Maya Jama showed her followers on Instagram on Monday just how strong her family’s genes are in an old photograph of her grandmother.
The television presenter, 27, shared the black and white family photo with her nanon the end.
She wrote alongside the throwback snap: ‘Had to wheel this one up. Proper look like my Nan.’
Lookalikes: Maya Jama shared a throwback picture of herself and her lookalike nan as she wrote a note about her relatives’ immigration story from Somalia
She also shared a snippet of their immigration story from Somalia alongside the picture.
Maya wrote: ‘Real g’s immigrated from Somalia and built a life for themselves, started working started a family, bought a house.
‘Pretty sure they were one of the first Somali families in Bristol.’
Family: She also shared immigration story alongside the picture. Maya wrote: ‘Real g’s immigrated from Somalia and built a life for themselves, started working started a family, bought a house’
In the next photo on her Story she shared a sweet picture of her as a child with her grandmother, highlighting their similarity even further.
Maya’s grandfather passed away in July of 2020, with the star sharing a snap of herself with him after his death.
The star’s estranged father Hussein previously opened up about how being in and out of prison negatively impacted his relationship with his daughter.
Maya has been open in the past about her dad spending time in and out of jail from she was just two years old and her younger brother Omar was a baby.
Sweet: In the next photo on her Story she shared a sweet picture of her as a child with her grandmother, highlighting their similarity even further
In an interview with The Sun, Hussein has revealed how his stints in jail led to Maya’s mother Sadie following through on her word to leave him if he didn’t stay out of trouble – while he says that his famous daughter Maya, 26, has cut him off.
Hussein told the publication: ‘I remember when she was a teenager, I had just come out of prison and she was round at my mum’s house so I popped in and said, “Do you want to give your dad a hug?” She said, “I don’t want to talk to you, Dad”. I hoped it was a teenage thing and it would pass.’
Bar worker Hussein, who told The Sun that he had been imprisoned for various crimes while his daughter grew up in Bristol, did have an emotional reunion with his daughter on the 2017 Channel 5 documentary When Dads Kill.
Hussein has now said that he was upset with the title of the show, as he hadn’t ever murdered anybody, but he still held out hope that it would lead to an improved relationship with his daughter, who is enjoying success as a broadcaster.
Heartbroken: Maya’s grandfather passed away in July of 2020, with the star sharing a snap of herself with him after his death
‘I was good to my word and kept out of trouble, but I haven’t spoken to her since,’ he said. ‘I have tried to contact Maya and just want to be in touch because life is too short. I’d love to take her out for a meal to put my side across and explain that I never meant to hurt her.’
He added: ‘It hurts. I’m always passing my number on to my son and saying, “Let your sister know I’m thinking about her”. I send Maya text messages at Christmas and when it’s her birthday… But I have come to accept that she has her life and I don’t fit into it right now. I hope one day I will.’
MailOnline conatcted a representative for Maya Jama for comment.
The post comes after it was announced that Maya will be the presenter on Simon Cowell’s new show Walk The Line.
Proud parents: Back in 2018, Maya tweeted a snapshot of her mother Sadie and father Hussein
Hailing the gig as a ‘childhood dream’, Maya said: ‘This has been a childhood dream of mine.
‘I remember watching shows created by Simon when I was younger, and to be given the opportunity to host one myself… it has definitely been a pinch me moment.’
She continued: ‘I’ve been itching to tell everyone about it – expect some first class entertainment and truly incredible singing talent.
‘Walk The Line has been unlike anything I’ve worked on before and I hope everyone has as much fun watching it as we are making it.’
Candid: The star’s estranged father Hussein previously opened up about how being in and out of prison negatively impacted his relationship with Maya (pictured in May 2021)