Maya Jama makes her long-awaited return to the Love Island villa on Sunday night, four weeks after her last appearance on the show.
The presenter, 31, had previously laughed off questions from fans about whether she was on a ‘zero hours contract,’ after they noted she hadn’t been seen on the show since launch night on June 1.
But as the show’s famous Casa Amor twist kicks off, Maya is set to head into the villa to surprise the boys with the news they would be heading into their new home.
Ahead of the episode, Maya also took to Instagram to show off her latest racy look, with a tongue-in-cheek caption poking fun at her lengthy absence.
While relaxing on the Daybeds, Yasmin receives a text, which says: ‘Islanders, can you really sense how well you know your partner? It’s time to test your connections in today’s challenge Touch of Love.’
In the garden, the girls stand in a line wearing blindfolds and noise cancelling headphones while the boys prepare to get stuck into the game.
Maya Jama returns to the Love Island villa on Sunday night, four weeks after her last appearance on the show, with the presenter sharing snaps of her sexy look on Instagram
The presenter previously laughed off questions from fans about whether she was on a ‘zero hours contract,’ after they noted she hadn’t been seen on the show since launch night
But not all is as it seems as Maya Jama sneaks in to get the boys’ attention and gives them other instructions.
‘You need to head out of the villa quickly…’ she says. ‘There’s a car waiting for you outside.’
The boys are buzzing as they eagerly run out of the Villa and hop into cars marked ‘Casa’.
Once they’ve left, the girls remain lined up on the lawn with no idea what’s going on.
Thinking the game with the boys is about to begin, Maya taps Jasmine to get her attention and subsequently reveals to her and the rest of the girls that the real game is just getting started and the boys have instead left for Casa Amor.
‘But don’t worry,’ she tells them. ‘I have six brand new boys for you.’
After the boys enter the Villa, Maya leaves the girls, telling them to enjoy their time getting to know the new boys.
Ahead of her villa return, Maya also took to Instagram to show off her sexy look, along with the cheeky caption: ‘I heard you missed me…’
Maya’s trip to Mallorca for Love Island was a brief one, as on Saturday she shared video of herself at Bad Bunny’s star-studded concert in London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The star headed straight to the gig from her private jet, telling her Instagram followers how she made a quick change in the car.
But as the show’s famous Casa Amor twist kicks off, Maya is set to head into the villa to surprise the boys with the news they would be heading into their new home
No stranger to sexy looks, Maya headed into the villa in a sexy brown bikini and a barely-there beaded skirt
While the villa believes they are about to play a game, Maya sneaks into the villa to tell the boys they would be heading into Casa Amor
Ahead of her villa return, Maya also took to Instagram to show off her sexy look, along with the cheeky caption: ‘I heard you missed me…’
Maya’s trip to Mallorca for Love Island was a brief one, as on Saturday she shared video of herself at Bad Bunny’s star-studded concert in London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Maya later popped up in Bad Bunny’s famous La Casita on stage.
Last week, the presenter vowed she would be back in the villa ‘soon,’ after fans noted she hadn’t appeared on the show since launch night.
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]’.
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.’
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
LOVE ISLAND 2026: MEET THE ISLANDERS
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…’
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.
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.’
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.’
Jasmine
Age: 27
Job: Fashion Business Owner
From: Dubai (lives in London)
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘Respectfully, what competition?’
