Cilla Black is 'irreplaceable' — but Blind Date fans want these new reboot hosts

Metro

3 days ago

Iconic British TV show Blind Date is rumoured to be returning, and Metro readers have shared their dream presenters.
The game show, which was hosted by Cilla Black, saw one hopeful single introduced to three members of the opposite sex with the aim of securing a date with one of them by the end of the show.
The twist? The three potential suitors were hidden behind a sliding wall. The contestant asked three questions of the hidden singletons and used their answers to decide who to take on a date.
Blind Date aired between 1985 and 2003 on ITV, though it had a brief revival on Channel 5 for two years in 2017, when Paul O'Grady took on hosting duties.
Now, according to The Sun, the reality show is set to get a new home on Disney Plus, with an insider saying: 'Although there's likely to be some modern twists, the bosses very much want to keep the essence of the original.
'There'll be key elements returning, including the famous sliding wall.
'Plus, there will be a prize up for grabs of a wedding package, which echoes Cilla's famous gag whenever couples had enjoyed a successful date, and she used to ask, 'Do I need to buy an 'at for the wedding?''
It's not the first time reports of a Blind Date revival have surfaced, but so far nothing has been confirmed by Disney Plus.
That hasn't stopped the rumour mill, however, and producers are said to be eyeing up Claudia Winkleman, Holly Willoughby and Davina McCall to host.
We asked Metro readers to tell us who they want to see front a potential Blind Date revival, and a few notable names were mentioned several times.
Malcolm Edward Young said: 'Alan Carr would be great, I can just hear him saying surprise surprise chuck.'
Francis Linsey echoed: 'Alan Carr would be fab, I would definitely watch it if he was to present it,' while Jenni Hodgkinson added, 'Alan Carr would be good. Needs someone funny.'
Alan Carr and Cilla Black appeared on screen together when she appeared on the 2009 Christmas special of his talk show, Alan Carr: Chatty Man.
Rachael Espin said the comedian would be a great replacement for original host Cilla, writing: 'Alan Carr or Rylan Clark because I think they'd do Cilla Black justice'.
And she wasn't the only person to tip former X Factor star Rylan for the role…
On Reddit, Iam_The_Lizard_Queen wrote: 'Rylan was actually the first person I thought of, do actually think he'd be good for it'.
Madamemercury1993 echoed: 'Rylan would be good! He's genuinely a funny guy fueled off innuendo. But genuinely seems to like interacting with regular folks.'
Meanwhile, Unusual_Rope7110 said: 'Rylan would work well' and Debra Bishop added, 'Rylan Clarke would be hilarious'.
Recently, Rylan was a Eurovision commentator alongside Scott Mills, and he has also presented Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, Supermarket Sweep, The One Show and This Morning.
Metro's Ellie Hutchings has shared who she'd like to see take on hosting duties, should Blind Date return:
'Whoever fronts the Blind Date reboot will have big shoes to fill — Cilla Black was revered for her cheeky charm and effortless rapport with contestants.
'For me, Rylan Clark is the best fit. His infectious energy, razor-sharp wit and natural warmth are all reminiscent of the iconic Cilla.
'Plus, having interviewed people from all walks of life on TV shows such as Big Brother's Bit on the Side and This Morning, I'm sure he'll make the contestants feel at ease (going on a reality dating show is an incredibly vulnerable situation to put yourself in, after all).
'Having spoken openly in the past about his own experiences of love and identity, including his struggles following his divorce from Dan Neal and discussing modern masculinity in his podcast How to be a Man, I'm confident he can bring a fresh approach to the iconic reality show.'
Another popular presenter du jour, Bake Off and This Morning's Alison Hammond was touted by fans as the perfect Blind Date presenter.
Wesley Bear wrote: 'She is hilarious without trying to be. And would certainly fit the ethos of the show I believe.'
Gordon Smith added: 'I think Allison Hammond is almost a shoo-in,' while Tony Finch simply said, 'Can only be Alison Hammond!'
Alison's infectious laugh and down-to-earth personality have made her a firm favourite among TV fans since first appearing on Big Brother in 2002. And funnily enough, she previously revealed she almost chose appearing on Blind Date over the Channel 4 show.
The Chase's Bradley Walsh received heaps of recommendations from Blind Date fans, with Jessica Jane Peers praising the presenter as 'completely hard to dislike'.
He's hosted the enduringly popular ITV game show The Chase since 2009, and in 2024, it won the TV Choice award and NTA for Best Game Show.
Many suggested Bradley Walsh should present Blind Date in tandem with one of his peers.
Rachel Slucock said: 'Bradley Walsh or David Walliams, both would be hilarious,' and Anjii Cooper wrote: 'Bradley Walsh or Lee Mack, they would have a laugh'.
Melle John added: 'It can only be Bradley Walsh or Stephen Mulhern. Yes they do get all the jobs. Cause they're good.'
Speaking of Stephen Mulhern, the presenter was named by several Metro readers as their ideal Blind Date host.
He's previously presented Dancing on Ice and Britain's Got More Talent, and is no stranger to a game show reboot, as the presenter of revived versions of Catchphrase and Deal or No Deal.
Recommending him for Blind Date, Dave Butler said: 'Stephen Mulhurn, funny man BUT knows where to draw the line.'
Victoria Hamilton echoed: 'Stephen Mulhern would be amazing at this,' while Tracy Purches suggested, 'Stephen Mulhern with the narrator from Come Dine with Me as 'our Graham''.
'Our Graham' was how Cilla referred to Graham Skidmore, who provided the voice-over for Blind Date. He died in 2021 at age 90.
Jane McDonald, who fans may recognise from ITV's Loose Women as well as her Channel 5 travel show, Cruising with Jane McDonald, is another popular choice.
Anne-Sarah Cassidy said: 'Jane McDonald would do a brilliant job,' and Tina Smith echoed, 'Jane McDonald would be great'.
Carol Davies simply said: 'I think Jane McDonald would fit the part'.
Jane has most recently hosted the British Soap Awards on ITV on June 5.
And plenty of other popular presenters were named by Blind Date fans too.
June Rae Elvidge said: 'First I thought Graham Norton, but for a laugh I thought how about Jeremy Clarkson? Or even Richard Hammond…it might be worth a giggle'.
IshamaelSunSoar added: 'Davina [McCall] would be my first choice but would like to see Holly [Willoughby] come back and do more TV too'.
And Paul Stables wrote: 'Claudia Winkleman, love her sense of humour on Strictly, she makes that show. You'll never replace Cilla though, that scouse/northern humour.'
Paul certainly isn't the only Blind Date fan who felt no one could live up to the iconic Cilla Black, who passed away age 72 in 2015.
Carl Turner said: 'No one is good enough to replace OUR CILLA… She was everything that kept us glued to our TV screens every Saturday night'. More Trending
Samantha Cunningham agreed, writing: 'Can't imagine anybody being as good as our Cilla'.
Meanwhile, others were keen to see fresh faces host the revival.
Cindy Sanderson said: 'Someone totally new!! Get some open auditions out there, we need fresh new talent!'
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And Karen King echoed: 'A fresh new up and coming presenter. Give them a chance to show their talent. Stop giving the new roles to already set up presenters.'
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