DATING shows come and go at an alarming rate – but Love Is Blind is going from strength to strength.
The Netflix hit, which is hosted by Emma and Matt Willis and sees contestants given the chance to marry, is about to launch a new spin-off.
The new show will follow how couples on seasons one and two are faring in “the real world”.
It will be a similar format to US version Love Is Blind: After The Altar, though the UK spin-off has yet to have its title confirmed.
A TV insider said: “The spin-off series reunites couples, exes and fan favourites from the first British series.
“Among the familiar faces will be Megan and Kieran, celebrating their first wedding anniversary, Bobby and Jasmine, preparing to welcome their first child with a baby shower, and Kal and Sarover, meeting for the first time since their dramatic reunion rev-ealed they had split.”
READ MORE ON LOVE IS BLIND
There is no firm date yet, but it is expected to go out at some point next year before season three of the regular series returns.
I exclusively revealed in June that Netflix had ordered a third series of Love Is Blind before the second had even hit screens.
The streamer confirmed the news weeks later.
The decision came after the first two series — which dropped last year and this year — were a huge success.
The show received more than 40million views in its first month.
Participants “date” without ever physically seeing each other, with the aim of reaching a marriage proposal.
Only once they are engaged can the couples meet in person.
The series then follows them as they decide if they really do want to tie the knot — and prove love can be blind.
Now, this spin-off will show if love can really be forever, as well.
SU & KATE LOOKING GREAT
ITV breakfast hosts Susanna Reid and Kate Garraway had an unusually late night at ITV’s Palooza party.
The Good Morning Britain duo, dazzling in red and black outfits, rocked the red carpet at the bash in London on Tuesday.
The event showcases all the programmes being delivered by the channel over the years ahead, as well as its many stars, who turned up to show their support.
They included Olivia Attwood and Vicky McClure, as well as This Morning hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard. Also from GMB were Ed Balls and Richard Madeley – though, strangely, they didn’t get quite as much attention from the cameras as our Kate and Susanna.
Never mind, fellas.
RICKY NAILS THEORY
RICKY GERVAIS turned down a place on The Celebrity Traitors – because he came up with the “big dogs” theory long before Joe Marler did.
The idea was that the high-profile names would be the central targets for both murderers and fellow stars trying to detect the baddies.
This was revealed by Jonathan Ross, who was a contestants on the recent BBC One series.
Talking on his Reel Talk podcast yesterday he said: “I had a chat this week with Ricky Gervais. He called me after the Traitors. And he was asked to go in.
“He called me because I think my name had got out there, nothing had been confirmed before we filmed it.
“He said ‘Are you doing this Traitors thing?’ I said ‘Yeah, I’m doing it. Stephen Fry is definitely doing it, and Alan [Carr] is going in…’.
“And he said ‘I’m not doing it. The reason I’m not doing it is: I’m pretty sure that if you go in there they’re gonna say it’s gonna have to be one of these bigger names and you’re gonna wind up getting voted out just because they think you’re a bigger name in the outside world.’
“So he nailed the Big Dogs theory. And I said ‘Well, you were right’.”
WARNER BROTHERS BLASTED
GENTLEMAN JACK writer Sally Wainwright has blasted US entertainment giant Warner Brothers for scrapping a third series of the hit show.
The creator of the BBC and HBO co-production explored the life of diarist and gay icon Anne Lister, played by Suranne Jones.
Talking in a Royal Television Society interview she said: “HBO didn’t want to go again on the third and it wasn’t them, it wasn’t the people we were working with at HBO.
“They’d been taken over by Warner Bros, who didn’t want to continue the drama about a queer Yorkshirewoman.
“They just wanted to make more shows about men with guns.”
A good point, strongly made.
GORKA GOES CRAZY
STRICTLY dancer Gorka Marquez has sparked a huge row on the Spanish version – Dancing With The Stars.
In the latest episode, actress Sara Escudero was up against model and singer Blanca Romero in the dreaded dance off.
Judge Julia Gomez Cora had the casting vote and saved Blanca – a decision that infuriated fellow judge Gorka, left.
He ranted at Julia: “You just said five minutes ago that you think she’s disrespectful, that she dances without enthusiasm, and now you go and save someone who in nine weeks has complained, spoken badly to her partner, hasn’t even tried . . . and now you send the one who’s actually enthusiastic home.
“We’re dance professionals and we’ve just lost all sense of judgment!”
ENDERS MINI-ME SPECIAL
EASTENDERS went big earlier this year as it celebrated its 40th anniversary – now they’re going small and it’s all for a good cause.
The BBC One soap will serve up mini Kat, mini Phil and mini Billy, all played by kids, as part of a special sketch filmed in the Queen Vic for this year’s Children In Need appeal .
Jessie Wallace (Kat), Perry Fenwick (BIlly) and Steve McFadden (Phil) are stepping aside with the new “mini” cast members being joined by regular, full sized stars Shane Richie and Jaqueline Jossa as Alfie Moon and Lauren Branning.
The fundraising and awareness raising night will have children at the heart of all the sketches and performances.
It’s starts at 7pm tomorrow night on BBC One and iPlayer and remember to donate what you can.
NETFLIX has greenlit a movie sequel for top detective drama, Luther.
The streamer has confirmed it is on its way and will see Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson reprise their roles as the troubled cop and villain Alice Morgan.
The story will pick up where 2023 film Luther: The Fallen Sun finished.
DISNEY sci-fi show Alien: Earth has been given a second series . . . and it’s heading for London.
The thriller – inspired by the Alien movies – sees the monsters crash-land, putting Earth in grave danger.
The first series was made in Thailand, but filming for the sequel starts in London next year.
