Maura Higgins for Blind Date / © Disney+
Former Love Island star Mara Higgins has been named as the new host of the revived Blind Date on Disney+.
The 35-year-old shot to fame as the standout star of the dating show’s fifth season in 2019 and has since gone on to appear on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Dancing On Ice and The Traitors USA, while also landing presenting roles on Love Island USA: Aftersun and Love Island Games: Aftersun.
The Disney version of Blind Date will follow the format of the original – first hosted by the late Cilla Black, and latterly the late Paul O’Grady – with singletons asking questions of three potential suitors hidden behind a wall before picking one of them to date.
In a twist to keep the show modern, however, all of the daters will then be whisked away to a special Blind Date resort where cameras will capture their every interaction.
“Maura is the perfect match for our version of Blind Date,” explained Angela Jain, the head of content at Disney+ EMEA.
“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.”
Filming of the series will take place later this year with release scheduled for 2027.
