Olivia Attwood is the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Maya Jama as host of Love Island, just a day after Jama announced she was stepping down after three years fronting the ITV2 dating show. Attwood, who reached the final of Love Island in 2017, is priced at 2-1 with Coral to take over, and at 15/8 with William Hill, making her the clear early market leader.
Attwood shot to fame on the show’s third series alongside her then partner Chris Hughes, and has since built a career as a television presenter, including fronting her own documentary series and appearing on Celebrity Traitors. “As a former contestant, Olivia Attwood is very familiar with Love Island, and we make her the 2-1 favourite to replace Maya Jama,” said Coral’s John Hill. William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps added: “Maya Jama’s departure leaves big shoes to fill in Mallorca, and Olivia Attwood is our early favourite to become the next Love Island host at 15/8.”
Why Attwood leads the betting
A source told The Sun that Attwood is the “obvious frontrunner” because of her close relationship with the show’s production company, Lifted, noting that she even attended a big bosses’ wedding. “The feeling is the role is still best suited to a glam girl over a male but that’s up for discussion,” the source said. “Olivia is an obvious frontrunner as she has such a close relationship with the production firm, Lifted, and even attended a big bosses’ wedding. But no decisions have been made nor formal talks undertaken.”
That last point matters. ITV has not named a successor, and reports stress that no formal talks have taken place with any candidate. Attwood’s lead in the betting reflects her profile and her history with the show, not an appointment.
The other names in the frame
Series five finalist Maura Higgins is second favourite at 5-2 with Coral and 3/1 with William Hill, while Radio 1 DJ Vick Hope is priced at 3-1 and 4/1 respectively. Other names being mentioned include GK Barry, Chloe Burrows, Indiyah Polack, Emily Atack, AJ Odudu, Joel Dommett, Sam Thompson and Pete Wicks, with Sam Thompson the most likely male candidate according to Coral.
Jama announced her departure on Instagram on Sunday evening, 8 November, writing that it was “time to throw myself into something new” after hosting nine series. ITV is reported to be pushing Love Island: All Stars back to later in January 2027 to fit around the search for a new host. Whoever takes over will inherit one of British reality television’s biggest jobs — and, judging by the betting, the smart money is on a former Islander who already knows the villa from the inside.
Related: Maya Jama Quits Love Island After 3 Years
Sources: Occasional Digest (9 Nov 2026); FemaleFirst (9 Nov 2026); BritBrief (8 Nov 2026); William Hill News (9 Nov 2026).
