Maura Higgins accessorises with a £6,000 Chanel tennis racket bag as she attends the US Open in first sighting since landing her biggest TV job to date

Maura Higgins accessorised with a £6,000 Chanel tennis racket bag as she attended the US Open in New York on Monday - in her first sighting since landing her biggest TV job to date.

The former Love Island star, 35, has been confirmed as the host of the hotly anticipated Blind Date reboot as she prepares to step into the late Cilla Black's shoes for the show's return to screens next year.

The Irish TV personality is set to continue her US takeover by appearing as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars this autumn, before filming the Blind Date reboot in a secret location later this year.  

So a visit to the US Open seemed a fitting outing for Maura this week who wowed in a skimpy light grey co-ord, also by Chanel, as she posed at the event.

She toted the pricey Chanel white quilted Monte-Carlo cross-body tennis bag as she stuck perfectly to the fashion theme.

The brunette beauty boosted her height with black strappy heels, added a white headband to her look and wore matching white-rimmed sunglasses. 

Maura flew into New York from LA - where she has been training for Dancing With The Stars - to attend the US Open with IHG Hotels & Resorts which is the official hotel and hotel loyalty programme of the US Open.

Maura's impressive career has reached new heights this year after being signed for the Blind Date role. 

After attempting to find romance on ITV dating show Love Island in 2019, Maura went on to bag a hosting job on Love Island US: Aftersun and also starred on The Traitors US.

Angela Jain, head of content at Disney+ EMEA, said in a statement this week about her Blind Date job: '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.'

Much of the format for the show will stay the same, only this time with 'innovative format twists and a spicy dose of drama' for contemporary audiences.

As with the original format, 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. 

Maura has seen her profile soar both in the UK and across the pond. 

After hosting the Love Island Games and Love Island US: Aftersun last year, she gained an even bigger traction when she made it to the final of The Traitors US. 

So it is little wonder bosses have been eyeing her up for the big TV role, with a source stating back in June: 'Discussions are at an advanced stage, with the show's producers convinced Maura's the perfect choice for the job.

They added to The Sun: 'Not only did she shoot to fame on a TV dating contest, she is now an internationally famous face which is what a global service like Disney need for one of their shows.

'Maura also has an unquestionable glamour combined with cheeky charm which has echoes of Blind Date's most famous host.' 

Cilla Black hosted Blind Date from its debut in 1985 until the show was axed in 2003 after failing to hit the heights of its 18 million viewers-a-show heyday.

The show was later revived in 2017 on Channel 5 with the late Paul O'Grady as the host, but the reboot only lasted two years.

The premise of Blind Date saw singletons get to know a series of potential dates from behind a screen. 

Depending on their answers, they would get to choose who they'd most like to go on a date with - and then see each other for the first time on the show. 

Last June it was revealed the show would be making a sensational comeback with Claudia Winkleman, Holly Willoughby and Davina McCall all rumoured as hosts.

However, the rebooted show has now found its new host in Maura.

Maura of course has experience of dating shows, having shot to fame on Love Island back in 2019 where she reached the final alongside her ex Curtis Pritchard. 

In addition to her successful modelling career, Maura has gone on to make several TV appearances as both a presenter and contestant, including Dancing On Ice, Glow Up Ireland, Supermarket Sweep, National Television Awards and Loose Women.