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Melanie Sykes has been announced as the second presenter for the reboot of Cilla Black's famous dating show Blind Date. 

The Today With Des & Mel host, 46, will act as the voice over on the new Channel 5 edition of the series - which will be fronted by Paul O'Grady.

The brunette said of the exciting news: 'It's an honour to be joining such an iconic show and to be working alongside my dear friend Paul.'

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New addition: Melanie Sykes has been announced as the second presenter for the reboot of Cilla Black's famous dating show Blind Date

Joining forces: The Today With Des & Mel host, 46, will act as the voice over on the new Channel 5 edition of the series - which will be fronted by Paul O'Grady

While Paul hosts the show in front of the camera, Mel will narrate each episode as a voice over when it makes its return to television later this year.

The vocal role was made famous by Graham Skidmore on the original series - or 'Our Graham' as he was more affectionately referred to be Cilla and viewers. 

The Let's Do Lunch with Gino and Mel host will be helping contestants make their minds up, as well as supporting co-host Paul, 61, with the famous recap and reveal.

Busy bee: Despite the exciting announcement, Mel continued with her daily business on Tuesday as she embarked on another shoot in her fitness gear

Gushing of the new venture, she said in a statement on Tuesday: 'It's an honour to be joining such an iconic show and to be working alongside my dear friend Paul.' 

She added excitedly: 'I can't wait to help a new generation find love on the show.'

Meanwhile Channel 5's Commissioner Sean Doyle added of the appointment: 'Mel has the perfect mix of charm, cheek and warmth to work on this new version of Blind Date.' 

Paul had been announced as the host of the beloved reality show's revamp last month.   

Confirmed: Paul O'Grady (left) is set to take over a reboot of his late best friend Cilla Black's (here together in 2011) dating show Blind Date

Reality star Vicky Pattison, 29, had previously been the favourite for the job - but sources revealed at the time she could still have a role on the dating show.

In the first statement released to MailOnline confirming the new show, Paul said: 'Blind Date is an incredibly special family show which brought laughter, tears and joy to TV viewers throughout out the land.

'I am honoured to present the brand new series and after speaking to Channel 5, I know the series is in safe hands. I can't wait to see if we can find love.' 

Making a comeback: Cilla's Blind Date will make a comeback with a 'sexy and young' new image

The announcement comes after former Geordie Shore star Vicky had been widely touted for the hosting role, but sources suggest that she will still be involved in the reboot.

A source told the Sun: 'Vicky is so excited to be working on such an iconic show as Blind Date. She knows Paul is perfect to step into Cilla's shoes.

'To be considered to work alongside such a legend is a dream come true for her.'

Snubbed: Previously, Vicky Pattison was thought to be bringing a 'young and sexy' edge to the show, having previously been named as a favourite

Confirming that LGBT contestants will be welcomed for the first time, producers went on to say: 'The show will reflect the present day whilst maintaining the humour, charm and cheekiness of the original show.' 

According to the statement, Blind Date will be 'updated to reflect the present day' with the same 'humour, charm and cheekiness' of the original show in mind.

A source told MailOnline that more news on the Blind Date reboot is expected to follow in the next few weeks.

Aged 72, Cilla passed away two years ago, 12 years after the last episode of Blind Date, leaving her long-time friend Paul 'destroyed' by her sudden death.

She died of a traumatic head injury after an accidental fall at her home in Spain on August 1, 2015.

In October that year, Paul spoke of his dear friend, admitting that he sometimes forgot she was gone.

Old friends: Paul and Cilla met on chat show Parkinson in 1998

He told Loose Women 'We used to go clubbing, we'd go on holiday together, I spoke to her all the time, and even now I think, 'I must ring Cilla and tell her that'.'

Paul and Cilla met on chat show Parkinson in 1998 and said they immediately struck up an 'unbreakable' bond because of their scouse roots. 

'God I'm going miss her,' he told Liverpool ECHO in August 2015: 'She was a very loyal friend Cilla. She was more like a sister.

'I've lost my good mate. It's very sad. It just doesn't seem real. We used to get invited to dinner parties as the entertainment, of course we didn't mind.

'We were just being ourselves but people said we were like a double act. We had the same roots you see, that's how we connected. We were both from similar working class backgrounds.'

Freshening it up: Paul said he felt 'honoured' to be fronting the family show

Paul is a surprise host for the revamped show, as Vicky was originally thought to be bringing a 'young and sexy' spin to the show.

Hot on the heels of popular franchises First Dates and Take Me Out, the original dating reality show was first reported to be making a return, last month. 

A source told The Sun newspaper at the time: 'It's a classic format that will be rebooted to make it young, sexy and modern. Expect sparks to fly.'

Other names reportedly originally put forward for the hosting job included, Olly Murs, 32, Georgia May Foote, 25, and Helen Flanagan, 26. 

Blind Date ran for 18 years, airing its final 373rd episode in 2003 following the news that Cilla was stepping down as host.

Big return: Matchmaker Cilla was best-loved for her cupid set-ups

Matchmaker: Vicky had been put forward for the role of matchmaker, replacing Cilla Black

The format saw three hopefuls aiming to secure a date with their answers to the dater's three burning love questions.

It's a complete contrast to dating apps such as Tinder where looks and first impressions serve as the basis for whether you decide to meet someone. 

As the name suggests, Blind Daters are set behind a large screen and therefore never get to see their date unless they're picked. 

During its decade of dating, famous faces tried their hand at love including TV presenter Ortis Deley and, famously, a pre-fame Amanda Holden. 

Though it was unlike such recent shows as Celebs Go Dating, where dates are aware they're about to date a famous personality.

Pick your questions wisely: Daters can ask three burning questions, the answers of which will decide whether they bag a date

Famous daters: Amanda Holden was famously one of the contestants in the original series