Maya Jama is the hot favourite to take over from Laura Whitmore on 'Love Island'.

Maya Jama favourite to replace Laura Whitmore on Love Island

Maya Jama favourite to replace Laura Whitmore on Love Island

The 28-year-old TV presenter is just 2/1 to front the next series of the ITV2 dating show, which takes place in South Africa in 2023, after Laura revealed this week she has quit the programme.

According to sports betting community OLBG.com, Maya heads the betting, with former 'Love Island' star Maura Higgins second favourite at 4/1.

After that, this year's winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu - who triumphed alongside boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti - is 6/1 joint third favourite alongside former 'Inbetweeners' stars Emily Atack.

Those looking for a bigger punt might like to have a go at backing former 'Big Brother's Bit on the Side' host Rylan Clark, who is 10/1.

Occasional 'This Morning' host Rochelle Humes is also 10/1, as is former 'Love Island' star-turned-documentary maker Olivia Attwood, while ex-Islander Kem Cetinay is 16/1.

It comes after Laura - whose husband Iain Stirling narrates the show - revealed she was quitting the programme because 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 (sic)"

Whoever takes over from Laura - who replaced late presenter Caroline Flack - looks likely to be hosting a winter series next year.

In June, ITV confirmed there will be two series of 'Love Island' on ITV2 and ITVX in 2023.

A winter series will air in the new year as a fresh batch of Islanders head to South Africa on a quest for romance, and there will be another eight-week run in summer 2023 in Mallorca.

Paul Mortimer, Director of Reality Commissioning and Controller, ITV2, said: "'Love Island' has once again proved itself to be the nation’s favourite talking point across the summer, and we’re always blown away by the show’s ongoing impact and talkability amongst our younger audience.

"So, rather than just serving up a Summer of Love, we thought we’d make 2023 the Year of Love with two full series of the show."

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