The plot thickens.
ITV has hit back at claims Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu made recently, saying she had been offered the Love Island presenting gig before Maya Jama was.
Maya was announced to take over from Laura Whitmore after she stepped down from the role following the latest season of the series.
Ekin-Su, the winner of the 2022 show, said in a recent interview that she turned down the role as she is too busy at the moment, but noted that Maya will make a great presenter, indicating that she was ITV’s first choice.
Speaking to POPSUGAR earlier this week, the 28-year-old said: “I did get offered. I would’ve loved to do it, but I can’t at the minute because of how busy I am. And I said I’m not ready for it.
“I want proper training. I’ve done presenting before, but not to the level of Laura [Whitmore].”
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Going on to talk about Maya getting the gig, she added: “She’s funny, intelligent, smart, beautiful. ITV have made a good choice with picking her, I think.”Ekin-Su’s claims that she was offered the job have now been completely shut down by ITV, who have said she was never even in the running for the presenting gig.
A source told The Sun: “It’s not true. Maya was the first choice for host.”
Maya has also been spotted liking a series of tweets that also debunked the claims Ekin-Su has made.
After a lot of speculation, Love Island officially confirmed Maya Jama will be taking on the job last week, sharing the news via their official Instagram account, the ITV show wrote: “Okay, the rumours are true. Say hey to your brand-new #LoveIsland host @mayajama!”
Maya commented on the post: “SO BLOODY EXCITED. GET ME ON THAT ISLAND.”
And passing down the reigns, Laura was immediately in the comments of the post to congratulate her, writing: “Yes girl!! So delighted for you! You’re gonna be fab xx.”
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