Amanda Holden secures ‘big-money deal to host her own BBC dating show’

Amanda Holden secures ‘big-money deal to host her own BBC dating show’ as she’s tipped to become ‘the next Cilla Black’

Amanda Holden has reportedly landed a ‘big-money’ deal with her own dating show on BBC. 

The Britain’s Got Talent judge, 50, who appeared on Blind Date when she was just 19-years-old, is pegged to become the next Cilla Black, who hosted the iconic dating show from 1985 to 2003.

It is believed she has been in secret talks with TV producers for weeks, who are now ‘thrilled’ to be working with the star due to her sense of humour. 

New gig: Amanda Holden has reportedly landed a 'big-money' deal with her own dating show on BBC as TV executives are 'thrilled' to have her on board

New gig: Amanda Holden has reportedly landed a ‘big-money’ deal with her own dating show on BBC as TV executives are ‘thrilled’ to have her on board

An insider told The Daily Star on Saturday: ‘Execs are thrilled to have Amanda on board. She is perfect for a dating show because she has a great sense of humour.

‘Everyone working on the show thinks she has the potential to be just like Cilla was years ago on Blind Date. There’s a lot of excitement about this.

‘Producers want it to be perfect light entertainment the whole family can watch together.’ 

Amanda reportedly signed up for the presenter role last month, and the show is expected to air later this year, marking over 30 years since she appeared on Blind Date. 

Wow: The BGT judge, 50, who appeared on Blind Date when she was just 19-years-old, is pegged as the next Cilla Black, who hosted the iconic dating show from 1985 to 2003

Wow: The BGT judge, 50, who appeared on Blind Date when she was just 19-years-old, is pegged as the next Cilla Black, who hosted the iconic dating show from 1985 to 2003

The format will feature single women as they try to select their dream man from a line-up of potential suitors, a nod to the 90s show Man O Man, presented by Chris Tarrant. 

Rejected participants will be ejected from the show through a trapdoor, as the source confirmed the show won’t ‘take itself too seriously’ and will be ‘a good laugh.’    

MailOnline have contacted BBC and Amanda’s reps for comment. 

The announcement comes after she was reported to police for making a 215-mile trip from London to Cornwall during lockdown.  

The Britain’s Got Talent judge went to see her parents after she got a ‘distressing phone call’ from her stepfather Les Collister on the weekend before her 50th birthday.

Baby face: Amanda reportedly signed up for the presenter role last month, and the show is expected to air later this year, marking over 30 years since she appeared on Blind Date (pictured in 1990)

Baby face: Amanda reportedly signed up for the presenter role last month, and the show is expected to air later this year, marking over 30 years since she appeared on Blind Date (pictured in 1990)

Inspiration: The format will feature single women as they try to select their dream man from a line-up of potential suitors, a nod to the 90s show Man O Man, presented by Chris Tarrant

Inspiration: The format will feature single women as they try to select their dream man from a line-up of potential suitors, a nod to the 90s show Man O Man, presented by Chris Tarrant

Amanda took a black Mercedes from Richmond to a small hamlet near Bude to see the 75-year-old and her 71-year-old mother Judith on Friday – it is believed she had not seen the pair for a year prior to the visit. 

Devon and Cornwall Police had previously warned visitors that they would face a fine for breaking lockdown restrictions but a source has since told The Sun: ‘Officers turned up at [Amanda’s] parents’ this afternoon to ask about the visit.

‘As they left they said this would be the end of the matter.’ 

Friends of Amanda said although she knew she should not have made the journey, she was so concerned about her parents’ welfare she felt she had no option. 

Worried: The new show announcement comes after she was reported to police for making a 215-mile trip from London to Cornwall after getting a distressing call from her stepfather

Worried: The new show announcement comes after she was reported to police for making a 215-mile trip from London to Cornwall after getting a distressing call from her stepfather