Maya Jama Appears To Respond To Ekin-Su’s Claims She Was 'Offered Love Island Hosting Role First'
19 October 2022, 10:27 | Updated: 5 January 2023, 16:43
Maya Jama has seemingly shut down claims that Ekin-Su Culculoglu was the ‘first choice’ to host Love Island after it was confirmed she was the new host.
Maya Jama appears to have rubbished claims that Ekin-Su Culculoglu was offered the Love Island hosting role before her.
It was confirmed just last week that the 28-year-old TV presenter would be taking over hosting duties of the highly popular ITV2 dating show after Laura Whitmore stepped down.
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Maya has been amongst the most hotly-tipped presenters to take over hosting duties for a while, however, Love Island 2022 winner Ekin-Su told PopSugar in an interview earlier this week that she was offered the role.
"I did get offered," she said, “I would've loved to do it, but I can't at the minute because of how busy I am. And I said I'm not ready for it."
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“I want proper training. I’ve done presenting before, but not to the level of Laura,” she added.
However, amid the Turkish actress’ interview, Maya ‘liked’ a tweet from a news publication confirming that she was, in fact, the first pick - but has since removed it from her likes.
A show source also told Metro.co.uk: “This is untrue. Maya was the first choice for host.”
Ekin-Su has not directly addressed the news that Maya was the first choice, however, she did speak highly of her becoming the new Love Island host in her interview.
“She’s funny, intelligent, smart, beautiful,” said Ekin-Su, “ITV have made a good choice with picking her, I think.”
Maya will be jetting off to South Africa for the winter series of the show, before going on to host the summer series next year.
In a statement at the time, Maya excitedly announced: “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.”
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