Love's CASTAWAYS

DAVINA MCCALL on her new dating show in which singletons are abandoned on a tropical isle

- VICTORIA WILSON

The idea of being marooned on a faraway island, away from family, friends and home comforts, would strike fear in most of us, but what about being stuck there with a partner you've only just met? That's the premise of BBC1's new dating reality series Stranded on Honeymoon Island and, despite what many of us might think, its host Davina McCall believes a secluded paradise is the perfect environment for a blossoming romance.

'Being stranded somewhere is like the greatest test of any relationship ever,' says the popular presenter as she sits down for an exclusive chat with TV Times at the show's launch in London.

"This is a social experiment that follows people meeting in tough conditions and sees if love can flourish.' The 12-part series follows 12 unluckyin-love singletons who attend a speeddate event with a difference. After being paired off by matchmakers, they pledge their commitment and are then sent on their 'honeymoon' to a remote island in the Philippines. There, barely knowing each other, each couple must fend for themselves with few resources and no contact with the outside world.

As Davina, 57, reveals here, life's not a beach for all the couples...

What appealed to you about this show?

Everyone knows I love reality TV and I just loved this concept. These daters are a bit older to those on other dating shows they're frustrated with modern dating and this is a way of getting to know someone very well, very quickly!"

Tell us about some of the honeymooners...