BBC to rival Channel 4 with show ‘nearly identical’ to Married At First Sight

Emily Bashforth

Published March 2, 2025 3:39pm Updated March 3, 2025 2:03pm

A bride and groom getting married on Married At First Sight — If you enjoy watching MAFS, then do we have news for you (Picture: Channel 4)

A new dating show is set to launch on BBC that sounds as though it’s almost identical to Married At First Sight.

So, if you enjoy watching hopeful singletons marry complete strangers and then try to find out if they’re compatible when they’ve already tied the knot, this new programme might be right up your street.

Stranded on Honeymoon Island is a new programme coming to the BBC this year.

It’s being hosted by Davina McCall, and the announcement has come mere weeks after her other reality dating series My Mum, Your Dad was axed on ITV.

The new show – which is produced by the same company behind Married At First Sight UK – will see 12 unlucky-in-love singletons go to extremes to find ‘the one.’

The concept is as wild as anything you can imagine, with the stars matched into couples before marrying immediately and then starting their honeymoon on a tropical island.

GRABS: Davina McCall fights back tears as she makes 'really painful' family admission on My Mum, Your Dad — Davina McCall’s other dating show My Mum, Your Dad was axed after just two series (Picture: ITV)

Yes, marrying straight after meeting—could you do it?

The reality show will land on BBC One and iPlayer later this year, with Davina, 57, more than eager to play Cupid once again.

She’ll first meet the singles at a speed dating event in London, after which they will be assigned a partner and left to their own devices in warmer climates.

Given the couples will be abroad together, there’ll be nowhere for them to sulk when the going gets tough, nor will they have friends or family members on hand to offer advice.

Speaking after the show was announced, Big Brother legend Davina said: ‘I am a serial matchmaker, so I jumped at the chance to host the BBC’s new dating show.

The couples will put their new relationships to the test straight away (Picture: BBC/Satit Sewtiw)

‘I can’t wait to meet our couples and find out how they get on when they’re stranded on Honeymoon Island.

‘For some, it will be challenging, and others, idyllic! Hopefully, it’s the start of some very beautiful relationships.’

Stranded on Honeymoon Island might be a new show over here, but it’s actually a tried and tested concept.

Would you take part in Stranded on Honeymoon Island?Comment Now

It was first broadcast in Belgium, and subsequent versions have aired in Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic. A version has also been commissioned in Australia.

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, said of Davina signing on: ‘Davina is the ideal addition to this bold and innovative dating reality show.

‘On Stranded on Honeymoon Island, Davina will be the perfect guide for viewers as the couples embark on the love story of a lifetime where the newlyweds are put to the ultimate test.’

This image and the information contained herein is strictly embargoed until 21.00 Monday 4th September 2023 From Lifted Entertainment My Mum, Your Dad: SR1 on ITV1 and ITVX Pictured: Standing: Kaliel and mum Natalie, Karli and mum Caroline, Taiya and mum Monique and Clayton and son Christian. Sitting: Zachary and dad Elliott, Sharon and daughter Tia, Jessica and dad Roger and Paul and daughter Mazey. This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com — My Mum, Your Dad, was previously described as a ‘middle-aged Love Island’ (Picture: ITV)

News of her latest job comes after The Masked Singer judge was left crushed when her ‘middle-aged Love Island’ got the chop.

My Mum, Your Dad ran for just two series on ITV but allegedly began struggling to find single men of the right age to take part.

This issue was originally reported by The Sun, with a source telling the publication: ‘Strangely, there were lots of stunning women in the 45 to 65 bracket who wanted to take part, but a sad dearth of men who fitted the bill.’

The final nail hasn’t been hammered into the coffin just yet, though, as ITV said there’s a chance they will ‘revisit the show at some point’.

Stranded on Honeymoon Island lands on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.

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