Davina McCall has been confirmed as new host of forthcoming ITV reality show The Romance Retreat.
The former Big Brother presenter will take the reigns for the new series, dubbed Love Island for oldies, after being linked with the show earlier this year.
Confirming her involvement on Thursday, McCall, 55, admitted she pleaded with ITV broadcasters to let her front the show, which is expected to air later this year.
In a video posted on her Instagram page, she said: ‘I made it happen. I willed there to be an amazing new dating programme for grown-ups.
‘People who have lived a life, been through experiences, bad, moving, hard, tough lives. They’ve got luggage but they deserve love.
‘And it’s happening. It’s coming to ITV1 soon and we want to know if you want to be on it.’
New role: Davina McCall has been confirmed as new host of forthcoming ITV reality show The Romance Retreat, dubbed ‘Love Island for oldies’
Dream come true: Confirming her involvement on Thursday, McCall admitted she pleaded with ITV broadcasters to let her front the show, which is expected to air later this year
Captioning the video, she wrote: ‘Omg.. i manifested and it came true !! I’ll be hosting a brand NEW grown up dating series for ITV1 !!
‘This is a show for single parents who have lived a life , have stories to tell about their dating pasts and deserve another chance at love and I’m gonna help you It will all take place in the most romantic countryside location !!
‘We are still casting so if u want my help finding love and u have a child who is over 18 , what are you waiting for ??? ( particularly u eligible men .. where are you ?!’
She concluded the post, writing: ‘Sign up here itv.com/beontv It’s going to be AMAZING !’
McCall’s announcement comes after the network confirmed in January that they were working on casting for the show.
Can’t wait: In January sources told The Mail on Sunday that McCall – who pitched the idea, and has become an unofficial spokesperson for middle-aged women – was their first choice
Familiar format: It seems the show is very similar to the Love Island concept, which has seen a sharp decline in viewers over its latest winter series. A reported one million watched the final
A channel spokesperson said: ‘ITV1 are looking for vibrant single parents from across the UK who are in search of love, for a brand new dating show!
‘This is the ONLY dating show where single parents can search for love, by spending time in a luxury retreat, where all the parents have been nominated by their grown up children.’
In January ITV sources revealed she was on the verge of agreeing to present the programme, in which single parents will live in a villa.
They told The Mail on Sunday that McCall – who pitched the idea, and has become an unofficial spokesperson for middle-aged women – was their number one choice.
‘Davina is the perfect fit, she is a bubbly, fun and has also endured her own relationship problems,’ said one insider. ‘Until she met her boyfriend she was a single mother too.’
Hopeful: Ulrika Jonsson threw her hat into the ring to present the show ahead of Davina’s name being mentioned in January
Second chance: ‘People who have lived a life, been through experiences, bad, moving, hard, tough lives. They’ve got luggage but they deserve love, McCall told followers on Thursday
It’s happening: McCall’s announcement comes after the network confirmed in January that they were working on casting for the show
McCall outlined her idea earlier on Steven Bartlett’s podcast, The Diary of a CEO, saying: ‘I could fill a villa in Love Island with middle-aged people with the best backstories you have ever heard in your life.
‘They’ve lived a life – they’re widows, they’re people who have been through horrific divorces. They are people who have split up with somebody and decided they want to try going out with somebody the same sex as them. They’re like interesting people. I’d watch that show.’
The ITV website initially promoted a search for contestants for the series with the announcement: ‘ITV1 are looking for vibrant single parents from across the UK who are in search of love, for a brand new dating show!
‘This is the ONLY dating show where single parents can search for love, by spending time in a luxury retreat, where all the parents have been nominated by their grown up children.’
The Romance Retreat will see contestants stay at a luxurious villa in a bid to find love.
It seems the show is very similar to the Love Island concept, which has seen a sharp decline in viewers over its latest winter series, with a reported one million tuning in for the final.
However, it remains unclear if winners of The Romance Retreat will win a cash prize.
Hosting duties: They have told The Mail on Sunday that Ms McCall – who pitched the idea, and has become an unofficial spokesperson for middle-aged women – was their number one choice (pictures as a judge on The Masked Singer)
Ulrika Jonsson threw her hat into the ring to present the show ahead of Davina’s name being mentioned in January.
The presenter, also 55, claimed she has a ‘greater zest for life now’, compared to her 20s as she made a bid to bag the job, during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.
She said: ‘If you’re hosting that programme, you should have a wealth of experience in modern day dating which is very different than them olden days where you see and meet people in the pub.
‘Yes, being single should be a prerequisite. Just because you’ve over 50 doesn’t mean you’ve given up in life and you don’t want new adventures.
‘I have a greater zest for life now than I probably did in my 20s and 30s.’
