Love Island’s Maya Jama has laughed off claims she is on a ‘zero hours contract’ after fans noticed the host hasn’t entered the villa since launch night.
The presenter, 31, usually appears in the villa regularly to unveil bombshell news to the islanders – but this year, she has been absent from the show for three weeks.
After Sunday night’s episode left fans on the edge of their seats, viewers fumed why Maya didn’t get involved.
The Islanders were asked to vote in their couples for another pair who they deemed to be the least compatible to be sent home.
Tommy Murphy, Halle Brown, Mica Harris and Chidi received four votes each, meaning the vote went to a tie-break.
The group had to decide which two islanders would be sent packing, with newcomers Halle and Chidi the chosen ones.
One viewer fumed on X: ‘Decide between yourselves? What does that mean? WHERE IS MAYA JAMA!! Is she now on flexible working hours or is it a zero hours contract now???’
Maya hit back: ‘I’ll be back in there soon I promise. I have been dying to get back in there tbh [to be honest]’.
Love Island’s Maya Jama has laughed off claims she is on a ‘zero hours contract’ after fans noticed the host hasn’t entered the villa since launch night
The presenter, 31, usually appears in the villa regularly to unveil bombshell news to the islanders – but this year, she has been absent from the show for three weeks (pictured June 1)
After Sunday night’s episode left fans on the edge of their seats and asking ‘Where is Maya?!’, she vowed to ‘be back soon’ on X
Other fans also noticed Maya’s absence, writing: ‘Is Maya allergic to the villa why haven’t we seen her in weeks? #loveisland #loveislandUK’,
‘It feels lazy and like they trying to save money. Not good at all’,
‘Maya Jama hasn’t visited the villa since the first episode of Love Island UK??’,
‘Maya Jama hasn’t even visited since she dropped them off and they’re locked off???? What the hell is going on? #loveisland’, ‘Where is Maya Jama #LoveIsland’
It comes after it was revealed Love Island star George Knight was reportedly axed from the villa after receiving a warning from bosses for using an offensive slur.
Just days after heading to Mallorca as a bombshell, ITV announced earlier this month that the professional footballer would be leaving the show for ‘private reasons’.
George has since insisted he quit the villa after learning that a member of his family had a health concern, but sources have now shared the real reason behind his departure.
It’s claimed that while George’s story about his family is true, he has used it to hide the fact that he was axed after receiving a formal warning for using ‘unacceptable language’ in the villa.
George then learned of his family news at the same time, but there is no suggestion that ITV bosses attempted to cover up his behaviour.
A spokesperson for ITV said: ‘For private reasons George has left the Love Island Villa. We have a duty of care towards George so will not be commenting further.’
A source went on to tell The Sun: ‘The situation for George hasn’t been easy, coming out of the villa earlier than expected and returning home to a very difficult family time.’
The publication has not repeated the language George used.
George previously shared the reason for his Love Island exit on The Showbiz Fix podcast, saying: ‘I was expecting just to receive a usual question, like ask how I’m doing or what’s the plan for the day.
Other fans also noticed Maya’s absence, writing: ‘Is Maya allergic to the villa why haven’t we seen her in weeks? #loveisland #loveislandUK’
Halle (pictured) and Chidi were dumped from the villa after they were voted the ‘least compatible’ by their fellow islanders
Tommy, Halle, Mica and Chidi (pictured) received four votes each, meaning the vote went to a tie-break
‘And they just said that one of the producers on site was going to meet me at the front door and that they had some information for you and the execs wanted to see you.
‘And I was thinking, oh God, what could this be about? Once the execs put you in, you don’t see them again, really.
‘They said that my parents had been in touch and that they had some news for me and that they were going to give me a call. It is all very private. But it was a health concern with a member of the immediate family.
‘They said they felt like they weren’t doing their role as a parent if they didn’t let me know. And with what was said, I just felt like it was the right thing to come home.’
During the interview, George also spoke about accusations from fans that he’d used ‘microaggressions’ in the villa, after he branded Barbados-born Mica’s fashion ‘exotic.’
He said: ‘I don’t blame everyone because you don’t see everything. You see such a small percentage of all the conversations and the relationships that you build. So I get it, I completely get it.
‘And there are, you know, standout moments where you think, oh, that doesn’t look the greatest. I probably have said things that in reflection don’t look or sound great, but that’s just how I am in the moment.
‘And I know it will shoot me in the foot. I shoot myself in the foot a few times, but authenticity is – I think – what people are drawn to.’
LOVE ISLAND 2026: MEET THE ISLANDERS
Jasmine
Age: 27
Job: Fashion Business Owner
From: Dubai (lives in London)
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘Respectfully, what competition?’
Aidan
Age: 23
Job: Property Broker
From: Kent
His type on paper: ‘I wouldn’t say I have a strict type on paper. Personality is the most important thing for me.’
Lorenzo
Age: 28
Job: Business Owner
From: Hertfordshire
Are you here for the drama, or is finding love your only goal? ‘I think drama is fun! As long as no one is crying, all is fair in love and war. It’ll be interesting to see what unfolds…’
Sam
Age: 25
Job: Electrician
From: Dudley
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘I’ve never really had to compete before, so it’ll be interesting. I know what I bring to the table, and I’m confident in what I have to offer.’
Samraj
Age: 25
Job: Model
From: Birmingham
What’s your relationship strategy? Go straight for the goal or play it safe? ‘Without sounding arrogant, in the outside world I don’t really chase that much, I’m used to girls coming to me.’
Sean
Age: 25
Job: Primary School Teacher
From: Galway
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘If I see someone I like, I’m going for it and nothing’s gonna stop me.’
Yasmin
Age: 23
Job: Recruitment Consultant
From: Kent
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘There is no competition. I am a girl’s girl, but when it comes down to what I want, I’ll have to go for it!’
Kavan
Age: 21
Job: Electrician
From: Kent
What kind of person are you hoping doesn’t walk through the villa door? Someone who always wants to be the centre of attention. You know, coming in loud, shouting, causing arguments and drama for no reason. That’s not really my thing.
Ope
Age: 27
Job: West-End Performer
From: Lincolnshire
How do you handle the competition? ‘No one phases me. I’m so confident in my ability to just do my thing. I don’t get phased, I don’t get impersonated, I don’t get threatened.’
Mica
Age: 21
Job: Student
From: Barbados (lives in London)
Are you here for the drama, or is finding love your only goal? ‘I’ll dabble in both I feel. Obviously the whole point is finding love and that’s going to be my main goal. I’m not saying I’m going to start drama but if there is drama going on, I would obviously be a little bit nosey and want to know what’s going on.’
Lola
Age: 28
Job: Detective
From: Kent
If VAR reviewed your flirting game, what foul would earn you a red card? ‘I can be a bit of a brat, I get really hangry! If you just feed me, I’ll be alright.’
Angelista
Age: 24
Job: Nurse
From: Staffordshire
What kind of person are you hoping doesn’t walk through the villa door? ‘Someone who wants to be in everyone’s face all the time, centre of attention all the time, that’s an ick! Someone that’s obnoxious I don’t like.’
Ellie
Age: 24
Job: Real Estate Videographer
From: West Lothian
Her type on paper: ‘Simple… tall, dark and handsome. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It’s a classic for a reason. Nice teeth, nice tattoos, partial to a blonde as well.’
Robyn
Age: 21
Job: Quantity Surveyor and DJ
From: Liverpool
In your love life to date, have you been a World Cup winner or knocked out in the first round? ‘I just feel like the right person hasn’t come yet. That’s the only reason I haven’t qualified, not because I can’t.
Priya
Age: 25
Job: Business Development Manager
From: Surrey
Her type on paper: ‘Very cliché, but somebody I would be attracted to would be tall, dark and handsome. It’s so cliché, but it is my type. Confidence as well! Someone you can tell is very confident. I’m quite confident and energetic so I look for someone that can match my energy.’
Namibia
Age: 25
Job: Customer Service Officer
From: Leeds
Are you here for the drama, or is finding love your only goal?
Finding love. I haven’t got time for drama. But if someone comes to me, I’ll back myself. I won’t start it, but I’ll finish it.
Victoria
Age: 25
Job: Personal Assistant
Location: Manchester
What kind of person are you hoping doesn’t walk through the villa door?
Someone super cocky or aggressive. That’s a massive turn-off for me. Definitely someone who complains too much or is unnecessarily rude to other people. That’s probably my biggest ick.
