Melanie Sykes will provide the voiceover on the revamped ‘Blind Date’.
The 46-year-old television presenter has bagged the role – previously held by Graham Skidmore, who was known affectionately by the nation as "Our Graham" – alongside new host Paul O’Grady when the dating show hits television screens this summer.
She said: "It’s an honour to be joining such an iconic show and to be working alongside my dear friend Paul. I can’t wait to help a new generation find love on the show."
The brunette beauty took to Twitter on Tuesday (04.04.17) to share a photograph of herself recording in a sound-proof booth and to make the announcement.
She wrote: "Omg peeps! I am so excited to say I am going to be the new voice of ‘our graham’ on Blind Date’ with the brilliant Paul O’grady classic childhood telly this is me at rehearsals yesterday @channel5_tv co writing with @robcromwell (sic)."
Melanie’s signing comes just weeks after Paul was announced as the person to take over from his late friend Cilla Black, who fronted the show for 18 years, as the host.
The classic game show was fronted by Cilla for almost two decades from 1985 until 2003 and, although a reboot has been in the pipeline for some time, she tragically passed away in 2015 following a fatal fall at her Spanish home.
A source previously revealed: "’Blind Date’ is the original dating show and it’s huge news to bring it back.
"It’s a classic format that will be rebooted to make it young, sexy and modern. Expect sparks to fly. In an age of Tinder, you have got to earn the right to love on this show."
Bosses are keen to keep some of the "traditional" elements of the previous run but have decided to give it an updated twist to appeal to a "new generation of viewers".
It’s expected to run on Friday nights – rather than its traditional Saturday night slot – and will consist of six to eight episodes per series for the first few installments.
The programme sees three singletons grilled by a member of the opposite sex in order to find the perfect match without being able to see them. The new couple then pick an envelope with their holiday destination – abroad or in the UK – inside and will spend the next week trying to get to know one another.
Channel 5 have bought the rights to the dating show but they will have some stiff competition from ITV as it has ‘Take Me Out’ and ‘Meet The Parents’.
‘Blind Date’ proved a hit with viewers for years but the plug was pulled in 2003 when Cilla announced she was quitting during a live episode following a drop in ratings.
Melanie Sykes to voice Blind Date
