Some things in life are just meant to be together: Ant & Dec, chips and gravy... and Jane McDonald and ‘Blind Date’.
With a new series of the classic Saturday night TV show on the horizon, courtesy of a Channel 5 reboot, we can’t think of a better host than our Jane to front it.
Vicky Pattison, Georgia May Foote and Helen Flanagan have all been linked to the show but, we’re sorry ladies, we think Channel 5 can do a whole lot better.
Fresh from the huge success of her all-too-short four-part series ‘Cruising With Jane McDonald’, the former ‘Loose Woman’ reminded us what an absolute natural she is in front of the camera.
Our official #BackOurJane for ‘Blind Date’ campaign starts right now, and here’s nine reasons why she’s the natural successor to the late, great Cilla Black.
1. She’s down to earth
She might be the most famous cruise ship singer on the planet, but has our Jane let it go to her head? Has she ‘eck. Just like Cilla before her, she’s one of us, which was part of the original ‘Blind Date’s charm.
2. She’s camp (and then some)
OK, that’s an understatement. Jane could teach Biggins a thing or two, quite frankly. And as much as we love the likes Holly Willoughby and Emma Willis, they’re simply not camp enough. Need more evidence? Look no further.
Like properly, laugh-out-loud funny. Being (a) Northern and (b) self-deprecating has a lot to do with it, which Cilla knew all about.
5. She’s got the greatest wave on TV
A highlight of every single one of her appearances on ‘Loose Women’ was Jane’s legendary wave. Ok, so it’s not exactly a prerequisite for being a successful TV presenter, but it’ll give Jane the edge as she sends each newly-matched couple off on their date.
6. She’s a total flirt
It’s a dating show, so we need a flirtatious host, and Jane’s an absolute pro at it. Not an episode of ‘Cruising’ went by without Jane asking someone if they were married or her saying ‘Oooh he’s young enough to be my son’.
7. She could sing the theme tune
Anyone who’s watched ‘Cruising With Jane McDonald’ will know that Jane doesn’t miss an opportunity to belt out a tune, and that‘s before we’ve even got to the camp-as-Christmas song at the end of every episode.
8. She’s already got a relationship with Channel 5
The success of ‘Cruising With Jane McDonald’ has proved Jane can pull in the viewers, and a show like ‘Blind Date’ needs someone who appeals to young and old, men and women, straight and gay. Especially gay.
9. She’s a huge Cilla Black fan
So much so, that she did a medley of Cilla’s songs on her last tour. We reckon that in itself would be enough to have got Cilla’s approval. This poppers-o-clock remix of the Cilla classic ‘You’re My World’, less so.
Join our ‘Our Jane For Blind Date’ campaign on Twitter by sharing the photo below, and don’t forget to include the hashtag #BackOurJane.
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'Loose Women': Where Are They Now?
Jane McDonald(01 of16)
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In what was quite an unexpected move, former cruise ship singer Jane took over as Grizabella in a UK touring production of 'Cats'. The role was previously held by Pussycat Dolls singer, Nicole Scherzinger.
In 2017, she returned to TV with her own Channel 5 series called 'Cruising With Jane McDonald'. She continues to tour the country as a singer, playing numerous concert halls and holiday villages. (credit:Twitter/Jane McDonald)
Carol McGiffin(02 of16)
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Having been on the panel for 10 years before quitting in 2013, she was one of the longest-serving 'Loose Women' of all time.
After revealing that she was recovering from breast cancer on 2015, Carol has made several appearances on UK television, most notably on 'Big Brother's Bit On The Side'.
She has also admitted she wouldn't mind returning to the show - but only if they got rid of some of the current line-up first. Ouch (credit:Keith Hewitt via Getty Images)
Denise Welch(03 of16)
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Since leaving the world of presenting behind when she walked out of 'Loose Women' in 2013, Denise has returned to her first love of acting, starring in a theatre production of 'Steel Magnolias', as well as two series of BBC Two sitcom, 'Boy Meets Girl'.
She also had a two-episode stint as Kyle Slater's mum Alison in 'EastEnders' in 2016. (credit:BBC)
Lisa Maxwell(04 of16)
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Lisa quit 'Loose Women' shortly after Carol McGiffin and Denise Welch, claiming it was "not the same show" as when she first joined.
She had a brief story arc in 'EastEnders' as the lover of David Wicks in 2013, and has since joined the cast of 'Hollyoaks' as Grace Black's mother, Tracey.
In 2016, she also played Judy Garland in the UK tour of 'End of the Rainbow'. (credit:BBC)
Lesley Garrett(05 of16)
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Opera singer Lesley released her 16th album, 'Centre Stage' in 2015, which saw her covering a host of songs from musical theatre. Sadly, where was not a duet of 'I Know Him So Well' with Jane McDonald. (credit:John Snelling via Getty Images)
Beverley Callard(06 of16)
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During her break from 'Coronation Street' days, 'Loose Women' viewers might remember seeing Beverley on the panel for a time, during which she also married her husband, Jon McEwan.Now, of course, Beverley is back where she belongs, behind the bar of the Rover's Return, as Liz McDonald. (credit:ITV)
Carol Vorderman(07 of16)
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It's safe to say Carol Vorderman isn't exactly sitting round with her feet up since departing from 'Loose Women' in 2014. In fact, Vorders is away from our screens an increasing amount at the moment, while she prepares to fly solo around the world with her plane, Mildred, after acquiring her pilot's license.
Although, fans were delighted and shocked in equal measure when Carol signed up for 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!' in 2016, eventually finishing eighth. (credit:Twitter/Carol Vorderman)
Kate Thornton(08 of16)
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Kate told The Sun that she had enrolled in a counselling course after being fired from 'Loose Women' in 2011, due to the fact her TV career had "hit the curb". That said, she has hosted the 'Strictly Come Dancing' live tour, and even had her own show on BBC Radio 2, titled 'Paper Cuts'.
The former 'X Factor' host took a rather unexpected move in 2016, when she launched cashback site TBSeen, with the help of pals including Myleene Klass, Amanda Byram, Denise Van Outen, Lisa Faulkner and Tamzin Outhwaite, (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Sally Lindsay(09 of16)
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Like Denise, former 'Corrie' actress Sally has returned to acting since leaving 'Loose Women'. She has a leading part in the Sky series, 'Mount Pleasant', and took on a meatier role in the BBC drama, 'Ordinary Lies' in 2015, opposite Jason Manford, Jo Joyner and Michelle Keegan. (credit:BBC)
Cilla Black(10 of16)
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After a career in the entertainment industry spanning six decades, Cilla sadly died in August 2015, after suffering a fall while on holiday at her home in Spain.The week of her funeral, her greatest hits collection 'The Very Best Of Cilla Black' topped the UK album chart. (credit:Paul Hampartsoumian/REX)
Sarah Milican(11 of16)
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In her post-'Loose' career, Sarah has gone on to become one of the UK's leading and most loved stand-up comedians, even landing her own comedy series, 'The Sarah Millican Television Programme'. In 2015, she married her fellow stand-up, Gary Delaney. (credit:Brian J Ritchie/Hotsauce/REX)
Myleene Klass(12 of16)
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She may no longer be living the 'Loose' life, but just try and keep Myleene away from telly. In 2015 alone she's appeared on Dictionary Corner on 'Countdown' and hosted 'BBQ Champ', and filmed a new documentary, 'Singing In The Rainforest', which saw her making music with indigenous tribespeople.
Myleene continues to work as a designer for Littlewoods, releasing her own line of lingerie. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Lynda Bellingham(13 of16)
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The great Lynda Bellingham sadly died in 2014, after a battle with colon cancer, but spent her last months trying to raise awareness of the disease, including one memorable final appearance on 'Loose Women', which had all of us in floods of tears. (credit:Rex/ITV)
Jackie Brambles(14 of16)
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Since leaving 'Loose Women' in 2009, Jackie has moved behind the cameras, launching her own digital media business called Broadstance Digital Media Production. (credit:Ferdaus Shamim via Getty Images)
Trish Adudu(15 of16)
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Not one of the first women who springs to mind when we think of 'Loose Women', but Trish was one of the show's original panellists, before leaving the show in 2002. She occasionally presents regional news, and has hosted segments on 'Inside Out' and 'The One Show'. Trish also teaches media studies to teenagers at a school in Coventry. (credit:Rex/ITV)
Karren Brady(16 of16)
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Yep, let it never be forgotten that the 'Apprentice' assistant and Conservative party life peer, Baroness Brady, was also once a 'Loose Women' presenter. (credit:Mark Robert Milan via Getty Images)