First Dates#cite note-2
{{Short description|British reality television programme}}
{{about|the British TV series|versions in other countries and other uses of the term "first date"|First date (disambiguation)}}
{{unreliable sources|date=September 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2015}}
{{Infobox television
| image = First Dates.jpg
| genre = Reality
| narrated = Dean Lennox Kelly
Ralf Little
Brian Protheroe
Daisy May
| music = Miguel d'Oliveira
| starring = Fred Sirieix
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| num_series = 9 (regular)
3 (hotel)
2 (teen)
| num_episodes = 183 (regular)
42 (hotel)
16 (teen)
| location = Paternoster Chop House, London (2013–2020){{Cite web|last=Nisbet|first=Megan|date=2021-01-19|title=First Dates restaurant Manchester: Where is the new series filmed?|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/first-dates-restaurant-manchester-new-19654068|access-date=2021-01-27|website=WalesOnline|language=en}}
The Refinery, Manchester (2021–2023)
The Botanist bar & restaurant, Bath, Somerset (2023–)
| runtime = 60 minutes (inc. adverts)
| company = Twenty Twenty
| channel = Channel 4
| first_aired = {{start date|df=y|2013|6|20}}
| last_aired = present
}}
First Dates is a British reality television programme that has aired on Channel 4 since 20 June 2013. The programme has been narrated by Brian Protheroe since 2015.
Production
The production was filmed at the Paternoster Chop House restaurant in Paternoster Square, central London from 2013 to 2020, showing many people on dates, none of whom have met each other before. At the end of the date, the couples are interviewed together and asked whether they would like to see each other again. The restaurant is closed to the public while filming takes place. The restaurant is fitted with 42 "Pan–tilt–zoom" cameras and there are at least 70 crew members on set during filming, which lasts 15 hours a day. Each diner is given £25 towards the cost of their meal.
The spin-off show, First Dates Hotel, follows the same TV format with contestants meeting for the first time in a hotel restaurant, but if the date goes well, the couples are offered the opportunity to check in for the night. The first series was filmed at Le Vieux Castillon in Castillon-du-Gard[2] offering idyllic settings with a variety of activities for the successful second daters, and added sommelier Xavier Chapelou to Fred Sirieix's team. The second series was filmed at Aquapetra Resort & Spa in Campania near Naples, Italy.{{Cite web|url=https://aquapetra.com/about-the-hotel/media/|title=Media}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a15171121/first-dates-hotel-location/|title=You can actually stay at the First Dates hotel!|date=16 January 2018}}
In 2020, it was announced that filming would move to Manchester. The specific location was later confirmed in January 2021, when it was announced that the ninth series would begin airing on 19 January 2021, in the new location of The Refinery, located in Spinningfields, in Manchester.{{Cite news|date=2021-01-19|title=First Dates: Channel 4 series will feel 'more like real life'|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55544208|access-date=2021-01-19}}
Another spin-off show, Teen First Dates, began airing on E4 on 22 February 2021 and consisted of 6 episodes. Each episode was also available to stream on All 4. Following the same format as the parent show and also taking place at Spinningfields, it follows 16-19 year olds as they begin dating for the first time. Series 2 began airing on 23 February 2022.
In July 2023, it was announced that filming would be relocated to The Botanist bar & restaurant in Bath, Somerset for the 10th anniversary of the show.{{Cite web |title=Channel 4's First Dates restaurant relocates for 10th Anniversary to find romance in Bath {{!}} Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4s-first-dates-restaurant-relocates-10th-anniversary-find-romance-bath |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=www.channel4.com}} Along with a new restaurant location, the tenth anniversary series will launch brand-new cast members as well as a format refresh.
In the summer of 2025, filming will start in the Mediterranean on another spin-off show, First Dates Beach Club.{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4-announces-new-sun-soaked-dating-series-first-dates-beach-club|title=Channel 4 Announces New Sun-Soaked Dating Series, First Dates Beach Club|website=channel4.com/press|accessdate=5 February 2025}}
Restaurant staff
Since series 3 (2015) the restaurant's maître d'hôtel Fred Sirieix offers pieces to camera on the nature of love, romance and dating.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/sep/16/from-blind-date-to-first-dates-how-tv-matchmaking-grew-up|title=From Blind Date to First Dates: how TV matchmaking grew up|first=Rebecca|last=Nicholson|newspaper=The Guardian|date=16 September 2015}} When not filming for First Dates, he was the general manager at restaurant Galvin at Windows, although he left in December 2019 after 14 years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Article/2019/12/09/Fred-Sirieix-leaves-Galvin-at-Windows|title=Fred Sirieix leaves Galvin at Windows|last=bighospitality.co.uk|website=bighospitality.co.uk|date=9 December 2019 |language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-21}}
The waiting staff and barman do not work in the restaurant full-time, but are recruited for when the series is being filmed. Surrey-born
- https://metro.co.uk/2018/04/04/first-dates-laura-tott-age-career-partner-long-cast-7439920/
- https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/first-dates-laura-tott-pregnant-how-old-husband/
- https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/18381630.coronavirus-first-dates-waitress-laura-tott-tests-positive/
- https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/first-dates-star-laura-tott-24703040
- https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/stoke-trent-paramedic-laura-tott-5228347
- https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/first-dates-star-laura-tott-19280328
- https://metro.co.uk/2018/04/27/tory-ministers-secretary-probed-by-mi5-for-selling-sex-to-sugar-daddies-7502401/
Laura Nicole Tott{{Cite web |date=2018-02-16 |title=Who are the First Dates' waiters and waitresses? Everything you need to know about Cici, Laura and Sam… |url=https://monimega.com/blog/2018/02/16/who-are-the-first-dates-waiters-and-waitresses-everything-you-need-to-know-about-cici-laura-and-sam/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=NUTesla {{!}} The Informant |language=it-IT}} left the show, in 2021,{{Cite web |last=Amin |first=Meghna |date=2023-08-30 |title=First Dates star Laura Tott gives birth and reveals sweet name |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/08/30/first-dates-laura-tott-baby-boy-19416596/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Metro |language=en}} to train as a Paramedic, get married and gave birth to their son in 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-23 |title=Fred Sirieix's First Dates co-stars Laura Tott and Cici Coleman open up about Dadgate and express their sadness over his argument with Nella Rose - Bintano |url=https://bintano.com/fred-sirieixs-first-dates-co-stars-laura-tott-and-cici-coleman-open-up-about-dadgate-and-express-their-sadness-over-his-argument-with-nella-rose/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |language=en-US}} She hasn't ruled out a return at some stage.{{Cite web |last=McLoughlin |first=Lisa |date=2023-08-30 |title=First Dates star welcomes first child and reveals sweet name |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/first-dates-laura-tott-welcomes-baby-boy-leo-b1103665.html |access-date=2023-12-01 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}} Oxford-born{{Cite web |title=CiCi Coleman |url=https://itcantjustbeme.co.uk/person/cici-coleman |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=It Can't Just Be Me with Anna Richardson - Podcast |language=en}} CiCi Coleman is an actor{{Cite web |last=Spence |first=Niamh |date=2023-08-14 |title=First Dates star Cici Coleman's life from Gethin Jones 'romance' to money woes |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/inside-first-dates-star-cici-30700347 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-01-19 |title=Inside the gorgeous home of First Dates waitress Cici Coleman |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/lifestyle/first-dates-cici-coleman-house-23346814 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=OK! Magazine |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-08-19 |title=Cici Coleman: A Versatile Star and Influencer Talks About Her Workout, Diet And Beauty Secrets |url=https://www.womenfitness.net/cici-coleman/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Women Fitness |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=O'Sullivan |first=Kyle |date=2021-03-24 |title=First Dates staff's actual jobs, off-screen relationships and which are actors |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/first-dates-staffs-actual-jobs-23789373 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=The Mirror |language=en}} who trained at New York Film Academy. The waiting staff are joined by Sam Conrad,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-02-03 |title=The loves lives and real jobs of the First Dates staff |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/channel-4-first-dates-loves-22977431 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Wales Online |language=en}} Austin Ventour, Jamie McCleave, Aoife Smyth,{{cite web | url=https://www.nationalworld.com/news/people/merlin-griffiths-first-dates-bartender-wife-cancer-4463165 | title=Merlin Griffiths opens up about 'consequences' of living with cancer on BBC Breakfast | date=2 January 2024 }} Grant Urquhart, David Marc and Daniella Kalita.{{Cite web|title=Meet the new First Dates staff for series 16|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/first-dates-staff-2021/|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Radio Times|language=en}}
London-born and Cheltenham-raised barman Merlin Griffiths was{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Anna |date=2020-11-30 |title=Merlin Griffiths: 'We are creative, resilient, adaptable – this is hospitality!' |url=https://smallbusiness.co.uk/merlin-griffiths-first-dates-podcast-2551704/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Small Business UK |language=en-US}} a pub landlord{{Cite news|url=https://www.cocktailsaturdays.com/interviews/2016/9/8/merlin-griffiths-the-priory-tavern|title=Merlin Griffiths, The Priory Tavern|newspaper=Cocktail Saturdays|access-date=2017-02-17|language=en-GB|archive-date=18 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218065452/https://www.cocktailsaturdays.com/interviews/2016/9/8/merlin-griffiths-the-priory-tavern|url-status=dead}} now owning a chain of pubs,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-07-29 |title=First Dates' Merlin 'shed a tear in private' with girlfriend in cancer battle |url=https://www.northantslive.news/news/northamptonshire-news/first-dates-daventry-star-merlin-7397165 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Northants Live |language=en}} who had previously worked as a global brand ambassador for Bombay Sapphire gin.{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/tabathaleggett/things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-first-dates|title=32 Things You Probably Didn't Know About "First Dates"|work=BuzzFeed|date=29 September 2015 }} Griffiths also works alongside co-bartender Fiona Beck who as well as working in the First Dates restaurant, has a career in advertising. She has also worked as a model in the past, featuring in fashion shows in Paris, Barcelona and New York.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-19|title=Who is Fiona from First Dates 2021? Meet the new bartender on series 16!|url=https://www.realitytitbit.com/channel-4/fiona-first-dates-2021|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Reality Titbit|language=en-US}}
First Dates: The Podcast
In June 2023, First Dates production company Twenty Twenty and Nordic podcast company Podimo announced{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Adam |date=2023-06-26 |title=First Dates spin-off podcast to launch this summer |url=https://www.podpod.com/article/1827903/first-dates-spin-off-podcast-launch-summer |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=PodPod}} a new spin-off podcast would be launched in the Summer. The show, which launched in July 2023, is hosted by CiCi Coleman and Frankie Bridge.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-13 |title=Launch date for brand-new First Dates: The Podcast revealed |url=https://podcastingtoday.co.uk/launch-date-for-brand-new-first-dates-the-podcast-revealed/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Podcasting Today}}{{Cite web |title=First Dates: The Podcast |url=https://audioboom.com/channels/5111296-first-dates-the-podcast |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=audioboom.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=First Dates: The Podcast - YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLWsnx-3DAGaSlElB5jXLW59SEEkJWMGYi |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=www.youtube.com}}{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Bionic |title=Twenty Twenty Casting - First Dates: The Podcast |url=https://www.twentytwenty.tv/takepart/FirstDatesPod |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=www.twentytwenty.tv}}{{Cite web |title=CiCi Coleman |url=https://listentofirstdates.com/person/cici-coleman |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=First Dates: The Podcast |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-06-28 |title=Frankie Bridge and Cici Coleman to host First Dates: The Podcast - PodcastingToday |url=https://podcastingtoday.co.uk/frankie-bridge-and-cici-coleman-to-host-first-dates-the-podcast/ |access-date=2024-01-26 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Sam |date=2023-06-27 |title=First Dates is launching a podcast and wants your incredible dating stories |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/first-dates-launching-podcast-frankie-27209046 |access-date=2024-01-26 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}
Transmissions
=Regular=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||
| Series | Start date | End date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 June 2013 | 25 July 2013 | 6 |
| 2 | 12 February 2014 | 2 April 2014 | 8 |
| 3 | 6 March 2015 | 24 September 2015 | 12{{cite web |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4-makes-another-date-first-dates |title=Channel 4 makes another date with First Dates |website=Channel 4 |accessdate=27 May 2015}} |
| 4 | 1 October 2015 | 19 April 2016 | 24 |
| 5 | 8 July 2016 | 30 May 2017 | 24 |
| 6 | 18 April 2017 | 18 December 2017 | 25 |
| 7 | 2 November 2017 | 3 December 2019 | 25 |
| 8 | 25 October 2018 | 23 December 2020 | 27 |
| 9 | 19 January 2021 | 15 May 2023 | 32 |
| 10 | 2 January 2024 | TBD | 30 |
=Compilations=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |
| Date | Entitle |
|---|---|
| 28 October 2020 | Together Forever |
| 4 November 2020 | Opposites Attract |
| 11 November 2020 | Second Chances |
| 18 November 2020 | Plot Twists |
| 25 November 2020 | Celebrity Best Bits |
| 2 December 2020 | Fireworks |
| 24 February 2022 | The Awkward Ones |
| 3 March 2022 | Doubles Dates |
| 10 March 2022 | This Is Me |
| 17 March 2022 | The Returners |
| 24 March 2022 | Needle in a Haystack |
| 31 March 2022 | Odd Jobs |
| 30 June 2022 | Pride Special |
=''First Dates Hotel''=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||
| Series | Start date | End date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 January 2017 | 6 February 2017 | 6 |
| 2 | 8 January 2018 | 9 October 2018 | 12 |
| 3 | 5 September 2019 | 4 October 2022 | 24 |
=''Teen First Dates''=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||
| Series | Start date | End date | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 February 2021 | 5 April 2021 | 6 |
| 2 | 23 February 2022 | TBD 2023 | TBD |
International versions
The format created in the United Kingdom has been adapted in Belgium, Finland, Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Australia, Spain, Ireland, New Zealand, Italy, Poland, USA, France, Brazil, Israel, Sweden, Norway, Argentina, Portugal, Austria, South Africa and Greece.
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Country
! Title ! TV channel ! Year aired |
|---|
| {{Country|Argentina}}
| Primera Cita | Telefe | 14 February 2018 – 30 March 2018 |
| rowspan="2"| {{Country|Australia}}
| rowspan="2"| First Dates | 3 February 2016 – 11 March 2020 |
| Network 10
| 24 February 2022 – 18 May 2022 |
| {{Country|Austria}}
| First Dates Austria | ATV | 17 April 2019 – present |
| {{Country|Belgium}}
| First Dates | Eén | 5 March 2020 – present |
| {{Country|Brazil}}
| 22 June 2017 – 21 September 2017 |
| {{Country|Canada}}
| Slice | 1 September 2015 – 18 April 2017 |
| {{Country|Czech Republic}}
| První večeře | Prima | 30 August 2021 – present |
| {{Country|Finland}}
| First Dates Suomi | MTV3 | 19 September 2019 – present |
| {{Country|France}}
| Premier rendez-vous et plus si affinités | TF1 | 12 June 2017 – present |
| rowspan="3" | {{Country|Germany}}
| First Dates | sixx | 21 October 2015 – 9 December 2015 |
| First Dates – Ein Tisch für Zwei
| rowspan="2" | VOX | 5 March 2018 – present |
| First Dates Hotel
| 20 April 2020 – present |
| {{Country|Greece}}
| First Dates | 30 April 2023 – present |
| {{Country|Ireland}}
| RTÉ2 | 21 April 2016 – present |
| {{Country|Israel}}
| דייט ראשון | 18 December 2017 – present |
| rowspan="3" | {{Country|Italy}}
| rowspan="3" | Real Time | 14 March 2017 – present |
| Primo appuntamento Crociera
| 18 May 2021 – present |
| Primo appuntamento Hotel
| 2 January 2024 – present |
| {{Country|Netherlands}}
| First Dates | 18 March 2015 – present |
| {{Country|New Zealand}}
| First Dates | October 2016 – present |
| {{Country|Norway}}
| Første date | TVNorge | 4 January 2018 – present{{Cite web|title=Dplay|url=https://www.dplay.no/programmer/forste-date|access-date=2020-09-26|website=www.dplay.no}} |
| {{Country|Poland}}
| TVP2 | 16 March 2017 – 16 November 2017 |
| {{Country|Portugal}}
| First Dates – O Primeiro Encontro | TVI | 2 January 2019 – present |
| {{Country|South Africa}}
| First Dates South Africa | 16 October 2019 – present |
| rowspan="2"| {{Country|Spain}}
| rowspan="2"| Cuatro | 17 April 2016 – present |
| First Dates: Crucero
| 13 January 2020 – 25 April 2022 |
| {{Country|Sweden}}
| Första dejten | SVT | 13 March 2017 – present |
| {{Country|United States}}
| NBC | 7 April 2017 – 26 May 2017 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Channel4.com|programmes/first-dates}}
- {{Channel4.com|programmes/first-dates-hotel|First Dates Hotel}}
- {{Channel4.com|programmes/teen-first-dates|Teen First Dates}}
- {{IMDb title|2980110}}
- {{IMDb title|6454852|First Dates Hotel}}
- {{IMDb title|13715332|Teen First Dates}}
Category:2013 British television series debuts
Category:2010s British reality television series
Category:2020s British reality television series
Category:British dating and relationship reality television series
Category:Channel 4 reality television shows
Category:British English-language television shows
Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios