Davina McCall says her new dating show The Language Of Love trumps Love Island
NEW dating show The Language Of Love may sound a lot like Love Island – but host Davina McCall reckons it’s quite a different beast.
OK, so it does have the familiar line-up of perfectly toned specimens looking to hook up with each other in a sunshine retreat.
But unlike ITV2’s Love Island, this Channel 4 show, set in Spain, has no cash prize — as all the contestants are genuinely there to discover The One.
Also, it features two sets of people, British and Spanish, who must overcome the language barrier to find love — and Davina reckons this makes for a bundle of laughs.
She said: “There were a few really massive eruptions of lust — real love-at-first-sight stuff, where somebody would walk through the door and they were like, ‘Wow!’
“But this show is different from so many other dating shows.
“Firstly, the contestants are different from the usual types of contestants you would find on a dating show.
“They are all invested in finding love and not fame and success.
“The other thing is, because of the cultural differences, it’s so flipping funny.”
But Davina reckons she is relatively unfazed by the lingo challenge — thanks to having put in many an hour watching a certain children’s TV show with her kids when they were little ones. She said: “I realised that Dora The Explorer has taught me a lot.
“‘Feliz cumpleaños’ means ‘happy birthday’. I learned that from Dora.
“‘Mi abuela’ means ‘my grandmother’. I learned that from Dora, too.
“So there are bits and bobs that I picked up from Dora that really helped me in this show.”
I’m not sure being able to wish your gran happy birthday in Spanish would help find love, though, Davina.
- The Language Of Love is on Channel 4 at 10pm on January 4.
Mel sees stars of future
AFTER hitting the heights with the SPICE GIRLS, if anyone knows the music industry it’s MELANIE C.
So it makes perfect sense that she will be coaching stars of the future on The Voice Kids.
But she has a warning for her young charges.
Melanie said: “Something that has upset me for a long time is young artists not being taken care of.
“I have never felt there has been enough support from labels and management.
“There are people out there who want to make money. You are a commodity.”
Melanie joins PIXIE LOTT, WILL.I.AM and DANNY JONES as coaches on the ITV talent show.
She added: “I think it’s the most positive, most productive show – the whole ethos of it being not judging books by the cover but listening to the talent. When you turn around it’s a ‘Brucie bonus’ to see the talent.”
You can catch Mel and co. tonight at 7.30pm on ITV.
Back with a bonk
MORE than 80million households tuned into Netflix bonkbuster Bridgerton – and it is almost time to clutch your pearls once more.
Here is a first glimpse of the second season, which will air from March 25, and the action is set to be raunchier than ever.
It will focus on randy Lord Anthony, who is played by JONATHAN BAILEY, as he sets out to find a suitable wife. But fans of the show already know his main passion is pursuing pleasure, not matrimony. Our sneak peek shows him sparring with new arrival Kate (SIMONE ASHLEY) over his interest in her sister Edwina (CHARITHRA CHANDRAN).
Netflix announced the new series with a set of social media clips where the cast learn the air date is looming thanks to Lady Bridgerton’s gossiping.
But fans will be disappointed to learn breakout stars REGE-JEAN PAGE and PHOEBE DYNEVOR hardly feature. Let’s hope the show still sizzles without them.
Olivia big fat Greek guilt trip
OLIVIA COLMAN can do no wrong – but she’s not so sure.
This Christmas she stars in new film The Lost Daughter as a mum whose holiday turns into a nightmare when she is confronted by her dark past.
It was shot in autumn 2020 on the Greek isle of Spetses – and Olivia says being abroad in the pandemic felt “naughty”.
She said: “We were lucky – we were filming during a torrid time for many but were in a beautiful place and our own bubble.
“We’d swim in the sea after shooting. It felt a bit like being on holiday, which feels a bit naughty.”
The film, which co-stars Normal People hunk PAUL MESCAL and Fifty Shades’ DAKOTA JOHNSON, is MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL’s directorial debut. Now in cinemas, it lands on Netflix on New Year’s Eve.
Wales of a time
THIS year’s I’m A Celebrity campmates had to brave torrential rain and gales during their time in Gwrych Castle.
But Adam Woodyatt can’t get enough of North Wales – and will go back on holiday.
The EastEnders legend recorded a video message for a fan called Geore, on Memmo.me, and said: “I hear you’ve got a caravan right by the castle where I’ve been staying.
“Do you know what? I’m actually going to be coming back up there at some point because I thought it was beautiful up there – really, really enjoyed it.”
The delighted fan replied: “You are welcome to visit us at Golden Sands holiday park.”
Sounds delightful.