Maura Higgins has been confirmed as the host for the upcoming reboot of the dating show "Blind Date," set to air on Disney+. The announcement marks Higgins' most significant television hosting role to date.
Angela Jain, head of content at Disney+ EMEA, stated that Higgins is the "perfect match" for the show, citing her "straight-talking humour" and experience as a reality dating show contestant. Jain added that Higgins possesses the "gravitas plus the wit to bring Blind Date to new audiences" and will help daters "navigate their own journeys to find love."
Higgins, 35, first rose to prominence on the reality series "Love Island" in 2019. Since then, her profile has grown with hosting roles including "Love Island Games" and "Love Island USA: Aftersun." She also gained further traction as a contestant on "The Traitors US," reaching the final.
Discussions about Higgins potentially hosting the "Blind Date" reboot were reportedly underway in June. Producers were said to be convinced she was the ideal choice due to her origins on a dating contest and her international recognition, which is considered beneficial for a global platform like Disney+.
"Blind Date" originally aired from 1985 to 2003, hosted by Cilla Black, and was later revived on Channel 5 from 2017 to 2019 with Paul O'Grady. The show's premise involved single individuals choosing a date based on their answers to questions, with the reveal of their chosen partner occurring on screen. The reboot is expected to air next year.