Davina McCall is set to be signed by ITV to host a new dating show called Love Island for the middle-aged.
Network sources say she is close to presenting The Romance Retreat program, which will see single parents living in a villa.
They have told The Mail on Sunday that Ms McCall – who pioneered the idea and has become an unofficial spokesperson for middle-aged women – was their first choice.
Beach babe: Davina McCall, 55, is set to be signed by ITV to host a new dating show called Love Island for the middle-aged
“Davina is a perfect fit, she’s bubbly, funny and has also endured her own relationship woes,” said an insider. “She was also a single mom until she met her boyfriend.”
Ms McCall, 55, outlined her idea on Steven Bartlett’s The Diary of a CEO podcast earlier this month, saying: “I could fill a mansion in Love Island with middle-aged people with the best backstories you’ve ever heard in your life to have.
“They’ve lived a life — they’re widows, they’re people who’ve been through horrible divorces. They are people who have broken up with someone and decided that they want to try someone of the same gender as them. They’re such interesting people. I would watch that show.’
New show: Sources on the network say she is close to agreeing to present The Romance Retreat program, which will see single parents living in a mansion
‘Young buck’: You’ve told The Mail on Sunday that Ms McCall – who pioneered the idea and has become an unofficial spokesperson for middle-aged women – was your first choice (summer cast 2022).
The ITV website recently promoted the search for contestants for the series, saying: “ITV1 is looking for vibrant single parents from across the UK who are looking for love for a brand new dating show!
“This is the ONLY dating show where single parents can search for love by spending time in a luxurious retreat where all parents have been nominated by their adult children.”
Mum-of-three McCall – a judge on ITV show The Masked Singer – was first married to Andrew Leggett but they split after just a few months.
She divorced her second husband, presenter Matthew Robertson, in 2017 and is now with hairstylist Michael Douglas, 48. They moved in together before Christmas.
One of Ms McCall’s first television roles was on Channel 4’s dating series Streetmate.
On the show, she scoured the country in search of singles, then tried to find the perfect partner for them by snapping passers-by hoping they would find love.
Hosting duties: They have told The Mail on Sunday that Ms McCall – who pioneered the idea and has become an unofficial spokesperson for middle-aged women – was their first choice (pictures as a judge on The Masked Singer).
Villa: The Romance Retreat and will see participants stay in a luxurious villa to find love (winter 2023 villa pictured).
In an official appeal, the network is seeking “live single parents from across the UK who are looking for love”.
The Romance Retreat and will see participants staying in a luxurious villa to find love.
It appears that the show is very similar to its Love Island concept, however it remains unclear if the winners of The Romance Retreat will win a cash prize at the end of the series.
Last week Ulrika Jonsson threw her hat in the ring to present the show before Davina’s name was mentioned.
The 55-year-old presenter claimed she has a “greater zest for life” now compared to when she was in her 20s when she was scrambling to get the job during Monday’s Good Morning Britain program.
She said: “If you’re hosting this program you should have a wealth of experience in modern dating, very different from the old days of seeing and meeting people in the pub.
Yes, being single should be a requirement. Just because you’re over 50 doesn’t mean you’ve given up on life and aren’t up for new adventures.
“I have a greater zest for life now than I probably did in my 20s and 30s.”
Hopeful: Last week Ulrika Jonsson, 55, threw her hat in the ring to present the show before Davina’s name was called