Maura Higgins, the 35-year-old Love Island star currently competing on Dancing With The Stars, is reportedly set to host the Disney+ reboot of the classic dating show Blind Date. According to a source cited by The Sun, Higgins is poised to sign with the streaming giant, with filming scheduled for later this year. The show, originally hosted by the late Cilla Black from 1985 to 2003, drew up to 18 million viewers at its peak and was revived briefly on Channel 5 with Paul O'Grady from 2017 to 2019.

The $30 million gamble on a British classic

Disney+ is betting that a fresh take on a beloved British format can cut through a crowded streaming market . Blind Date was a cultural phenomenon in the UK, drawing audience numbers that today's fragmented media landscape can only dream of. The source told The Sun that Higgins, who rose to fame on a dating show herself, brings "international fame and glamour" along with "cheeky charm" — qualities that a global service like Disney+ needs for a flagship revival. The reported move comes as Disney+ continues to invest in unscripted content to lure subscribers, following hits like The Kardashians and local adaptations of international formats.

Why the ghost of 18 million viewers haunts every reboot

Blind Date's original run set a bar that no revival has yet cleared. the 2017 Channel 5 version with Paul O'Grady lasted only two series, failing to recapture the magic of the 1980s and 1990s heyday. the last attempt, announced in June 2023, had names like Claudia Winkleman, Holly Willoughby, and Davina McCall floated as potential hosts — but none materialised. Now Disney+ is turning to a reality-TV personality whose fame was forged on a different kind of dating show, suggesting the network is betting on star power over nostalgia alone. According to the Daily Mail, representatives for Higgins have been contacted for comment, but no official confirmation has been given.

Higgins' international runway: From Love Island Games to Sports Illustrated

Higgins has already hosted shows such as Love Island Games and Love Island USA: Aftersun, and last year she reached the final of The Traitors US. Her recent high-profile runway walk for Sports Illustrated during Miami Swim Week — which she called "a vision board becoming reality" — underscores her growing transatlantic profile. The source emphasised that Higgins is "an internationally famous face," a qualification Disney+ apparently values for a show that will be available on a global platform. Yet her primary association remains with dating competitions, a double-edged sword: it lends authenticity but could limit her appeal beyond that niche.

The unanswered question: Can Disney+ lure a loyal audience?

What remains unclear is the exact format of the Disney+ version. Will it stick to the classic three-contestant, two-question structure that made Cilla Black a household name, or will it be modernised for a streaming audience accustomed to binge-worthy twists? The source did not reveal details about the production team, the prize, or whether the show will be filmed in the UK. Additionally, Disney+ has not issued a formal statement, leaving room for speculation about whether the deal is truly final. The earlier 2023 rumour mill included other star names — but Higgins appears to be the closest to signing.

As reported by The Sun, Maura Higgins is due to sign with Disney+ for the dating show, with filming scheduled for later this year. The Daily Mail have contacted Maura's representatives for comment.