MAURA HIGGINS CONFIRMED AS HOST OF DISNEY'S BLIND DATE REBOOT

Blind Date is being rebooted by streamer Disney+ for a brand new series, with a reimagined and refreshed format hosted by former Love Island and I'm A Celebrity contestant Maura Higgins.

The classic studio format sees contestants choosing from three potential partners who are hidden away behind a screen. The contestant would eventually pick one suitor to take on a date after asking numerous questions.

The series was most recently hosted by Paul O'Grady on Channel 5, however Disney+ promise "Blind Date like you've never seen before" with a new 10x45' series with "innovative twists" to the classic format which it hopes will grab a modern audience.

The biggest difference with the new Disney+ series is that once they've coupled up, the daters will go and spend the Summer together. However, lurking behind the walls are fresh potential partners ready to come in and 'shake things up'.

Angela Jain, head of content, 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.”

Disney's Sean Doyle said (via Broadcast): "It’s such a well-known brand in terms of the title, but it’s definitely time where we can be innovative with the format and with the casting. Dating shows have always been great for casting, but with Blind Date, I think we’re going to want people to really stay with the series over the 10 episodes..."

Production begins later this year.