Love Island presenter Maya Jama's surprise new career move is announced as she steps away from presenting duties for exciting role

Maya Jama was introduced as the new judge on “Masked Singer UK” after former star Rita Ora stepped down from her role earlier this year.

The 30-year-old Love Island presenter, who will continue to host the all-stars version of the reality dating show, has nabbed the exciting job as a judge.

Maya is part of the jury of the highly anticipated new season of The Masked Singer alongside Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan.

Maya said: “I'm such a huge fan of 'Masked Singer', so it's going to be great fun to be on the judging panel alongside Davina, Jonathan and Mo – and of course working with Joel!”

“I can't wait to find out who is hiding under all these incredible costumes, see their performances and have a front row seat to the unmaskings.”

The 30-year-old Love Island presenter, who will continue to host the All Stars version of the reality dating show, has nabbed the exciting judging job

“I have been watching the show for a long time and will definitely do my best in the discussion!”

Maya has been the host of Love Island since 2023 and her third season aired this summer.

Joel Dommett will return as host of the hit show, which first aired in 2020 and features celebrities singing in costume before the guessing game begins.

Since then, it has reached an incredible 37 million viewers who have tuned in to guess who is behind the mask.

A new group of famous faces will don a range of extraordinary and elaborate costumes to conceal their identities as they sing in front of a studio audience and our celebrity judging panel.

This year's cast follows in the footsteps of a host of superstars including Dionne Warwick, NeYo, Richie Sambora, Michael Owen, Daisy May Cooper, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sue Perkins, Glenn Hoddle, Pat Cash, Lorraine Kelly, Jason Manford, Jake Shears, Sir Lenny Henry, Joss Stone and more.

Katie Rawcliffe, ITV's Head of Entertainment and Daytime Commissioning, said: “The Masked Singer is back and promises to start 2025 with a bang.”

“Television's most popular quiz welcomes the sensational Maya Jama who will join our experienced detectives Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan alongside Joel Dommett. We can't wait.”

Daniel Nettleton and Derek McLean, co-founders of Bandicoot TV, said: “When we decided to add a bombshell to the panel, we knew we had to look no further than Maya.”

Maya will replace Rita, who has left the show

Rita was on the judging panel alongside Mo Gilligan (far left), Joel Dommett (centre) and Jonathan Ross, while Davina McCall was the presenter (all pictured in a promotional photo from December 2023)

Maya has been the presenter of Love Island since 2023 and her third season started this summer

“She may be a style icon and a fashion magazine cover girl, but when it comes to music she's a total nerd, which might help her solve the clues as our new celebrity detective. We're excited to welcome her to the Masked Singer family.”

Rita has been a judge on the celebrity singing competition “Hidden Identity” since 2020, but has now quit after five seasons.

News of Rita's exit may come as no surprise to fans, as the star has frequently been replaced by guest judges due to her busy schedule, and sources claim her exit from The Masked Singer came after she landed a major film role.

Earlier this year, Rita traveled across the pond to replace Nicole Scherzinger on The Masked Singer US.

This led to a sweet moment in which heavily pregnant winner Vanessa Hudgens explained that she ignored Rita's requests to meet up because of the show.