Entertainment
Amanda Holden ‘to become next Cilla Black as host of new BBC dating show’
Amanda Holden is set to play Cupid in a reported new dating show for the BBC.
The Heart Radio host and Britain’s Got Talent judge is believed to have signed on to the new series which will see single women try to find their perfect man.
Similar to Cilla Black’s iconic Blind Date and Chris Tarrant’s 90s series Man O Man, the show will be a tongue-in-cheek, light entertainment show for all the family.
‘Execs are thrilled to have Amanda on board,’ a source told Daily Star.
‘She is perfect for a dating show because she has a great sense of humour.
‘Everyone working on the show thinks she has the potential to be just like Cilla was years ago on Blind Date. There’s a lot of excitement about this.’
The new dating show, if confirmed, will be a massive full circle moment for Amanda, who actually made one of her first TV appearances as a hopeful on Blind Date aged 19.
Sources added that the show will air at some point this year, after Amanda signed up last month.
Amanda has already had quite the year, with Britain’s Got Talent being cancelled for 2021 due to restrictions on having an audience present.
While that might be a knock for most, the star is still set to earn £1million over the course of the year thanks to her QVC range alone.
The claimed new position for Amanda comes the same week as her 50th birthday – where Simon Cowell gifted her a zimmer frame to mark the occasion.
She is currently taking a week off from her radio duties to celebrate the landmark day.
However, last weekend the TV personality came under fire for travelling to see her parents in Cornwall during lockdown.
Reps said she was ‘devastated’ that she had to, but after a distressing phone call from her elderly parents she felt like she had no choice.
In a statement, Amanda’s agent said: ‘Amanda is aware of the rules and is devastated she had to break them.
‘Amanda is aware that all families are going through difficulty during these turbulent times but received a distressing telephone call from her elderly father on Friday afternoon.
‘On balance Amanda felt the round trip to Cornwall necessary to contain the matter at her family home. The very personal situation has now been aided and Amanda is back in London.
‘Amanda did not act on a whim and has adhered to Covid rules every step of the way in all three lockdowns.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted Amanda’s reps for comment.
Got A Story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : ‘Proud’ Amanda Holden raises bottle of gin to celebrate Everton’s historic win against Liverpool
