Davina McCall has been named as the host of the new Love Island show, and she’s since revealed she “manifested” the role.
As some may already be aware, ITV has announced that they plan to create a Love Island-style spinoff featuring “middle aged” cast members.
The show, set to be called The Romance Retreat, will be shown on the network’s main channel, and they have already put out a casting call.
The Romance Retreat, a show similar to Love Island, is setting up shop at a luxurious, ultra-modern villa. Though its exact location remains a mystery, producers have released some teasers of the opulent estate, providing eager contestants with an enticing preview.
“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.”
It has not been announced whether the upcoming show will also feature a cash prize, but it looks just as compelling as its younger counterpart.
After hearing the news, fans of Love Island rushed to Twitter to share their thoughts on the exciting new concept, and it seems they love it…
One tweeted: “I’d rather watch this than the current Love Island show. Hopefully we’ll see more ‘real’ characters.”
While another chimed: “Lol ha fab! Il go on I’m 52 in a few weeks and so used to be in on own with my dog lol.”
However, some weren’t as impressed, with a third writing: “Doubtlessly they’ll be very glamorous, independently wealthy single parents who have enough support that they can ditch their kids for several weeks? I’m sure that’s very representative.”
When the news first came out, many people voiced their top picks for the position of host, and it seems Davina McCall was the frontrunner.
In 2017, at the age of fifty, the former Big Brother presenter went through a divorce from her husband Matthew Robertson. Now fifty-five years old, she is dating her hairdresser Michael Douglas and hopes to be able to assist other mature singles in finding their ideal partner.
McCall even recently expressed interest in the job. The former Big Brother presenter has officially put her name forward as a candidate.
Talking to Steven Bartlett on his Diary of a CEO podcast, the fifty-five-year-old said: “I’m literally begging ITV to let me present mid-life Love Island. I could fill a villa in Love Island 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’re people who have split up with somebody and decided they want to try to go out with somebody the same s*x as them.
“They’re interesting people! I’d watch that show.”
And now, In a video expressing her enthusiasm for the upcoming show, McCall has verified that she will indeed be the new host.
In the clip, she said: “I manifested and I made it happen. I willed there to be an amazing new dating program for grown-ups, people who have lived a life, who have been through experiences, bad, moving, they’ve had tough lives.
“They’ve got luggage but they deserve love and it’s happening. It’s coming to ITV soon.”
She also wrote in the caption: “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!”
