Davina McCall CONFIRMS she will present ‘Love Island for oldies’ The Romance Retreat

Davina McCall has been confirmed as new host of forthcoming ITV reality show The Romance Retreat.

The former Big Brother presenter will take the reigns for the new series, dubbed Love Island for oldies, after being linked with the show earlier this year. 

Confirming her involvement on Thursday, McCall, 55, admitted she pleaded with ITV broadcasters to let her front the show, which is expected to air later this year. 

In a video posted on her Instagram page, she said: ‘I made it happen. I willed there to be an amazing new dating programme for grown-ups. 

‘People who have lived a life, been through experiences, bad, moving, hard, tough lives. They’ve got luggage but they deserve love.

‘And it’s happening. It’s coming to ITV1 soon and we want to know if you want to be on it.’ 

New role: Davina McCall has been confirmed as new host of forthcoming ITV reality show The Romance Retreat, dubbed ‘Love Island for oldies’ 

Dream come true: Confirming her involvement on Thursday, McCall admitted she pleaded with ITV broadcasters to let her front the show, which is expected to air later this year

Captioning the video, 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 ?!’

She concluded the post, writing: ‘Sign up here itv.com/beontv It’s going to be AMAZING !’ 

McCall’s announcement comes after the network announced in January that they were working on casting for the show.

A channel spokesperson said: ‘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.’ 

In January ITV sources revealed she was on the verge of agreeing to present the programme, in which single parents will live in a villa.

They told The Mail on Sunday that McCall – who pitched the idea, and has become an unofficial spokesperson for middle-aged women – was their number one choice.