Blind

AN emotional Michael Owen has revealed his son’s eye condition has left him so blind he has to ‘cut his food for him’.

The former England footballer has four children with his wife Louise, including son James, 20.

James was diagnosed with Stargardt disease – a degeneration of his retina, and in 2019, Michael revealed his son was “clinically blind”.

During an appearance on the Great Company podcast this week, Michael, 46, opened up to Jamie Laing about James and his condition.

He said: “I look at it and think, do you know what, every time we sit at a restaurant, he’s by my side.

“Because I read him the menu and I need to cut his food, because he can’t.

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“Whenever we’re watching racing, he’s by my side because I’m giving a commentary.

“Whenever he wants to go…he needs his dad to take him. I’m his taxi driver.”

Michael continued: “I get to spend three times more time with my lad because he’s got an eye condition.

“Now I might be a selfish b*****d but I think that is…I love it and I wouldn’t want it any different.

“And of course I’d give my eyes to him in an instant, if we could swap, of course I would. But let’s take the positive, he is so bright, he just doesn’t sit back and pity himself.

“In fact it’s quite the opposite, he gets out there and he laughs at himself.”

While Michael is clearly proud of James and his other children, daughters Gemma, Jessica and Emily, he also admitted on the podcast that he doesn’t tell them he loves them.

He said: “I never ever tell my kids I love them. I don’t say anything like that.

“I just assume my actions would show them that I love them. It’s a bad thing. I think most of us are like that.”

Love Is Blind UK star Ryan has faced viewer criticism since the Netflix show aired, and he has now addressed speculation about his reasons for joining and whether he wanted to ‘boost his profile’

Everyone’s currently talking about about the latest series of Love Is Blind following its Netflix debut on August 19. Presented by celebrity duo Matt and Emma Willis, the social experiment sees British singletons dating in “pods” before getting engaged without ever laying eyes on one another.

While series 3 has now concluded its main instalments, fans can still look forward to the reunion episode, which drops on the streaming service today (August 30). From the 30 singletons who stepped into the pods, we followed six couples who emerged engaged. However, two of these pairs called it quits during the cohabitation stage.

These were Jordan and Yasmin, along with Ryan and Cuba.

The latter duo encountered difficulties after settling into a London flat together, as Ryan’s regular absences owing to work commitments and a family bereavement led to the relationship breaking down.

Cuba sensed his heart wasn’t entirely committed, and Ryan confessed his body was “resisting” the commitment. They formally ended things during episode 9, roughly a week ahead of their scheduled nuptials.

Ryan, 33, has encountered substantial online criticism since the episodes went live. Audiences have strongly condemned how the public speaker behaved towards Cuba after exiting the pods, particularly when he promptly flew off for work and subsequently claimed he required “independent alone time” to unwind away from her.

The criticism reached its height following their split scene in episode 9. After informing Cuba his “body was resisting” the commitment, Ryan bizarrely asked Cuba if she fancied any mango (she declined) before the cameras switched to Ryan aggressively and wordlessly devouring the mango.

Viewers deemed the moment peculiar and detached, sparking viral memes. Ryan has subsequently shared a TikTok (while consuming another mango) justifying his behaviour, clarifying that an entire day’s worth of intense discussions was compressed by producers into “a short, sharp focus on fruit.”

In a separate video, Ryan has now revealed why he genuinely participated in the programme, following questions about how genuine his motivations were.

Posting a reel on his Instagram account, he informed his 15,000 followers that people continuously questioned him ‘why he bothered to apply’ for the programme.

He clarified that he didn’t apply, and was instead contacted by producers, which he maintained ‘was the same for most of the guys’.

Ryan stated: “When I initially had the call, I didn’t know what Love Is Blind was, I’d never heard of it before.”

Following a producer’s explanation of the concept to him, he considered it sounded “crazy” and acknowledges he still believes it is, though he notes it ‘clearly has a track record of working’ in certain instances.

He mentioned that as he progressed through the experience, he was “very vocal about his apprehensions”, yet his “curiosity was peaking”. Ryan also revealed that when weighing up whether to appear on the show, he found himself reflecting on the role of appearance in today’s world.

“Yes, they’re important,” well to me they are anyway and I think to most people,” he said in the clip.

“We live in a very image-focused world, where most people put most of their pride and joy in how they physically appear, instead of what’s inside.”

With that in mind, he said he ‘genuinely thinks the experiment is a really interesting concept to see if you can connect and communicate with someone deeply without ever seeing him. ‘.

“That’s what really got me in,” he admitted.

Ryan described himself as “open” to getting married, because he was single. “I was so scared, but open to it,” he said.

The public speaker also hit back at suggestions he had simply signed up to the show to “boost his profile”. He retorted: “I think that most people know that when you go on a reality show, you are seen and there’s massive drawbacks and some benefits to that.

“I don’t need or want some plastic clothing contract off the back off this, that’s not what I’m about.”

Which Love Island Blind UK series 3 couples got married?

In the finale of Love Is Blind UK season 3, a record-breaking four couples successfully walked down the aisle and got married. These were Sophie and Taylor, Ciara and Ajay, Faye and Jack and Francesca and Joseph.

Nearly everyone in the pods got engaged during Season 3 of Love Is Blind: UK. Out of the 30 singles who entered the experiment, a staggering 14 couples got engaged.

This shattered a global record for the entire Netflix franchise. Because there were far too many engagements for the production team to physically follow, they had to make difficult editorial choices. As a result, viewers only saw six couples on screen.

The Love Is Blind UK Season 3 Reunion will air on Sunday, August 30 2026 on Netflix

Sammy and Jonathan were one of a number of couples whose romantic journeys were never shown on the Netflix show

Love Is Blind UK’s third season saw a record number of engagements – but only a handful were shown.

The Netflix reality dating show sees 30 singles sent on a string of blind dates in the show’s pods which are designed to prevent the contestants from ever seeing each other. The only way they can meet a potential partner face to face is if they accept a marriage proposal from them.

An unprecedented number of contestants became engaged during the latest season – 14 to be precise – though just six of those love stories were shown to viewers at home.

The show’s executive producer, Nazleen Karim, previously addressed why they cut some couples on the programme but kept following others. She explained: “When there are more engagements than we can physically follow, we have to make difficult editorial choices. We’re looking for a range of different relationship journeys and stories that together capture the full experience of the experiment.

“Not being selected isn’t a reflection of the strength of a relationship – many couples continue exploring their connection once they leave the pods.”

Now, one couple who were cut from the show revealed what happened to them afterwards, and the remarkable journey they have been on since.

Tech recruiter Jonathan, 32, and wellbeing coach and entrepreneur Sammy, 31, found a connection in the pods and became engaged, but their dates, nor that all-important proposal, were ever shown.

In a tell-all Instagram post, Sammy recounted that she asked a producer to give Jonathan her number after they were told they would not be continuing on the programme, and the pair continued to date in the real world.

Since leaving the show in August last year, they have jetted off on holiday together, met each other’s families, got a dog together named Poddy in homage to the show, and remain engaged to this day. Sammy also revealed the devastating news that the pair had suffered a silent miscarriage in June.

“We lost our baby to a silent miscarriage and honestly, we really struggled,” she shared. “Grieving whilst still living on opposite sides of the country was one of the hardest things we’ve had to face together.”

While she admitted the pair were still navigating the loss, Sammy revealed their love story still endured. She added: “We didn’t get picked to continue on Love Is Blind. At the time, that felt like the end of our story. Turns out, it was the beginning of the best bit.

“No cameras. No experiment. No guarantees. We just kept choosing each other, and now you’re finally in on the secret.”

Love Is Blind UK series three is now streaming on Netflix. A reunion special will air tomorrow night (August 30) at 9pm.

The British game show was first hosted by the legendary Cilla Black before Paul O’Grady took over

The reboot of eighties game show Blind Date has finally found its host.

Originally hosted by the late Cilla Black, the show saw total strangers getting to know each other on stage with a barrier between them. The format saw three aspiring daters quizzed by a single contestant of the opposite sex with a live audience watching on.

Over the course of the episode each contestant would reveal more about themselves and eventually one of the three would be chosen to go on a date. Only then would the newly-matched pair be revealed to each other face-to-face.

The show sparked some iconic moments which still go viral today, including no-nonsense host Cilla’s brutal takedown of a Cosmopolitan journalist who had gone undercover on the show for an article.

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“I feel awfully, deeply saddened by this,” Cilla began while the cameras were still rolling. “But you don’t work as a temporary secretary, I know for a fact that actually you’re an undercover journalist and you’ve robbed somebody of coming on a proper blind date,” prompting boos from the live audience.

Cilla hosted the original series from 1985 until 2003, with Paul O’Grady cast as host when it was once against revived in 2017. Now, Disney Plus are rebooting it again and this time Love Island, I’m A Celebrity and Traitors US star Maura Higgins will be at the helm.

Irish TV personality Maura shot to fame on the fifth series of ITV2 reality show Love Island back in 2019. She shared the iconic villa with the likes of Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury – who went on to marry – as well as the season’s eventual winners, Amber Gill and Greg O’Shea.

Announcing the news today (August 26), Angela Jain, Head of Content, Disney+ EMEA, commented: “Maura is the perfect match for our version of ‘Blind Date’. Her distinctive straight-talking humour, coupled with her experience as a reality dating show contestant, means we know she has the gravitas plus the wit to bring ‘Blind Date’ to new audiences. We’re very much looking forward to Maura helping our daters navigate their own journeys to find love as she steps into the famed ‘Blind Date’ host role.”

Meanwhile, speaking at Edinburgh TV Festival, Sean Doyle, Vice President of Unscripted Originals at Disney+ also confirmed: “We have Maura Higgins hosting Blind Date which is great.”

He continued: “I was concerned that we had such a great track record of hit shows and dating shows is such a crowded market.

“I thought it was risky launching a brand new dating show and I think bringing Blind Date to Disney+ is head turning and will feel completely different to the original format.”

Disney Plus announced it was rebooting the hit game show back in 2025. At the time they teased that it would “bigger, better and bolder than ever.”

Its synopsis continued: “The new series will begin in a secret Blind Date location, where contestants must choose between three potential suitors, hidden from view behind the legendary Blind Date wall, the only thing standing between them and their potential true love just metres away.

‘With a host of unique, innovative and head-turning format twists, our daters will see if forever love can truly grow as they spend the summer living together but potential new partners are always lurking behind the wall…”

A release date for Blind Date is yet to be announced.

Love Is Blind UK is back on Netflix with eight fresh episodes for fans to binge watch

Love Is Blind UK star Jack Bradshaw has spoken out about disappearing from the show without warning his fiancée.

The hit Netflix experiment is back for its third season with a fresh batch of singles hoping to find love in the famous pods. As always, the contestants go on a string dates without ever laying eyes on each other.

Once they are ready to commit to one person, they leave the pods and get engaged. From there comes a series of relationship milestones including moving in together and meeting each other’s families.

Chef Jack, 30, proposed to Faye Domaille after sparking a strong connection in the pods. But the couple hit an unexpected hurdle when Jack “vanished” from their shared apartment the morning after Faye’s 29th birthday party.

Faye soon realised that Jack’s phone location had been turned off, leaving her concerned about his whereabouts. “He’s literally vanished,” Faye said.

Jack has now explained his actions, admitting he went on a walk because he was “panicking” about formally meeting Faye’s parents later that day.

He told Tudum: “I started panicking and stressing about meeting Faye’s parents properly and being back on camera again. It felt like the walls were closing in on me. I needed to get out, disconnect, and just have some time by myself. “

The Cornwall-based star was also overwhelmed by living in the heart of Canary Wharf and needed a moment to breathe, so he turned his phone off and headed out.

“In Canary Wharf, I’m in this glass box, 43 stories up in the air,” he said.

“Can’t relax there. Go out to get fresh air and there are skyscrapers everywhere. There are cars, police cars, people. I’m walking along just stressing myself out.”

Although it felt like the right move at the time, Jack claims he felt “overwhelming guilt” when he finally turned his phone on and saw a several messages from his partner.

He said: “Faye is worried sick, and I get this overwhelming feeling of guilt about how I let her down. I wasn’t used to having somebody there who cares that much about me.”

Jack confessed: “Just seeing how one selfish decision in your mind can affect somebody…. And that’s the only way I can describe it. It was selfish. I was looking after number one.”

The first eight episodes of Love Is Blind season three are now streaming on Netflix, with the final three instalments set to air next Wednesday, August 26.

Love Is Blind: UK Season 3 is streaming on Netflix

Eight episodes of season three are currently available to stream in full on Netflix now

A Love Is Blind UK star has hit out at her Netflix edit claiming she has been “portrayed as someone I’m not.”

The first eight episodes of season 3 have already been released giving fans plenty to binge watch this week.

After an unprecedented 14 engagements this time around, viewers follow just six of the couples as they jet off on holiday before moving in with one another to plan their wedding days.

For some, the process has been smooth sailing, but for others, they have struggled to spark up a connection. But as always, as well as budding romances, there has also been plenty of drama and love triangles for viewers to enjoy.

But one star has hit out at the Netflix edit, taking to her social media pages to speak directly to fans. Chevanique found herself in a triangle on the show as she had explored a connection with Joseph, who also had a strong connection with Francesca.

Ultimately, Joseph chose Francesca, but the three reunited later in the series and Chevanique wanted answers. The 29-year-old sexual health nurse from Birmingham was seen advocating for herself and why she should be chosen, before things turned heated when the three reunited.

Now, Chevanique has taken to social media to address how she came across. She said in a video: “Hi everyone, I don’t think I’ve ever spoken on my TikTok before so this is new for me, but I just wanted to come on here and address the elephant in the room and say hello.

“Yes, I was on Love Is Blind season three and it was a crazy journey, what can I say? It’s just crazy. Over the last few days things have definitely been a bit mad but I just wanted to come on here quickly to say thank you to everyone for all the love and support I’ve been receiving, all the positive messages and comments, you guys are diamonds.

“I thank you so much because you’ve made this transition so much easier for me.”

However, she went on to say: “I know your girl isn’t getting the best edit, damn. J***s, they’re making me out to be someone I’m not. But it’s okay like it’s all for entertainment purposes.”

The support has poured in for the star online as one person said in their own video: “Can we please give Chevanique her flowers?” as another commented: “This!! When I went to her page, I can’t believe the mean comments on her post. He was so unsure and she shot her shot. And then handled it so respectfully. She has beautiful confidence.”

Another replied: “Agree but also they edit to show certain bits to get the views in. We probably miss out a lot of what happen.”

Chevanique herself replied adding: “You’re a diamond thank you for not judging me and seeing it from a different perspective.”

Love Is Blind UK can be streamed on Netflix

Eight episodes are currently available to stream on Netflix

Love Is Blind UK bosses have opened up on a history-making moment that viewers never see on the show.

The third instalment of the hit Netflix show has returned to screens this week with the first eight episodes released in one go yesterday (August 19).

Hopeful singles have once again headed to the Love Is Blind dating pods hoping to find ‘the one’ where they will date potential partners. They will only meet face to face for the first time if a couple decides to take their relationship to the next step and become engaged.

The series has proved a hit with Netflix viewers, but there is a wait on their hands before the next batch of episodes will be released (August 26).

As the new release hits screens, executive producer Nazleen Karim and series editor David Cheesman spoke about one thing that viewers did not see and it is an incredible milestone which has made history.

This time around, there was an unprecedented number of engagements as 14 pairs took their relationships to the next step. However, the show only showed six couples’ journey, meaning there was so much more that viewers didn’t get to see play out on screen.

Nazleen said: “When there are more engagements than we can physically follow, we have to make difficult editorial choices. We’re looking for a range of different relationship journeys and stories that together capture the full experience of the experiment.

“Not being selected isn’t a reflection of the strength of a relationship – many couples continue exploring their connection once they leave the Pods.”

David added: “It’s never an easy decision and we wouldn’t want to diminish the love those other couples have formed. We’ve never had as many as 14 engagements which is why we ended up following six couples this time as opposed to five.”

With a combination of “natural drama and love, sexiness, chemistry and humour”, the series is potentially the strongest so far as David confirmed: “Every season brings something different, but this one has some of the most surprising twists, emotional moments and unforgettable characters we’ve seen.”

Hosts Matt and Emma Willis also touched on the monumental engagements as Matt said: “There are clearly a lot of thirsty people in the UK! I think we both got a strong sense that people really were there to get married.

“They weren’t just going in to see what this was all about – they wanted to find a husband or wife. Maybe the RAYE song ‘Where Is My Husband!’ was the inspiration.”

Although the new episodes follow six potential pairs, viewers will need to tune in to see who makes it to the altar, and who, if anyone, continues their marriage in the outside world.

Love Is Blind UK can be streamed in the UK.

A brand new season of Love Is Blind UK has finally returned to Netflix

A Love Is Blind UK star looks completely different in an unearthed throwback snap.

Love Is Blind UK has returned for its third instalment, with a fresh group of singles taking to the pods in the hopes of finding their perfect match. As ever, they will go on blind dates, narrowing down their potential love interests along the way.

They will only meet face to face for the first time if they decide to take their relationship to the next step and become engaged. Then, will they move in together and plan their wedding day, but for some, the process is not without its difficulties.

A synopsis reads: “Love is Blind: UK returns to Netflix for a third series which promises high drama, raw emotion and plenty of romance.

“The latest group of hopeful singles, each one searching for their Mr. or Mrs. Right, will step into the iconic Pods for a string of blind dates. From behind a wall, they are all hoping to form a connection so deep that they’re willing to put their hearts on the line by agreeing to marry without ever having seen each other.”

Now, eight episodes have been released on Netflix, with viewers having to wait until next week to find out who gets married, or who, if anyone has been left at the altar.

But as fans binge watch the brand new release, there is one star that appears to be unrecognisable in unearthed throwback pics.

Pilates Instructor Ciara Murphy, from London, is looking for someone who values her for “more than just her looks”. The now 30-year-old is a fan of the finer things in life and has been single for a year, having been cheated on in every relationship in the past.

Now, the star is looking for her forever love, hoping the pods will help her find the one. Exploring her connections, Ciara admitted on the show that she did in fact used to be a brunette, as she showed off her now-blonde locks.

Over on Ciara’s Instagram page, which she regularly posts selfies from her adventures, the star is known for her bright blonde hair, in recent snaps, but throwback pics confirm her natural colour.

In one post, from 2023, she can be seen smiling at the camera, with Christmas decorations in the background, captioning her post: “merry christmas.”

Whether Ciara finds love on the show though, fans will need to tune in to find out.

Love Is Blind UK can be streamed on Netflix.