Maura Higgins to present Disney+ revival of classic UK dating show 'Blind Date'
Higgins, known from Love Island and Dancing With The Stars, will host a new season of the iconic format in 2027. The show retains its original premise where contestants pick from three hidden suitors. The reboot is a Hulu original commissioned by Disney+ EMEA.
Higgins’s casting follows her recent stint on *Dancing With The Stars*, adding to a reality-TV resume that began with *Love Island*. The revival is set for 2027, with production handled by Stellify Media and So TV, both backed by major studios. Disney+ EMEA’s Sean Doyle noted the service had long avoided new dating formats due to market saturation, but *Blind Date*’s established name offered instant brand recognition. The original ITV run lasted nearly two decades, and a later revival aired on Channel 5 from 2017 to 2019. Disney+ executives praised Higgins for embodying the show’s cheeky, warm tone, calling her a “head turner” in a literal sense.
This reboot could reintroduce a nostalgic format to a streaming audience, potentially drawing older viewers who remember Cilla Black while attracting younger subscribers through Higgins’s reality-TV fame. It may also signal Disney+’s willingness to invest in proven British formats rather than riskier new concepts, possibly shaping how other platforms approach legacy dating shows. The show’s success could influence future casting choices, prioritizing hosts with existing fan bases over traditional presenters.