BBC bosses keen to sign Maya Jama up to ‘a big money deal to stop rivals from taking their Holly Willoughby’… after she steps down from Radio 1 role
BBC bosses are reportedly keen to keep Maya Jama on after she announced she was stepping down from her Radio 1 role last month.
The channel is said to be lining up a big money deal to present to Maya, 25, to keep her from going to a rival network.
Producers reportedly think the radio presenter could be as big as ITV’s Holly Willoughby and want to try and keep her on at all costs.
Their girl: BBC bosses are reportedly keen to keep Maya Jama on after she announced she was stepping down from her Radio 1 role last month
A source told The Sun: ‘Maya is seen as one of the biggest stars on the box right now and could easily go on to be as big as Holly Willoughby.
‘At the moment she’s tied to the BBC with her Saturday night show and the door remains open for her to return to Radio 1.
‘But other major channels would also love to have her so the BBC know they need to make sure they don’t lose her, she appeals to a younger audience and has a massive following on social media too so she ticks a lot of boxes for the BBC.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBC and Maya’s representatives for comment.
Nation’s sweetheart: Producers reportedly think the radio presenter could be as big as ITV’s Holly Willoughby (pictured) and want to try and keep her on at all costs
Gone: Maya announced she was stepping down from her role as BBC Radio 1 Breakfast host last month (pictured on May 2)
Last month, the BBC confirmed Maya ‘made the difficult decision not to continue her contract’ due to other commitments.
Maya, who is currently co-hosting Peter Crouch’s Save Our Summer on Saturday nights, said: ‘Thanks to all you cuties that tuned into the show. It was so great to hear that we have been getting the largest proportion of under 35s tuning in for our on-demand show via BBC Sounds. So we are going out with a bang! Love you.’
A press release read: ‘Exciting commitments later in the year mean that she is not able to dedicate the time needed to her show.
‘She has loved every moment of her time at Radio 1 and would like to thank the team for their hard work and friendship during the last two years. ‘
On Monday, Maya signed off on Twitter telling fans she needed to take a detox because she was ‘feeling overwhelmed’.
Maya wrote: ‘Deleted social media apps from my phone for a few days to let my mind breathe and my management have been on here instead..
‘A gentle reminder to anyone feeling overwhelmed, low or triggered by things they are seeing online right now id recommend having a social media break too’.
She added on Instagram: ‘My work will be posting/ reposting work related things for a little while. Brb x’
Farewell for now: The Save Our Summer presenter signed off on Twitter on Monday evening, telling fans she needed to take a detox because she was ‘feeling overwhelmed’