Channel 5 to revive Blind Date

I went to the final taping day of the series last night. It wasn't the usual game being filmed. Instead it was Paul interviewing 6 returnee couples for over the space of six shows from the series to talk about their recent dates. One of the interviews included a couple from last nights LGBT show.

I've never seen Paul do a show live before and I found him genuinely funny. He wasn't afraid to mention Cilla in between filming. If he made a mistake or they asked him to re-take something he'd joke and point to the ceiling and say "This is your doing Cilla! Just you wait til I get up there!"

I think it was a right choice to choose Paul, he does this show very well. Paul also said they taped Christmas show on Friday too.

For continuity did Paul have to change outfits between returning couples?


I'm really enjoying this series and it's becoming weekly highlight of my TV viewing. Last nights episode had the brilliant combination of two returning couples, one who got along brilliantly and the other who did not seem right for each other one little bit. The LGBT round felt like such a natural progression for the show and didn't stick out with it having one heterosexual selection before hand.

Is there any news on the ratings for the series?

Surprisingly he didn't! So i'm assuming the suit he had on rotates on several episodes meaning he didn't have to change.

They did have a two minute pause where the Dale Winton lookalike warm up man threw chocolates to the audience. He claimed to be on the original Blind Date but i'm taking that with a pinch of salt as what ever he says could be part of the act.

Well guess we can't judge until we know the context of the act. It wouldn't surprise me. Don't forget Paul did the warm up as Lilly for the original Blind Date too.

BARB says the first week got 2.25 million (including SD, HD & +1) and was Channel 5 most watched show, the 2nd week got 1.67 million and was Channel 5 3rd most watched show that week. Last night overnights however it went below 1 million getting 958,000 (including SD, HD & +1) which you could argue isn't good or you could argue is good for a summer saturday night on Channel 5.

It's a really good revival. It's the sort of show on a channel like Channel 5 only ever gets two series at most. Whereas is ITV it'll probably run for several series.

The Irish version of Blind Date launches on Sunday evening on TV3. Looking at previews of the show, the Irish version takes elements of the UK set, such as the dark background and round circles.

Comedian Al Porter presents, with fellow comedian Tara Flynn as the voiceover.

Produced by So Television I guess?

Where can we see the set?

Here's a promo pic for now.

As opposed to quadrilateral circles or triangular circles?

It's a tough timeslot. They thought about putting it out on Friday nights originally.