MOVE over Love Island, a new dating show is in the works aimed at people who use sign language.
The niche idea follows successful TV series that have helped young people, single parents, grannies, virgins, nudists and even farmers to find love.
A new dating show for people who use sign language is in the works – pictured inspiration Tasha Ghouri, who had a cochlear implant fitted at five years old[/caption]
You cannot help but wonder if two high-profile Strictly Come Dancing contestants inspired the show.
Former EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis was the first deaf contestant to appear on the BBC One dance contest in 2021.
While Islander Tasha Ghouri, who had a cochlear implant fitted at five years old, made it through to the final on Sunday.
Both stars have raised awareness of what life is like for deaf people with their successful telly stints.
TV execs are now on the hunt for singletons who are deaf, British Sign Language users and CODAs (children of deaf adults) — aged 25 to 35 years old for the new dating show.
An insider said: “The creators have just put out a casting call for people in their twenties and thirties, who might like to take part.
“Though it’s not clear which channel it will air on, ITV and Channel 4 are the most likely recipients because they like to explore new territory with their shows.
“As for the dating show genre, producers are always looking for new ways to look at what attracts people to one another.”
The new casting call comes from production company Gold Wala, which has made multiple programmes aimed at younger people for BBC Three, MTV and E4.
The advert says: “Casting is now live for a super-exciting, brand new British Sign Language dating show for a major new channel.
“We are looking for all deaf, BSL users and CODAs who are aged 25 to 35 years old, are single and up for taking part in what will be an incredibly fun, exciting opportunity.”
But Gold Wala also makes clear it is flexible on the age range, adding: “The casting process will depend on the age group we hear from most.”
Festive time at The Four Stars
THE Four Seasons Hotel London will feature in a Channel 5 Christmas Eve special as it prepares for the festive season.
The inner workings of the posh Park Lane pad will also be laid bare in a four-part documentary in 2025.
Both are being made by Plum Pictures.
Danny’s going loco
DANNY DYER now gets his thrills from building model trains – like fellow celebrities Sir Rod Stewart, James May and Pete Waterman.
The ex EastEnders star says: “It keeps my mind less busy. As I’ve got older this is the kind of s*** I like to do.”
Danny Dyer says he now gets his thrills from building model trains[/caption]
He reckons his hobby might “surprise” people and jar with his TV persona – “a hardman who loves a cocaine binge and head-butting people.”
His trains take pride of place in his man cave with his other mini-builds.
But not all stay there, he revealed on the Live And Let Dyers podcast.
The Lego Hogwarts he built during lockdown was “too big”.
He added: “I smashed it up, put it in a big box of Lego then elbowed that.”
His other Lego models must be bricking it.
Feeling Bluey
THREE British TV stars feature for the first time on Disney+ series Bluey.
Comics and Parenting Hell podcast hosts Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe, alongside The Last Leg co-host Alex Brooker, are in Butlers, one of six new episodes on the streamer.
