Davina McCall reveals what we can expect from her new show My Mum, Your Dad

It's hitting our screens on 11th September!

Author: Charlotte RoszkoPublished 5th Sep 2023

Reality TV fans were delighted when ITV announced the launch of the brand-new dating show My Mum, Your Dad, which will be hosted by TV icon Davina McCall.

The show will follow a group of single parents who have been nominated for the show by their grown-up children as they look for love.

Speaking to OK! Magazine, 55-year-old Davina reveals how she 'manifested' her role on the show, explaining that she approached ITV with her idea for a middle-aged dating show - even putting some of her friends forward as potential contestants!

She said: "It's my fault that it got called Midlife Love Island - that's what I called it in an email to ITV Commissioning Editor Amanda Stavri. I've been trying to burn that name ever since!

"I wrote out five bios of friends of mine - it was hilarious, I really went to town. But Amanda was really sweet, she got back to me quickly and said, 'We're not going to do that!'"

ITV later opted to go with a format for the show which is based on an Australian show, also called My Mum, Your Dad. Davina was thrilled to get asked to host the show, which she is so passionate about.

As with most reality shows, there is a big surprise in store for the parents who are taking part in the show. Unknown to them, their children will be watching them in 'The Bunker' as they get the chance to play matchmaker and decide their fate.

Take a look at the cast of My Mum, Your Dad:

Monique and Taiya


Monique - Nominated by her daughter Taiya

Age: 50
From: Winchmore Hill
Occupation: Therapist/Student

Taiya

Age: 21
From: North London
Occupation: Student

Sharon and Tia


Sharon - Nominated by her daughter Tia

Age: 53
From: Sunderland
Occupation: Safeguarding and Welfare Officer in Education

Tia

Age: 24
From: Sunderland
Occupation: Social Media Influencer

Caroline and Carli


Caroline - Nominated by her daughter Carli

Age: 51
From: South Lanarkshire
0ccupation: Tech Advisor/Scan Assistant

Carli

Age: 20
From: South Lanarkshire
Occupation: Flight Attendant

Natalie and Kaliel


Natalie - Nominated by her son Kaliel

Age: 44
From: Bournemouth
Occupation: Self-Esteem and Relationship Recovery Coach

Kaliel

Age: 20
From: Bournemouth
Occupation: Gas and Plumbing Apprentice

Paul and Mazey


Paul - Nominated by his daughter Mazey

Age: 47
From: London
Occupation: Owner of a Decorating Company

Mazey

Age: 21
From: Bath
Occupation: University Student

Clayton and Christian


Clayton - Nominated by his son Christian

Age: 57
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Pastoral Support Officer

Christian

Age: 35
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Graphic Artist/Warehouse Employee

Roger and Jess


Roger - Nominated by his daughter Jess

Age: 58
From: Derbyshire
Occupation: Postman

Jess

Age: 28
From: Derbyshire
Occupation: Network Rail Planner

Elliot and Zachary


Elliot - Nominated by his son Zachary

Age: 53
From: Essex
Occupation: PE Teacher and Football Coach

Zachary

Age: 21
From: Essex
Occupation: University Student

Janey and Will


Janey - Nominated by her son Will

Age: 47
From: West Sussex
Occupation: Singer/Recruitment Manager

Will

Age: 19
From: West Sussex
Occupation: Student

Martin H and Jessica


Martin H - Nominated by his daughter Jessica

Age: 56
From: Birmingham - Lives in Epson
Occupation: Retired basketball player/Sports Presenter and MD

Jessica

Age: 23
From: Epsom
Occupation: Model/Sales & Marketing/Mental Health Skills Coaching

Tolullah and Georgia-Blu


Tolullah - Nominated by her daughter Georgia-Blu

Age: 50
From: London
Occupation: Design consultant/Journalist

Georgia-Blu

Age: 28
From: London
From: Chartered Accountant

Martin M and Luke


Martin M - Nominated by his son Luke

Age: 52
From: Derby/Lives in Ibiza
Occupation: Property developer

Luke

Age: 18
From: Ibiza
Occupation: Bartender

Speaking about what we can expect, Davina said: "I think you wonder, are they going to just take the mickey out of their parents? Are they going to take it seriously?

"But it matters to them more than anything. I was very proud - the kids were extremely fair, magnanimous, kind, thoughtful, and some were quite outspoken."

Davina admitted that she didn't want to get too involved in the contestants' relationships and particularly likes the fact that nobody will be getting 'evicted' from the show during their search for love. She added: "I wanted to be in there all the time giving them advice but actually, you've got to let it play out.

"The more you get involved, it's a mistake. What do I know? I don't know these people. What's lovely is that they come and go from the house - there are no evictions.

"If they don't think they're going to find love, they decide it's time to leave. I think when you've exhausted everybody in the house and you don't fancy anymore, it's a hard place to be."

Davina continued: "I hope it's something kids can watch with their families and you can all have a bit of a laugh and a cry together. In your 40s and 50s, when you've got children, life is complicated - but midlifers deserve to love and spend the rest of their lives with somebody."

My Mum, Your Dad starts at 9pm on Monday 11th September on ITV/STV.

Now read:

Everything you need to know about TV presenting royalty Davina McCall

All you need to know about ITV's new dating show My Mum, Your Dad

Cast revealed for new dating show My Mum, Your Dad

How to listen to MFR:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into MFR on FM and DAB across the North of Scotland, online, on our app, or say ‘Play MFR’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.