Maura Higgins to fill Cilla Black's shoes as host of Blind Date reboot

Now Higgins will become matchmaker-in-chief. The former model from County Longford is starting to make a name for herself in the US, having recently been cast in the new series of Dancing With the Stars.

Angela Jain, head of content at Disney+ EMEA, said Higgins' name was a "shortcut" for a tone that is "cheeky, fun, witty, and warm".

"She is a head turner - literally," Jain told the Edinburgh TV Festival.

Higgins first turned heads in 2019 in the Love Island villa with her attempts to get close to fellow contestant Tommy Fury.

She went on to appear on other reality TV shows including I'm a Celebrity, Dancing on Ice and Cooking with the Stars.

She also became a presenter on Glow Up Ireland, Love Island USA's spin-off Aftersun, and occasional guest slots on ITV's This Morning, as well as fronting her own documentary titled Maura Higgins: You're Joking Me!