Blind Date to return with Paul O'Grady as host

Beloved dating game show Blind Date is being revived by Channel 5 and Paul O'Grady will be on presenting duties.

The British TV personality was famously best friends with the immensely popular ITV series' original host Cilla Black who passed away in 2015.

Black presented the series for 18 years between the years of 1985 and 2003.

Speaking about his appointment, O'Grady commented: “Blind Date is an incredibly special family show which brought, laughter, tears and joy to TV viewers throughout the land.”

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

The revamped Blind Date will be given a 21st century makeover and will include LGBT contestants for the first time ever. It is expected to debut on Friday nights this summer with open auditions currently taking place.

O'Grady shot into the spotlight after playing alter ego Lily Savage on ITV game show Blankety Blank in the 90s. His most recent TV appearance was in ITV series For the Love of Dogs.