Next Love Island Host Odds: Maya Jama Favourite To Land The Gig
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Love Island is on the lookout for a new presenter after Laura Whitmore quit the ITV2 dating show and betting sites are already taking bets on who will be entering the villa next.
The Irish host revealed this week she is stepping down from the role, three series after she replaced the late Caroline Flack, admitting she finds some elements of the series "very difficult".
She wrote on Instagram: "Some news! I won’t be hosting the next series of Love Island. 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."
UK bookmakers have wasted no time in pricing up several stars who could take over from Laura Whitmore, with former BBC Radio 1 DJ Maya Jama most bookies' favourite, and this year's winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu also appears in with a chance.
ITV have already confirmed there will be two series of Love Island next year, the first being a winter edition in South Africa, followed by a return to Mallorca, but before the singletons look for romance, a presenter needs to be found.
The Early Frontrunners
Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star host Maya has attracted plenty of interest in Love Island betting odds when you look at her current price.
She is the 11/8 favourite to take over from Whitmore, while you’ll find Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk in at 5/2.
This year's Love Island winner, soap star Ekin-Su Culculoglu (who won the £50,000 prize with her boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti) is also in the running for the role.
William Hill make her a 7/2 chance, and she is followed by Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack in the prices.
Ladbrokes also favour Emily, installing her as a 4/1 chance, but she can be found all the way out at 12/1 with other bookmakers.
Maura Higgins Back To The Villa?
Another former Love Island star who could be in with a chance of fronting the dating show is Maura Higgins.
She is a 9/2 shout, so it is possible that she might consider a return to the villa by taking on the hosting job.
But, according to Paddy Power, the biggest competition for Maya and Co could be Arielle Vandenberg, who hosted the first three series of the US version of Love Island until last year.
She is a 4/1 shot with the bookie, but she doesn't appear to be on the radar of Ladbrokes or William Hill.
Another person who is there or thereabouts with specials betting sites is former Big Brother host Emma Willis. She is a 12/1 shot to move from a house to a villa.
Love Island Longshots
Those after a longer-odds, speculative punt might be interested in the 40/1 quoted on former Love Island winner Amber Rose Gill taking on the job.
What's more, ex-Islander Chris Hughes, who is often seen co-hosting ITV's racing coverage nowadays, is a 33/1 chance with betting apps to do the gig solo.
But Paddy Power think he might be in with a shot if he joins forces with his villa pal Kem Cetinay.
He formed a bromance with Cetinay in the show's third series in 2017, and that’s why the bookmaker has priced the pair at just 8/1 to take on a joint role.
But the biggest of the outsiders appears to be former TOWIE star Gemma Collins, who is a 66/1 chance to host the next series of Love Island, while Big Brother UK's first-ever host Davina McCall is available at 50/1.
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