ITV has confirmed the title of a much-awaited dating show that has been described as a "middle-aged Love Island". Presented by former Big Brother host Davina McCall, the new reality show will follow a group of single parents from all over the UK and all walks of life hoping for a second shot at love.
But what the contestants don't know is that their grown-up children, the ones who nominated them to appear on the show, will be playing Cupid the whole time as they watch their every move. Brought to viewers by ITV Studios' Lifted Entertainment, the broadcaster's upcoming reality offering is going to differ vastly in location to Love Island.
Whilst the young singletons of Love Island sun themselves in a Majorcan villa all summer, the parent-focused series will be set in the rolling hills of the English countryside. The romantic retreat that will serve as a matchmaking base for over-35s has already been dubbed the "Viagra House" by local residents in West Sussex, The Mirror reports.
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Originally titled "The Romance Retreat", "My Mum, Your Dad" is pre-recorded, having recently been filmed over the course of six weeks. With ten hour-long episodes to sink their teeth into, viewers will witness the highs and lows of dating again for the parents, who will live at the sprawling Viola House as they try to find love again.
But what the middle-aged singletons don't realise is that their scheming children are watching their every move from nearby secret location "The Bunker". The surveillance room will allow them to be a fly on the wall during their parents' dating journeys, and play matchmaker, choosing who to set their mum or dad up with.
The Bunker will allow the adult children to see a new side to the most important people in their lives as they will be privy to hilarious moments and sweet admissions between their parents and, perhaps, their future step-parents. Whilst My Mum, Your Dad should make for light-hearted viewing, viewers have been warned to get the tissues ready as the show will navigate the highs and lows of getting another chance at love.
Following confirmation of the show's title, Davina said: "Thank goodness the secret is finally out! I've been bursting to tell!!!
"I'm so so excited to host My Mum, Your Dad - this show will have you so invested in the people in it. Fascinating, vibrant individuals who have lived incredible lives already, with a million life lessons under their belts, as they search for their perfect life partner.
"But also with the juiciest twist of any show I've ever worked on."
Davina has been passionate about the format of My Mum, Your Dad for some time, and even pitched a "middle-aged Love Island" to ITV herself. Applications for the show, which will air this autumn on ITV1 and ITVX, opened in February, with the broadcaster requesting "vibrant single parents across the UK who are in search of love", informing applicants that the series would require the participation of a parent and their adult child.
The children could apply themselves and "nominate" their parents, or the parents could put their own names forward.
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