Davina McCall set to present ‘middle-aged Love Island’ after pitching it to ITV bosses

ITV is reportedly lining up an older spin on Love Island, with Davina McCall presenting.

The Mail on Sunday sources claim that the 55 year old former Big Brother host is close to landing the gig, which would be titled The Romance Retreat and invites single parents to take centre stage.

Davina herself pitched the idea to the broadcaster, with a show insider going on to stress how she's "the perfect fit; she is a bubbly, fun and has also endured her own relationship problems. Until she met her boyfriend she was a single mother too."

The search for its potential cast is already in motion, with an official advert reading: "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."

Davina originally outlined her dating show concept while stopping by Steven Bartlett's podcast The Diary of a CEO this month.

"I could fill a villa in Love Island with middle-aged people with the best backstories you have ever heard in your life," she told him.

"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."

Apparently, when she reached out to ITV with this one in her back pocket, they revealed that something in a similar vein was in the works.

"I was like 'I need to present it please,'" admitted Davina. "They said, 'We're looking at something else that's quite similar, we might consider you for that'

"Well if I hadn't sent them that email in the first place, they wouldn't have thought about me for the other show maybe. You've got to make opportunities happen – they never just come to you. Keep walking."

And yet, she faces stiff competition from wannabe The Romance Retreat host Ulrika Jonsson.

Throwing her hat into the ring via Good Morning Britain, the 55 year old reflected: "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 pre-requisite. Just because you're 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."

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