Why were Matt and Emma Willis apprehensive about fronting Season 2 of Love is Blind UK?

Popular presenting duo Matt and Emma Willis have revealed their significant concerns about returning to host the second season of Love is Blind UK. The Netflix dating show where people fall in love without ever seeing each other came back last week with season two, and the hosts were honestly nervous about it. The first season went much above anyone's expectations, so they felt compelled to repeat it.

Emma even mentioned they were really terrified to go back into the role, kind of like how musicians panic when their second record is not as wonderful as the first. The whole pod setup is the same; contestants talk through walls and try to build real connections before meeting in person.

Season two was taped last year, and Emma found it especially challenging because it was her first big TV work following undergoing heart surgery. So, while everyone else was worried about whether the show would be a success, she was combining that with recovering from a serious health crisis.

What were the issues Emma and Matt were considering before signing on for Love is Blind UK Season 2?

The massive success of Love is Blind UK's debut season created unexpected pressure for Matt and Emma Willis. The first series exceeded expectations and became a cultural phenomenon that dominated social media discussions.

"Season one was such a hit, and everybody loved it, and it kind of had a little bit of everything," Emma explained during their radio interview.

The widespread positive reception of Love is Blind raised the stakes considerably for the second installment. Matt frequently referenced the challenge using a music industry analogy.

"It's like that difficult second album," he told his wife, highlighting how sequels often struggle to match original successes.

The presenting pair questioned whether they could deliver something equally compelling. Their concerns centered on whether audiences would embrace a different approach to the familiar format.

Emma acknowledged that season two offered a distinct viewing experience compared to its predecessor. She described the new installment as having a different energy and pacing.

"It's just different. Like this one's, I think, a slightly slower burn," she observed.

The second season's pods featured calmer interactions between contestants during the initial stages. However, Emma hinted that the tranquil beginning eventually gives way to more dramatic developments.

"The pods, I think, in comparison to last year, are much calmer. But then it all starts to go," she revealed.

This evolution suggested that while the approach differed, the emotional intensity viewers expect from the format would still emerge as relationships developed.

Emma was recovering from a serious health scare, having undergone keyhole surgery to repair a hole in her heart, just before filming began. She said it was nice to take some time to mend and focus on herself, but after she returned, she went right back to work. Even though the timing made things even more hectic, returning to hosting felt like a significant accomplishment.

Season two began filming immediately following the season one reunion, so she hardly had time to collect her breath. Emma acknowledged it was difficult since the original batch of candidates was still fresh in her mind, and she was concerned about whether the current bunch could live up to the drama. Meanwhile, Matt explained how attached they both get to the process, almost like they’re living it alongside the cast.

The possibility of a celebrity spin-off

Even though every reality show seems to be getting a celebrity makeover these days, Emma shut down the idea of a famous-people edition of Love is Blind UK. She said it would ruin the whole point of Love is Blind because everyone would just spend their time guessing who’s behind the wall instead of, you know, falling in love.

To prove her point, she gave silly examples, like if Rylan or Alan Carr joined, nobody would focus on romance because their voices are way too easy to recognize. For her, the magic of Love is Blind only works when the pods are filled with total strangers.

Love Is Blind UK is now streaming on Netflix.

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Edited by Sroban Ghosh