Holly Willoughby Addresses 'Blind Date' Revival Presenting Rumours

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Holly Willoughby has ruled herself out of replacing Cilla Black as the new host of ā€˜Blind Dateā€™.

The ā€˜This Morningā€™ presenter has repeatedly been connected with a reboot of the iconic dating show, which was first broadcast on ITV from 1985 to 2003.

David M. Benett via Getty Images

However, when it was announced the show would be returning on Channel 5, former ā€˜Geordie Shoreā€™ star Vicky Pattison was linked to the job.

Holly has now explained that her ties with ITV mean she would be unable to work on the show, telling Digital Spy: ā€œItā€™s on Channel 5, isnā€™t it? Iā€™m ITV.ā€

She added sheā€™s now ā€œexclusiveā€ and ā€œhandcuffedā€ to her channel, despite working for other broadcasters, including the BBC, in the past.

Cilla even gave her blessing for Holly to present a revamped version of ā€˜Blind Dateā€™, after hosting a reboot of another of her classic shows, ā€˜Surprise Surpriseā€™.

Holly fronted a new version of Cilla's old show 'Surprise Surprise'
Holly fronted a new version of Cilla's old show 'Surprise Surprise'
ITV

Speaking in 2013, the late star said on ā€˜This Morningā€™: ā€œHolly works ever so hard, and I used to do 28 shows a year, but look Iā€™m 70 and I think Iā€™ve had my time. You should do it!ā€

Holly also fronted ITVā€™s latest dating series ā€˜Meet The Parentsā€™ last year.

Cilla fronted 'Blind Date' from 1985 to 2003
Cilla fronted 'Blind Date' from 1985 to 2003
Rex/Shutterstock

Kylie Minogue and ā€˜Coronation Streetā€™ actress Katherine Tyldsley are other stars who have been linked to the ā€˜Blind Dateā€™ presenting job.

The series is expected to launch on Channel 5 later this year.

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