Al Porter has admitted that he “jumped at the chance” to host the Irish version of Blind Date on TV3.
Blind Date was made famous by the late Cilla Black, and Al is “beyond delighted” with the opportunity to front the much-anticipated dating show.
“I leapt at the chance to do it,” Al said in a statement.
“Since I was a kid on stage in the Olympia, all I’ve ever wanted to do was cheer people up and entertain as many people as possible.
Exciting times: Al has landed his first major TV gig | BRIAN MCEVOY
“I remember watching shows like Blind Date as my Mam ironed and my Nana laughed and it was doing just that – cheering us all up.”
This will be Al’s first major TV gig, which he says will be “shiny, silly fun”.
“To think I’ve the opportunity to be welcomed into people’s homes each week on TV3 for a bit of shiny, silly fun is a privilege. I hope people love it.
“The most fun for me is that, like my panto and radio work, Blind Date on TV3 will be broad, fun, family entertainment,” he said.
Entertainment: Al says Blind Date will be “shiny, silly fun” | BRIAN MCEVOY
Blind Date originally premiered on ITV, and ran for nearly 20 years up until 2003.
TV3 bought the rights to Blind Date in 2014, and Lucy Kennedy was originally set to present the show. However, the station sadly dropped plans for the show at the time.
Filming for Blind Date is set to begin soon, and any interested singletons wanting to take part can apply online here.
