Blind Date (British game show)

Blind Date
Starring	Cilla Black
Narrated by	Graham Skidmore (1985 - 2002) Tommy Sandhu (2002 - 2003)
Country of origin	United Kingdom
No. of series	18
No. of episodes	356
Production
Producers	London Weekend Television (now branded ITV Studios)
Running time	60mins (inc. adverts)
Original release
Network	ITV
Release	30 November 1985 (1985-11-30) – 31 May 2003 (2003-05-31)
Related
Blind Date (US version) Take Me Out

Blind Date is a British dating game show produced by ITV contractor London Weekend Television. Although an unscreened pilot was made with comic Duncan Norvelle as presenter, it was eventually hosted by Cilla Black, who already hosted the successful LWT series Surprise, Surprise, and ran from 30 November 1985 to 31 May 2003.

Format

The show had a format similar to the TV show known in Australia as Perfect Match or in the US as The Dating Game. Three singles of the same sex were introduced to the audience. They were then asked questions by a single of the opposite sex, who could hear but not see them, in order to choose which one he or she would prefer to go on a date with. Before making a final decision the mysterious 'Graham' (replaced on the final series of the show by Tommy Sandhu), who was never seen, would give an amusing reminder of each of the contestants. When he or she made a choice, and been introduced, the couple would then get to randomly choose where they would go on the date (though in fact the "random choice" was fixed, as all of the envelopes offered to the contestants contained the same destination). The following episode then showed the film of the couple as they went on their date, and interviews with them about the date and about each other. This version was aimed at a family audience. The locations for the date ranged greatly, from Bognor Regis, or a date in an ice cream factory as a typical example, to exotic locations such as Anguila or the Maldives. Part of the process was watching the anticipation and reaction of the contestants when their date was announced.

The show was only successful in producing three "Blind Date Weddings", the third of which was the most famous. Held in September 1998 between Mike and Emma Prince, the wedding was attended by Cilla herself wearing her "New Hat". Cilla loved thinking that a wedding was possible and always mentioned getting a new hat if ever the contestants got on well. Mike and Emma went on a cheese making date in Leicester for a day and went on to a top Indian Restaurant which caused some humour because of Mike's dislike of anything "foreign". Mike and Emma are still happily married and it is rumoured that teetotal Mr Prince is working as an Air Traffic Controller in the south of the UK.

Production

A first pilot was shot in early 1985 fronted by comedian Duncan Norvelle. It was reported that both John Birt, LWT's Director of Programmes and the IBA regulatory body had reservations about Norvelle's camp style in a dating show. Meanwhile, Cilla Black had seen The Dating Game in the US and enthused about it to LWT's Alan Boyd, who produced her Surprise, Surprise series and who had made the Norvelle pilot. After two more pilots starring Cilla, the series was commissioned. Thelma Pickles, an old girlfriend of John Lennon, worked as a producer on the show.

Popularity

At the height of its popularity in the 1980s, 18.2 million viewers tuned in on a Saturday night. Cilla's Scouse accent and her variety of catchphrases soon became familiar throughout the UK. Viewing figures declined by the year 2003 to 5 million viewers.

Cancellation

The series ended in 2003 when, during the first episode of the series - the first in the show's history to be broadcast live - Cilla Black announced she was quitting the show. The production crew had not even been told this prior to the show themselves. Production of the show was halted after the series ended; Trisha Goddard, Dale Winton, Paul O'Grady, Ant and Dec, Claire Sweeney and Jerry Springer were all rumoured to be in line for her replacement, but subsequently, the show was cancelled, as it was felt that Cilla was irreplaceable as the show's host, having hosted it from its inception and having made it her own. However, the station then briefly aired a similar show hosted by Davina McCall, called Love on a Saturday Night.

Famous contestants

Blind Date has featured a number of celebrities who appeared on the show before they became well-known. These include MP Gary Waller (1985), actress Amanda Holden (1990), singer Claudia Patrice (1990), breakfast television presenter Jenni Falconer (1994), children's TV presenter Ortis Deley (1995), stand up comedian Ed Byrne and drummer with The Capers Stuart Dean (2001). Nikki Grahame also appeared on the show before finding fame in Big Brother 7. There was also a Comic Relief special in 1994 when Mr. Bean goes on the show. The sketch featured Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean, Barbara Durkin as Tracy, Mr. Bean's date and Cilla herself. The skit also featured Alan Cumming in one of his earliest on-screen acting roles as Contestant #2.

External links

• Blind Date (UK) at IMDb
• Blind Date (UK) at BFI
• Blind Date (UK) at UKGameshows.com