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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Amy Denman

Love Island's Tasha and Andrew praise Maya Jama signing after 'hardly seeing' Laura Whitmore

Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page have backed Maya Jama as she was announced as the new Love Island host.

The finalists of the ITV2 dating show, who recently moved in together, say Maya, 28, will make a ‘great’ host.

Former BBC Radio 1 presenter Maya was announced as the new Love Island presenter earlier this week – as she featured in a fun video to unveil her as the new face of the show.

And she is already getting backing from some of the former Islanders as Andrew, 27, told the Mirror on the red carpet at the National Television Awards: “I think she’s great. She’s obviously very good at her field and she knows what she’s doing so I think she’ll be perfect for it if I’m honest.”

Tasha, 23, added: “I think she’ll be great.”

Former estate agent Andrew and model Tasha met and fell in love on the last series of Love Island, which is also the final series fronted by Laura.

When asked what the Irish presenter was like, the couple said the Irish host was 'very nice'.

Tasha said: “She was great, I mean we didn’t see her much…” to which Andrew added: “She came into the villa like three times. so it wasn’t like we could have a chit chat with her but…”

Maya will make the 'perfect' host, Andrew and Tash say (Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock for NTA)
The former radio DJ is taking over from Laura Whitmore (Instagram/ @loveisland)

Tash added: “She was always friendly.” Andrew agreed and said: “She was very nice. Like, at the reunion she was super nice just chatting a little bit, but she was great.”

Laura, who replaced Caroline Flack on the series, admitted she found the format “difficult” as she announced her decision to step down from one TV’s most wanted roles.

In a statement to share her decision, which was released in August, Laura said: “Some news! I won’t be hosting the next series of Love island. [sic]

“There are certain elements of the show I’ve found very difficult that cannot be changed some due to the format, including the flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects.

“I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands. I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into 3 series.

“I hope I did you proud Caroline,“ she added, ending her message with a touching tribute to the late host, who died age 40 in 2020.

Laura replaced good friend Caroline Flack as Love Island host in December 2019 (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Weeks after sharing her decision, ITV confirmed Maya will be taking over the role and Laura heaped on praise for the TV star.

As Love Island posted the video announcement on their Instagram page, the show confirmed the news in the caption with: “Okay, the rumours are true Say hey to your brand-new #LoveIsland host @mayajama“

Many were quick to react to the news with joy including the programme's former host Laura, who commented with: “Yes girl!! So delighted for you! You’re gonna be fab“, followed by a red heart emoji.

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