Entertainment

Maya Jama leaves BBC Radio One to pursue ‘exciting commitments’

She joined the station in 2018.
She joined the station in 2018. She joined the station in 2018.

Maya Jama has left BBC Radio One after taking on “exciting commitments” which mean she is unable to make time for her show.

The presenter, 25, joined the station in 2018 and broadcast for the final time as a weekend morning show host on May 3.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Jama said she had been “juggling” different projects and had made the “difficult decision” to end her contract from June.

She also shared a video of herself dancing in the Radio One studio to The Weeknd’s song Blinding Lights.

Jama told her 484,000 Twitter followers: “I’ve made the very difficult decision not to continue my Radio 1 contract from June, As you know I have been juggling & There are a lot of exciting commitments happening that would mean I’m not able to dedicate the time needed to my weekly radio show

“I’ve loved every moment of my time at Radio 1 and I would like to thank the team for their hard work and friendship during the last two years.

“It’s been a JOURNEY, Thanks to all you cuties that tuned into the show every weekend, it was so great to hear that we have been getting the largest proportion of under 35s tuning in for our on-demand show on BBC Sounds.

“So we are going out with a bang! Love youuuuu listeners.”

Maya Jama with ex-boyfriend Stormzy
Maya Jama with ex-boyfriend Stormzy Maya Jama with ex-boyfriend Stormzy (Ian West/PA)

BBC controller of pop music Lorna Clarke said: “We’d like to thank Maya for all her commitment and hard work at Radio One, and we wish her all the very best with her future.”

During the coronavirus pandemic Radio One is broadcasting an alternative schedule, with a reduced number of presenters appearing each week.

The duo of Alice Levine and Dev Griffin, and Jordan North, will continue to cover the weekend morning slot for the foreseeable future.

Jama parted ways with ex-boyfriend Stormzy in summer 2019, after more than four years together, with reports suggesting they wanted to focus on their careers.

They started dating in January 2015 after meeting in October 2014.

Stormzy later wrote a song, Lessons, in which he sang about his regrets at the end of their relationship.