Former fiancé of basketball star Ben Simmons, Maya Jama, shaping as a Love Island host

The former fiancé of Aussie basketball star Ben Simmons, Maya Jama, is favourite to host UK Love Island, but will Sophie Monk stand in her way?

Fresh from her split with Ben Simmons, Maya Jama is favourite for the plum gig of UK Love Island host.

Australian basketball star Ben Simmons’ now former fiancé Maya Jama doesn’t look like she will have much time to lament her split with the sportsman.

The British TV identity is the firm favourite to take over as the new host of the UK version of the reality hook up show Love Island.

While Jama is at the top of the bookies charts to nab the gig, in a surprising twist Sophie Monk is riding high in the betting in the race for the high profile job.

Monk is the host of the Australian version of Love Island, which is filming in Spain at present.

Sophie Monk may also be in the running for UK Love Island host.

According to the website gambling.com which has collated a betting chart from major UK sports betting sites of the front runners, Monk is second favourite for the Love Island UK hosting role behind Jama.

Meanwhile, according to the New York Post Jama and Simmons have ended their engagement after eight months due to their busy schedules and the challenges of a long distance relationship.

“It’s been a difficult time for them,” a source close to the couple told The Post.

“While they both care for each other so much, they truly gave it their all and realise that they just come from two different worlds. They now understand they don’t have the time they thought to dedicate to this relationship.”

Ben Simmons and Maya Jama in happier times. Picture: Getty Images

Simmons is in Brooklyn preparing for the upcoming NBA season, while Jama is based in the UK.

“They had no idea the challenges they would face when handling all the logistics of making a life together in two countries,” the source continued, adding that the decision to end their engagement is “one of the hardest decisions of their lives.”