The Romance Retreat: New host confirmed for 'middle-aged' Love Island
The 'single parents' dating show is coming soon
Last updated 8th Jun 2023
New ITV show The Romance Retreat has certainly got fans excited! The series, which has been rumoured for years, is a Love Island spin-off for single parents looking to find love. And now, ITV have amped up the excitement by announcing the official host for the brand new show!
TV legend Davina McCall will be fronting The Romance Retreat, with the show set to air later in 2023. Overjoyed with her new role, Davina took to Instagram to enthuse over the "amazing new dating programme". Alongside a video of her talking up the new show, she wrote: '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 !! 🎉🥰💥 🙌🏻🙌🏻 We are still casting so if u want my help finding love and u have a child who is over 18 , what are you waiting for ??? ( particularly u eligible men .. where are you ?! 👀)'. (sic)
As well as encouraging single parents to apply for the show, Big Brother hosting legend Davina also revealed that the location will be in the countryside. Can it get more romantic than that?!
The Romance Retreat (which is currently the working title for the show), will see a fresh new dating format that'll follow single parents from all over the UK, and from all walks of life, as they live together in a stunning countryside house on a quest to find love.
What is The Romance Retreat?
The Romance Retreat is a brand new dating show set to air on ITV.
ITV say of the show: '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.'
Where is it being filmed?
Although the exact location of the villa hasn't been announced, it appears ITV have revealed a little clue as to what it looks like, sharing a photo of a stunning looking villa to the application page.
The villa is said to be in the countryside, seemingly in the UK.
How to apply?
Applications are now open, with people being advised to apply for The Romance Retreat on the ITV website.
You can apply for the show either as a parent, or as a child nominating your parent.
The closing date for applications is Friday 31st March 2023 at 23:59pm.
Who is the host?
The Masked Singer judge, and Big Brother legend, Davina McCall will be hosting the new series! Prior to the announcement, Davina made it clear she was very keen on the job.
Speaking on Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO podcast, the 55-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 back stories 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 sex as them.
"They’re interesting people! I’d watch that show."
When is it on TV?
No official air date for The Romance Retreat has been given just yet, but applications close at the end of March and ITV have revealed it will air later in 2023.
What channel will it be on?
The Romance Retreat will be on ITV1 and ITVX.
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