TV boss teases return of legendary dating show with Claudia Winkleman as host 39 years on from first ever episode

A TV boss has teased the return of a legendary dating show with Claudia Winkleman as host 39 years on from its first ever episode.

TV viewers have been treated to a number of classic shows being revived in recent months, including Gladiators on BBC One and Wheel of Fortune on ITV.

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A TV boss has teased the return of a legendary dating show with Claudia Winkleman as host 39 years on from its first ever episode[/caption]

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Dan Baldwin – who is married to Holly Willoughby – is the boss of Hungry Bear Media – the company behind the successful Gladiators revival[/caption]

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Dan would love to see the return of Blind Date, which was originally hosted by Cilla Black[/caption]

Now, the brains behind the Gladiators reboot has revealed plans to bring back another iconic programme.

Dan Baldwin, boss at Hungry Bear Media which made Gladiators, is hoping to create more TV magic with the return of Blind Date.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 yesterday, Dan said: “You always look at old shows that are no longer on television. You are always coming up with new ways of bringing back a show.

“There is nothing wrong with that because those shows were great for a reason.

“As well as coming up with new ideas, we’ve always got one eye on what could come back and what could be a hit like Gladiators is.

“Another one that you’d like to see back, Blind Date, are we ready for that? What a Saturday night that was.

“I’m thinking Blind Date with Claudia Winkleman on BBC1, how about it?”

Blind Date first aired in 1985 with Cilla Black as the host and it ran until May 2003.

It was previously revived by Channel 5 in 2017 with the late Paul O’Grady presiding over the matchmaking.

However it came to an end after four series in 2019.

During his interview, Dan – who is married to TV presenter Holly Willoughby – also confirmed there would be a celebrity version of Gladiators following the reboot’s success.

He added: “There is nail biting drama in this show and the underdog coming through.

“And I think as with all sporting events, some of the action and drama is thrilling and you can’t write it. I think that you’re always going to get that on Gladiators.

“Seeing these physical specimens going head to head and the underdog coming out, the doctor or the nurse or the teacher winning, there is always room for that and that’s just part of our culture to enjoy moments like that.

“I think Gladiators is here to stay, I’m going to say, it’s here to stay.”

So Television

Blind Date was revived for four series in 2017 with Paul O’Grady as the host[/caption]

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Dan also confirmed there would be a celebrity spin off of Gladiators[/caption]

Gladiators series one is available on BBC iPlayer.