Blind Date To Return To TV

Blind Date is to return to television screens later this year, it has been confirmed.

The show – which saw singletons looking for love – was previously hosted by the late Cilla Black between 1985 and 2003. The new host for this series has been named as Paul O'Grady, a close friend of Black.

Commenting on the announcement, O'Grady said: "Blind Date is an incredibly special family show which brought laughter, tears and joy to TV viewers throughout the land. I am honoured to present the brand new series and, after speaking to Channel 5, I know the series is in safe hands. I can't wait to see if we can find love."

In its official statement, Channel 5 added: "With no chance to swipe left, send a selfie or message back, the class of 2017 must break with modern-day dating convention and rely on their basic instincts to find the chemistry."

Ben Frow, Director of Programmes for Channel 5, said: "Paul is the perfect choice to bridge the old and the new, capturing the essence and charm of a series that became staple Saturday night family viewing in living rooms up and down the country, whilst attracting and appealing to a whole new generation of TV viewers."

The series will air on Channel 5 later in 2017, but an official date has not yet been announced.

(JP/LM)