 might surprise you
READ MORE: See inside the new Love Island villa in South Africa ahead of 2023 winter seriesĀ
ITV also quizzed the presenter on what she was most looking forward to now that she is part of the show.Ā
Jama replied: "Iām excited to see the Villa! Iām excited to see the size of it, the beds, walk aroundā¦ you watch it on TV and it looks humongous."
The interview comes after theĀ broadcaster has already given us a sneak peek into the new villa and has confirmed the first ten islanders of the new series.Ā
The 2023 lineup includesĀ a James Bond actress and Ring girl, a TV salesman, an airport security officer and a farmer among this year's singletons.
Maya Jama reveals she wants ex islander Theo Campbell to return to Love Island
The broadcaster also asked the host if there was an islander that she would like to see return to the villa this year following former contestant Adam Collard surprise re-appearance last series.
Jama admitted: "Theo! I found him hilarious. That line about āleave with themā - it was that. We were all feeling it and Theo actually said it. You need that honesty sometimes!"
Theo Campbell appeared on series 3 of Love Island and the Bath-born professional athlete left quite the legacy during his time in the villa.Ā
Theo arrived in the villa on Day 32Ā and was dumped by Day 41.
After his stint in the villa, Theo went on to date 2018 contestant Kaz Crossley but the couple split in February 2020.
In February 2021, he officially announced the birth of his son Aries Campbell with influencer Sapphire Yhnell.
Love Island returns on Monday, January 16 at 9 pm on ITV 2 and ITVX.
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