As the original host of iconic matchmaking show Streetmate, we can’t think of anyone better to front ITV1’s much anticipated new dating experiment, My Mum, Your Dad, than Davina McCall.
Ever since Love Island hit our screens, audiences have been crying out for a spin-off featuring older singles – and their prayers have finally been answered with the network’s latest venture.
The 10-part series takes a group of single parents looking for a second chance at romance and invites them to a country house retreat in West Sussex, where they head off on dates and mingle with other empty-nesters.
Host Davina soon becomes a much-needed shoulder to cry on as the contestants try to address past trauma and come to terms with the many hurdles they have faced throughout their love lives.
Their heartache is something Davina can identify with well.
“There are so many second-time-rounders who have lost someone, or been unsuccessful [in love] time and time again,” says the star, 55. “We can all relate to that.”
Following the breakdown of her 17-year marriage to Matthew Robertson in 2017, Davina has found love again with celebrity hairstylist Michael Douglas, 48.
But while she’s happy to lend her support to the dating hopefuls, Davina reveals she learnt the hard way that it’s important not to get too involved in their personal lives.
“I wanted to be in there all the time giving them advice, but actually, you’ve got to let it play out,” she says.
“The more you get involved, it’s a mistake. What do I know? I don’t know these people.”
The show, which follows eight single parents aged between 44 and 58, is likely to be a hit with Love Island fans.
Plus, it’s also likely to appeal to an older set of viewers who have perhaps grown tired of watching contestants who seem more focused on boosting their social media status than finding true love.
As they arrive for a fortnight of dating fun, the stars of My Mum, Your Dad are unaware that their grown-up offspring, who nominated them for the show, are watching from a bunker nearby, where they will be playing matchmaker.
“I think you do wonder, are they going to just take the mickey out of their parents? Are they going to take it seriously?” Davina says.
“But it matters to them more than anything. I was very proud – the kids were extremely fair, magnanimous, kind, thoughtful and some were quite outspoken.”
Luckily for the kids there are no cameras in the bedrooms, so they don’t have to witness any awkward between-the-sheets moments.
But Davina says there are still plenty of cringey situations that have them gripping “cushions in front their faces” with embarrassment.
“It could be over something quite small because they’ve never seen their parents in a date situation,”
Davina continues. “I’d rather watch the hint of love and a moment of tenderness – that’s so exciting. Jumping into bed and shagging, once you’ve seen it, it doesn’t mean anything. This really means something – when you see people falling in love.”
Among those hoping to find a match are safeguarding officer Sharon, 53, from Sunderland, Scottish baby clinic assistant Caroline, 51, and Essex PE teacher Elliott, 53.
However, it was recent widower Roger and therapist Monique who Davina took a shine to.
“Roger is a style icon,” Davina says of the 58-year-old postman. “What I love about him is he always says the wrong thing. There’s always a slight overshare – like when he says on a date, ‘I use my toothbrush to brush the dog’s teeth.’ He’s phenomenal!
“For Monique, a 50-year-old from north London, we were talking about intimacy and love and it triggered something in her that was incredibly painful.”
Will contestants make sure “their eggs aren’t kept in one basket” or choose to be “closed off” right away? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure, Davina is ready to make the show a hit in its own right.
“It’s my fault that it got called ‘midlife Love Island’ – that’s what I called it in an email to [commissioning editor] Amanda Stavri. I’ve been trying to burn that name ever since!” Davina admits.
And it’s clear to see that the ex-Big Brother host is fully invested, having even put forward some of her nearest and dearest to take part.
“I wrote out five bios of friends of mine. It was hilarious, I really went to town,” Davina laughs. “But Amanda was really sweet. She got back to me quickly and said, ‘We’re not going to do that!’”
The channel instead chose another format, based on an Australian show of the same name, and asked Davina if she would host.
“I just can’t believe it’s happened because I really do believe in it so much,” she gushes. “What’s lovely is that they come and go from the house – there are no evictions. It’s not like we’re going to chuck someone out. If they don’t think they’re going to find love, they decide it’s time to leave.”
However, the moment the singletons learn of their young ones’ secret surveillance is one to behold, Davina teases.
“Their entire life flashes before them,” the mum-of-three giggles. “They all look at each other like, ‘Oh, God!’ It’s very funny.”
Davina’s already keeping her fingers crossed that there will be a second series.
“I hope it’s something kids can watch with their families and you can all have a bit of a laugh and a cry together,” she says.
“In your forties and fifties, when you’ve got children, life is complicated. But midlifers deserve to love and spend the rest of their lives with somebody.”
My Mum, Your Dad, weeknights, 9pm, ITV1
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