Maura Higgins replaced on Love Island USA spin-off as stunning new host is revealed

MAURA HIGGINS has been replaced as the presenter of Love Island USA spin off Aftersun.

The Irish beauty hosted the sister show, which airs on streaming service Peacock in the US, for its fifth season last year.

GettyMaura Higgins will not be presenting Love Island USA’s spin off Aftersun this year[/caption] GettyMaura fronted the sister show last season[/caption] GettySophie Monk will step in to replace her[/caption]

Maura, 34, was also the social media presenter for the US version of the dating show.

But now she has been replaced by Sophie Monk, who will be familiar to Love Island fans as she hosts the Australian version of the show.

It is understood that Maura has not been axed however, and the shake-up is due to scheduling conflicts.

An insider teased: “She wasn’t able to commit to hosting Aftersun this season due to other work commitments, but she will be back on screen in some capacity later in the run.”

While it’s not confirmed, one fan theory is that she is believed to be filming the US version of The Traitors, following in the footsteps of fellow Love Island star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu.

It is thought that she may return to host Aftersun for the second season of Love Island Games, which films later this year in Fiji.

The cast for the next series of The Traitors USA has yet to be officially confirmed.

The Love Island shake-up news was announced last night via an instagram post on the show’s official account.

Alongside a posed snap of a beaming sofa, the caption read: “Welcome Sophie Monk to the Aftersun family!”

Main show host Ariana Madix, who found fame on Vanderpump Rules, shared her excitement over the new hire.

“You guys have no idea how much i’m dying over this.”

Fans were quick to ask where Maura was.

“Oh no! What happened?!” one worried follower wrote.

But another reassured them, replying: “She’s going to be on traitors. She’s back for love island games.”

Maura is yet to make any official comment herself on social media.

The Sun has contacted a rep for Maura for comment.

InstagramIt is understood that Maura cannot take part as she is filming the Traitors USA[/caption] GettySophie also fronts the Aussie version of Love Island[/caption]

It’s certainly been a tricky year for the star, who hails from  County Longford, Ireland.

Back in February, she faced a huge backlash after she was snapped sharing a drunken kiss with McFly’s Danny Jones at a Brits after party.

The pair grew close after starring on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last November.

And while Danny has patched things up with wife Georgia and issued a grovelling apology, Maura has not publicly commented on the scandal.