She’ll have to buy a hat – Maura Higgins to host Disney+ reboot of Blind Date
By Sean O'Grady, Press Association Deputy Entertainment Editor
Maura Higgins will host a reboot of the classic British TV series Blind Date for Disney+.
The Irish model, 35, rose to fame on the 2019 series of Love Island and recently became known in America for reaching the final of The Traitors US.
The Blind Date reboot will follow the original format where a contestant must choose between three mystery potential suitors, hidden from view behind a sliding wall.
The series – which also promises to contain some “format twists” – will film at a secret location later this year.
Angela Jain, head of content, Disney+ EMEA, said: “Maura is the perfect match for our version of Blind Date.
“Her distinctive straight-talking humour, coupled with her experience as a reality dating show contestant, means we know she has the gravitas plus the wit to bring Blind Date to new audiences.
“We’re very much looking forward to Maura helping our daters navigate their own journeys to find love as she steps into the famed Blind Date host role.”
The original series aired on ITV from 1985 to 2003, hosted by Cilla Black, who often joked that she would need to buy a wedding hat when a couple seemed to hit it off.
It was revived in 2017, with Paul O’Grady quizzing the romantic hopefuls.
Higgins, from Ballymahon in Co Longford, presents Love Island USA spin-off show Aftersun.
She was a contestant on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2024 and will be taking to the dance floor on Dancing With The Stars – the US version of Strictly Come Dancing – this autumn.
