A composite image of Cilla Black in 2013 in front of a sparkly purple background, and Maura Higgins in January 2026
Reality TV

Maura Higgins Picked to Front Legendary 'Blind Date' Reboot

The former 'Love Island' icon is taking over the beloved match-making franchise made famous by Cilla Black.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 2 min read

Maura Higgins is officially taking over one of the most iconic match-making jobs in British television history. The former *Love Island* standout and *The Traitors US* star has been tapped to front a brand-new reboot of the classic dating series *Blind Date*, stepping into the colossal shoes once worn by the legendary Cilla Black. Reports confirm that the Irish reality personality will lead the revamping of the legendary series, bringing her trademark no-nonsense wit and instant screen presence back to primetime television. First launched decades ago with Black at the helm, the match-making format became an absolute titan of weekend entertainment, making classic catchphrases and sliding screens part of pop-culture lore. ## Who is hosting the new Blind Date reboot? Higgins first catapulted to international fame during her explosive stint on *Love Island* in 2019, where her hilarious one-liners and fiercely loyal demeanor quickly turned her into a fan-favorite contestant. Since exiting the villa, she has steadily carved out a massive presence across international screens, including a buzzworthy appearance on the American edition of *The Traitors*. Taking on *Blind Date* marks a massive career milestone for the 33-year-old reality queen. The original series ran for nearly two decades with Cilla Black steering the ship, setting the gold standard for television romance before receiving previous short-lived revivals. Producers are clearly banking on Higgins' unfiltered charm to capture a whole new generation of singles looking for love behind the famous partition. ## When is the Blind Date revival releasing? While production details and an official premiere schedule remain under wraps for now, news of Higgins taking the reins has already ignited massive excitement among reality TV enthusiasts. Fans are eager to see how her bold Irish humor will reshape the nostalgic format for modern viewers. With her background in modern dating television and her proved knack for unscripted drama, Higgins seems like a natural fit to revive the beloved format. Stepping into a role pioneered by a British broadcasting legend is no small task, but if anyone has the charisma to pull it off, it is Maura.

The photos · 2

A composite image of Cilla Black in 2013 in front of a sparkly purple background, and Maura Higgins in January 2026
Image caption, Cilla Black was the UK's matchmaker supreme for decades

More like this

Get the pop news brief

One daily email. The biggest celebrity, music and TV stories, no filler.

Reader reaction

Loading comments…

People also ask

Who is hosting the new Blind Date reboot?
Love Island and The Traitors US star Maura Higgins has been selected to front the revival of the iconic dating series.
Who originally hosted Blind Date?
The legendary British entertainer Cilla Black hosted the original series of Blind Date for nearly two decades.