Jama Hot Favorite to Replace Whitmore on ITV’s Love Island
Just hours after Laura Whitmore announced she was stepping down from her role as Love Island host, bookmakers began offering prices on her replacement. The 37-year-old had presented the ITV show for three series following the untimely death of the original host, Caroline Flack.
Sophie Monk already presents Love Island Australia. Could she take-over hosting duties in the UK version? ©GettyImages
Love Island is the most popular program for the 16 to 34-year-old demographic in the UK. The latest series attracted an average audience of 4.4 million people. Such is its success; ITV has scheduled two series for 2023. The first is to begin in January.
The show is also a hit with sponsors, advertisers and online betting sites. The latter have been scrambling to feed mainstream media with the latest prices on who will be appointed to replace Laura Whitmore.
Maya and Maura Top the Betting
Early Love Island betting saw series five contestant Maura Higgins introduced into the betting at 9/2. The Irish woman has some experience of presenting on television. She had a short stint as This Morning’s agony aunt in 2019. In 2021 Higgins presented Glow Up Ireland.
But punters have not rushed to support the 31-year-old. Instead, Maya Jama is the candidate that has attracted a flood of bets. The current presenter of BBC 3’s Glow Up: Britain’s Next Make-Up Star has an impressive CV.
Born in Bristol but of Somali and Swedish descent, Jama has previously co-presented Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer, Trending Live! on 4Music, Cannonball for ITV, and The Circle on Channel 4. Between 2018 and 2020, she also had her own show on BBC Radio 1.
Interestingly, the 28-year-old was the second favorite when Whitmore landed the Love Island presenting job in 2020. Initially priced at 4/1, William Hill sportsbook has her trading as the 11/8 market leader this time round.
Emily Could Connect With Love Island
Actress, comedian, impressionist and television personality Emily Atack is another candidate with an impressive television resumé. Currently appearing in two ITV shows – The Emily Atack Show and Celebrity Juice – connecting her with the Love Island role is not difficult. The the best online betting sites can see the connection and rate her chances at 6/1.
One point bigger in the betting is Ekin-su Culculoglu. Judged purely on her success in the most recent series of Love Island, her chances are thin. However, the 28-year-old has studied performing arts and, throughout 2020, had a role in a Turkish soap opera. Should she be invited to audition for the role, she is qualified to impress.
Monk Could Be a Simple Solution
But the shrewdest money has been for Sophie Monk. Scarcely known to British viewers, the 42-year-old is one of Australia’s hottest TV properties. Breaking through with success in Popstars Australia 2000, a decade-long acting career in films followed.
In 2015, Monk won The Celebrity Apprentice Australia and became a judge on Australia’s Got Talent 12 months later. Since 2018 the blonde beauty has presented Love Island Australia.
Interestingly the show – produced by ITV Studios Australia – has not been a smash hit in its native country. But Love Island Australia is broadcast domestically on ITV2 and, in the Republic of Ireland, on Virgin Media Three.
A Marriage Made in TV Heaven?
Love Island UK producers will be acutely aware of the success Australian shows have enjoyed on these shores in recent years. Married at First Sight Australia 2017 was broadcast on E4 in the UK in 2020. It was an immediate hit. Subsequent series were quickly scheduled and broadcast on the channel over the next 18 months. Some shows attracted an audience of 1.5 million viewers.
Consequently, the UK’s Married at First Sight altered its format to reflect the Australian show. It also recruited its relationship expert Melanie Schilling as part of the makeover. Considering this, ITV4 may adopt a similar strategy to potentially broaden Love Island UK’s scope.
Sophie Monk is available at 10/1 with the best sports betting sites. With no audition necessary, and her potential to add a new dimension to the tried and tested Love Island format, her odds could continue to tumble.
