Cilla Black's US date

08-08-2008 13:00

Cilla Black's new dating show 'Loveland' has already been snapped up by bosses in the US.

The Sky One show - which sees contestants select prospective dates based on their lifelike cartoon 'Avatars' - is expected to be such a huge success that Fox TV, who broadcast 'American Idol', have picked up the pilot.

A source said: "It's a bold new format so the Americans just wanted to pounce as soon as possible. Cilla would be a great host in the US but I doubt anyone would be able to understand her Liverpool accent.

"Yet they will still be going for a big name to front what is likely to be a key peak-time show. Dating shows work well in America."

Richard Woolfe, the director of programming for Sky One, added:

After announcing her plans to host the new show Cilla - who hosted TV dating show 'Blind Date' from 1985 to 2003 - said: "I am captivated by the show's modern-day twist on the dating format, which brings something new and exciting to the genre."

Richard Woolfe, the director of programming for Sky One, added: "Cilla is the undisputed queen of the dating show. There have been many pretenders to her throne, but she remains in a class of her own.

"I'm thrilled she shares my passion for Loveland and for bringing the dating show kicking and screaming into the 21st Century."