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maya jama love island winter© Photo: ITV

Love Island viewers saying same thing about Maya Jama's winter series debut

The presenter replaced Laura Whitmore

Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
January 17, 2023
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Love Island made its welcome return to ITV2 on Monday night, serving as the perfect antidote to the January blues. While viewers were loving getting to know the fresh batch of contestants, it was new host Maya Jama who stole the show. 

The 28-year-old presenter, who took over from Laura Whitmore, made her grand entrance on a helicopter at the beginning of the episode before returning to the luxurious South African villa twice throughout the programme - donning incredible outfits both times. 

WATCH: Meet this year's contestants

She went down a storm with both viewers and islanders alike, effortlessly putting the contestants at ease and even making a joke about her own love life: "Don't forget, finding your perfect match is never that simple - trust me, I know."

Fans of the show have taken to Twitter to praise the DJ's hosting skills, with many saying she is the perfect fit for the role. 

One person wrote: "Maya Jama was the PERFECT choice for host. I needed this winter series in my life so much," while another added: "Maya Jama is just absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! She was also born to be the presenter of #LoveIsland she’s perfect for it."

MORE: Where is the Love Island winter 2023 series filmed?

MORE: Michelle Keegan shares special connection with two Love Island contestants - details

A third fan tweeted: "Maya's ENERGY is so on it already, this is what I was hoping for so much," while another added: "Maya is presenting this show as though she’s been doing it forever! The perfect host."

maya jama ep one© Photo: ITV

Fans were blown away by Maya Jama

Many viewers were blown away by Maya's stunning appearance and breathtaking outfits, with some suggesting that she is the ultimate "bombshell".

"MAYA IS THE BOMBSHELL OF THE SEASON," wrote one viewer, while another added: "I thought Maya was a bombshell. It's actually not fair for her to host."

A third person commented: "Maya is the perfect person to host love island idc mix SERVED three looks in ONE EPISODE effortlessly, my jaw is on the floor."

love island ep one couples© Photo: ITV

The ten contestants coupled up in episode one

The opening episode introduced this year's line-up of contestants - including make-up artist Lana, TikTok-famous farmer Will, and ring girl Olivia. 

The boys were the first ones to make their villa entrance, quickly followed by the girls, who got first pick of who they wanted to couple up with. 

The ten islanders were eventually coupled up and spent the remainder of the episode getting to know each other before bombshell Tom, who was voted in by the public, came to shake things up. 

bombshell tom© Photo: ITV

New bombshell Tom made his entrance

The new entry was announced just before the end of the episode and viewers only got a brief glimpse of the 23-year-old footballer before the credits rolled. 

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