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Maura Higgins confirms she is the new co-host of US I’m A Celeb, just days after being announced as host of the Blind Date reboot – as she continues the epic US takeover

Maura Higgins confirms she is the new co-host of US I'm A Celeb, just days after being announced as host of the Blind Date reboot - as she continues the epic US takeover

Maura Higgins continues her US TV takeover as she confirmed she is the new host of the US version of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.

The 35-year-old Love Island star is currently training for Dancing With The Stars and has already appeared in the US version of The Traitors while also hosting Love Island US: Aftersun.

And just days after being announced as host of the Blind Date reboot in Britain, Maura has revealed she has added another job to her CV.

Maura shared several US news articles via her Instagram stories on Saturday morning stating that she will host the show alongside co-host Rob Rausch, 28, who she co-starred with in The Traitors.

Confirming the news, she captioned one of the images: “Heyyy co-host @robert_rausch.”

The program will air on Peacock next year, but it is still unclear where it will be recorded.

Maura Higgins continues her US TV takeover as she confirmed she is the new host of the US version of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here [pictured as a contestant on the UK show in 2024]

Just days after being announced as host of the Blind Date reboot in Britain, Maura has revealed she has added another job to her CV

The I’m A Celebrity franchise has struggled to make an impact across the pond, with two previous attempts lasting just one season.

However, Love Island’s American producer ITV America has regularly pitched the show over the years, says CEO David George Term last year: ‘I’m not stopping until that show is sold and I think we’re closer than ever before.’

Maura is of course no stranger to I’m A Celebrity, having starred in the UK version in 2024, where she finished in seventh place.

Meanwhile, she is very familiar with her new co-star Rob, who has appeared in The Traitors alongside the American reality TV star.

The pair even made it to the final earlier this year, with traitor Rob Faithful tricking Maura to win the show.

However, later during the reunion show, Maura stated that she had forgiven Rob after he promised to buy her a Hermes Birkin handbag as an apology.

Like Maura, Rob rose to fame on Love Island after starring in series five and six of the US dating show.

Maura’s big news comes just days after she landed her biggest TV job yet after being confirmed as host of the highly anticipated Blind Date reboot.

Maura shared several US news articles via her Instagram Stories on Saturday morning stating that she will host the show alongside co-host Rob Rausch, 28, who she co-starred with in The Traitors

The pair made it to the final earlier this year, with traitor Rob Faithful tricking Maura to win the show [Maura and Rob on The Traitors US]

The former Love Island star has been hailed as the ‘perfect match’ as ​​she prepares to step into the late Cilla Black’s shoes ahead of the iconic dating show’s upcoming return next year.

The Irish TV personality will continue her American takeover by appearing as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars this fall, before filming the Blind Date reboot in an undisclosed location later this year.

Angela Jain, head of content at Disney+ EMEA, said in a statement: “Maura is the perfect match for our version of Blind Date.

“Her signature candid humor, combined with her experience as a reality dating show contestant, means we know she has the gravitas and wit to bring Blind Date to a new audience.

“We’re really looking forward to Maura helping our daters navigate their own journey to find love as she fills the famed role of Blind Date host.”

Much of the format for the show remains the same, only this time with “innovative format twists and a spicy dose of drama” for a contemporary audience.

As with the original format, contestants must choose between three potential suitors, hidden from view behind the legendary Blind Date wall, the only thing standing between them and their potential true love just meters away.

Maura has seen her profile rise both in the UK and on the other side of the world.

Maura’s exciting news comes just days after she landed her biggest TV job yet, as she has been officially announced as the host of the Blind Date reboot

The former Love Island star was previously tipped to step into the late Cilla Black’s shoes [pictured in 1995] shoes back in June, amid the iconic dating show’s upcoming return to screens

After hosting the Love Island Games and Love Island US: Aftersun last year, she gained even more traction when she reached the final of The Traitors US.

So it’s no wonder bosses have been eyeing her for the big TV role, with a source saying in June: ‘Discussions are at an advanced stage, with the show’s producers convinced Maura is the perfect choice for the job.

They added The sun: ‘Not only did she become famous on a TV dating competition, she is now an internationally known face, which is exactly what a global service like Disney needs for one of their shows.

‘Maura also has an undeniable glamor combined with a cheeky charm reminiscent of Blind Date’s most famous presenter.’

Cilla Black presented Blind Date from its debut in 1985 until the show was axed in 2003 after the show failed to reach the heights of its heyday of 18 million viewers per show.

The show was later revived in 2017 on Channel 5 with the late Paul O’Grady as host, but the reboot only lasted two years.

In addition to her successful modeling career, Maura has made several TV appearances as a presenter and contestant including Dancing On Ice, Glow Up Ireland, Supermarket Sweep, National Television Awards and Loose Women.

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