Disney+ confirms Love Island legend Maura Higgins as new host for Blind Date revival

The revival was first announced last year.

Maura Higgins smiling with her head slightly turned over her shoulder as she poses for a photo.

Katie Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Published: Wednesday, 26 August 2026 at 11:25 am

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Disney+ has confirmed that Love Island icon Maura Higgins will host the reboot of Blind Date.

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Higgins will take the position once held by Cilla Black, who hosted the dating show from 1985 to 2003 on ITV.

Higgins quickly became a household name following her appearance on the ITV2 reality series Love Island in 2019 and has since gone on to carve an impressive television career. As well as the host of the US edition of Aftersun, she was also a contestant on The Traitors US and is set to appear on Dancing with the Stars this year.

Disney+ first announced the revival in June 2025, revealing that the 10-part series would begin in a secret Blind Date location, where contestants must choose between three potential suitors, hidden from view behind the legendary wall.

The streamer has promised a host of "unique, innovative and head-turning format twists," as the daters see if forever love could truly grow as they spend the summer living together, but potential new partners are always lurking behind the wall.

Maura Higgins looking ahead, wearing a chic black dress, inspired hairstyle and full glam on the red carpet at the Golden Globes.

Maura Higgins. Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Angela Jain, head of content, Disney+ EMEA, said (via Broadcast): "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."

It was reported earlier this summer that Higgins was in advanced discussions to host the series.

A source said at the time: "Discussions are at an advanced stage, with the show’s producers convinced Maura’s the perfect choice for the job.

"Not only did she shoot to fame on a TV dating contest, 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."

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Blind Date will be available to stream on Disney+.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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