ITV hunt for OAPS for new Love Island-style dating spin-off
TV dating shows are now looking for even older singletons — with a new one aimed at grandparents.
Date My Nan will follow a string of mature romantics as they head out on a rendezvous with a potential partner.
Bosses have been inspired by the success of last year’s middle-aged love search My Mum, Your Dad on ITV.
Casting agents are also looking for a loved one — possibly a grandchild, friend or neighbour — to help the older daters.
A TV source said: “The dates and possible love matches are brilliant but they’re just part of Date My Nan.
“Producers know the gentle, emotional scenes as the older daters get ready with their loved one will lead to genuinely lovely, heartwarming content.
“On My Mum, Your Dad, viewers really rated the honest moments where the men opened up to each other, or widower Roger broke down in tears over his late wife’s cancer.
“Viewers don’t just want to see beautiful people pursue their lust any more — and Date My Nan will have that depth.”
Work on Date My Nan — its working title — is under way via production company MultiStory Media.
ITV is looking at the format for its Fresh Cuts arm, which aims to champion “thought-provoking” content for all its platforms.
That means Date My Nan could stream online as well as on terrestrial channels.
My Mum, Your Dad followed a group of single parents aged 40 plus who had been set up by their own children.
Hosted by Davina McCall, it was nominated for a Bafta award after it aired in September last year.
The second series has already been filmed and is expected to be screened in the autumn.