‘Love Island’ Star Maura Higgins Hosts Disney+ Reboot Of Iconic UK Series ‘Blind Date’

Maura Higgins turned her quest for love into a TV career through Love Island. Now, she’s helping others find the one by hosting a reboot of an iconic British format on Disney+.

Higgins, who was recently cast in Dancing With The Stars, will present a new season of in 2027, stepping into hosting shoes made famous by matchmaker Cilla Black.

As with the original format, contestants must choose between three potential suitors, hidden from view behind a wall. The show originally launched on ITV in 1985 and aired for nearly 20 years. It had a second lease of life on Paramount’s UK network 5 between 2017 and 2019.

A Hulu original, Blind Date was commissioned by Sean Doyle, vice president of unscripted at Disney+ EMEA. Executive producers are Matthew Worthy and Kieran Doherty for Stellify Media (a Sony Pictures Television-backed company) and Graham Stuart for So TV (part of ITV Studios).

Angela Jain, head of content at Disney+ EMEA, said Higgins was a “shortcut” for a tone that is “cheeky, fun, witty, and warm.” “She is a head turner — literally,” Jain told the Edinburgh TV Festival.

Doyle said Disney+ gets pitched plenty of dating shows and the service has been reluctant to commit to a new format because of the “crowded market.” He said Blind Date gives them “instant” recognition.