TV boss sets sights on Claudia Winkleman to host Blind Date revival

Classic Saturday night programmes such as Gladiators and Wheel of Fortune have been revived by BBC and ITV bosses this year after a significant time off-screen.

In a new interview, the person behind the reboot of Gladiators discussed plans to bring back Blind Date, which was originally presented by the late Cilla Black.

The hit dating show aired on ITV between November 30, 1985 and May 31, 2003.

Dan Baldwin, the boss of Hungry Bear Media which made Gladiators, told BBC Radio 4 listeners he’s hoping to revive Blind Date.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday, he 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.”

Dan, who is married to Holly Willoughby, added: “Another one that you’d like to see back, Blind Date, are we ready for that? What a Saturday night that was.”

He said he was “thinking of Blind Date with Claudia Winkleman” on BBC One being created for viewers.

Blind Date was revived by Channel 5 in 2017 with the late Paul O’Grady hosting the remake. The show, however, came to an end two years later.

Dan also talked about the future of Gladiators during his interview following the reboot’s success. The revived version of the 1990s gameshow was hosted by father-son-duo Bradley Walsh and Barney Walsh.

Dan explained: “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.”

The launch episode of Gladiators attracted more than six million BBC viewers.

Episodes of Gladiators are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Via

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