ICONIC dating series Take Me Out is set to return to screens nearly seven years after its axe from ITV.
But host Paddy McGuinness will not be back for the reboot — with bosses instead looking for a “glamorous female” like Olivia Attwood or Emily Atack to bring in new audiences.
A source said: “Take Me Out was absolutely huge in the 2010s and was a stalwart of the primetime light entertainment schedule.
“Execs at Fremantle, the production company behind the reboot, want to ensure it has the same cheeky tone as the original.
“That’s what set it apart from more serious dating formats which rely on beef and drama — and made it such a fun watch.
“Emily and Olivia’s quick wit and timing make them favourites and Maya Jama was also considered perfect, but her links to Love Island make that tricky.
“Plans are in development now and talks are underway with streamers including Netflix but the landscape of TV is ever-changing, so the reboot could take a number of forms.”
Model Leomie Anderson is said to also be in play as a potential host alongside fellow telly presenters Olivia, 35, and Emily, 36.
Take Me Out originally ran under Paddy from 2010 to late 2019, spanning 11 series. A lone bachelor faced a panel of 30 single women and the girls were in control — if they didn’t fancy the fella, they could turn off a light in their pod.
If any women were still in play at the end, the man could take his pick and head off on a date on the “Isle of Fernando’s”, with Tenerife filling in for the made-up location.
Alongside all the drama, viewers lapped up Paddy’s catchphrases accompanying each man descending onto the stage in the “love lift”.
Favourites included “let the apple see the pie”, “let the hottie see the biscotti”, and “let the sausage see the roll.”
The show was so popular it spawned three celebrity specials, a one-off for over-50s, and even an episode just for emergency services workers.
The source added: “The fact Take Me Out had the females in control and it was delivered with such a gentle, comedic touch makes it a very future-friendly format — little would need to be changed.”
