Commercial broadcaster SBS is planning a new dating show for people whose faces have been severely disfigured – such as burn victims or people with no eyes, a spokesman confirmed on Monday. The disfigurement must be ‘very severe’, the spokesman said.

Set to launch on February 20, the first episode will give contestants the chance to tell their stories. Viewers who would like to get in contact with one of the ‘lonely hearts’ can then approach the show. Their response will determine what happens in subsequent episodes – as happened in other TV dating shows such as ratings success, Farmer seeks Wife.
The SBS spokesman denied that the broadcaster was making a freak show. ‘It’s being made with integrity,’ he told the Volkskrant. ‘These people have a lot of trouble finding a partner and we are going to help them. We are also boosting the acceptability of people with a facial disability.’
The working title of the show – ‘Monstrous Love’ – has since been changed to ‘Love at Second Sight’, the Volkskrant said.
Last May, public broadcaster Tros ran a beauty contest for women with a physical disability.