Maura Higgins announced as host of Blind Date reboot
Maura Higgins is hosting the reboot of the iconic matchmaking show Blind Date for Disney+.
Maura Higgins is fronting a reboot of Blind Date for Disney+.
The 35-year-old TV personality begins her hosting duties later this year when filming of the 10-part series begins.
Angela Jain, head of content at 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 show originally aired on ITV from 1985 until 2003 with the late Cilla Black as host. It was later revived by Channel 5 in 2017, with the late Paul O’Grady taking on presenting duties.
Per The Sun, the reboot of Blind Date, filmed in Mexico, will still see contestants pick between three potential matches hidden from behind a wall, but after the daters have coupled up, they will spend the summer together.
In June, a source told the publication that Maura was in advanced discussions to become the presenter, and that the show's producers were "convinced Maura’s the perfect choice for the job".
They added: "Not only did she shoot to fame on a TV dating contest, but she is now an internationally famous face, which is what a global service like Disney need for one of their shows.
"Maura also has an unquestionable glamour combined with cheeky charm which has echoes of Blind Date’s most famous host."
The brunette beauty found fame in the USA after appearing on the American versions of The Traitors and Love Island, and she is continuing her bid for Stateside success with Dancing with the Stars.
In April, Maura said she "manifested" signing up for the ABC Latin and Ballroom dance show "really hard".
She added to USA Today: “It’s on my vision board. It's the one show I really want to do.”
Maura also hinted at her epic plans for her future in America after the Latin and Ballroom dance competition.
She teased: "This is the last show I really want to do as a contestant."
The star shot to fame on Love Island UK in 2019.
And although Maura is happy to be finally known for other things, she will always be grateful to the ITV2 matchmaking show for launching her career.
In March, Maura told Cosmopolitan: "Obviously, I’ll always love Love Island because that’s where it all started. I wouldn’t be where I am without it.
"But I think it’s nice to venture away from that. I’ve been classed as an Islander for the last seven years. You work so hard to try and get out of that box that you’re put in. It’s really difficult, and it takes a lot of work and perseverance.
"Now that I’m finally only just starting to distance myself, I’m like, Oh my god, it was all worth it.
“I feel like starting on Love Island is why everyone’s so invested in my love life and wants to know whether I’m single or dating.”
