SAVE THE DATE
First Dates jetting off to new Mediterranean destination for Beach Club spin-off – and show’s stars will reunite
Meanwhile, the makers of Mr Bates Vs The Post Office are investigating a new shock scandal to document
FIRST Dates is jetting off on another summer holiday to put a fresh spin on its successful format.
The Channel 4 show, which celebrated its tenth anniversary series in 2023, is sending its next batch of romantic hopefuls abroad for new spin-off, First Dates Beach Club.
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Following the format’s successful run on Spanish telly, show maître d’ Fred Sirieix and bartender Merlin Griffiths will be reunited at a sunny beachside location in the Mediterranean.
An insider said: “First Dates Beach Club will offer singletons a great opportunity to get involved in the ultimate summer of love, alongside the show’s team, who are used to playing Cupid.
“It will bring together singletons in the picturesque location, with idyllic views and relaxed holiday vibes, which makes for the perfect backdrop for discovering new romance.
“Fred, Merlin and all the familiar faces will be there to help the daters find the one, with the added help of the sun-soaked atmosphere of a seaside hotel.
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“The sun and sea are undoubtedly going to give this format the ultimate sizzle.”
Filming for the new series is due to take place this summer, with applications to take part still being accepted by casting company Twenty Twenty Television. It is expected to air next year.
Since First Dates debuted in 2013, it has moved between different restaurants and filming locations, such as London, Manchester and Bath.
There have also been a number of spin-offs, including First Dates Hotel, which was filmed in Italy and Spain, and Teen First Dates.
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Chocolate lover
The 23rd season of the UK-based First Dates returns on Monday, February 3, at 10pm.
The first episode of the series, filmed at The Botanist restaurant in Bath, is particularly sweet as it features chocolate-lover Justine, who is the owner of a cafe where host Fred often visits, and Angus, a chocolate expert.
Fred Siriex reveals First Dates shake up at Lu petit ganache launch
Pri-ice of fame Karen
THE atmosphere will be frosty when The Apprentice returns on Thursday – with candidates jetting off to the freezing Austrian Alps.
And Lord Sugar’s advisor Karren Brady revealed she faced a challenge of her own – taking notes in the bitter cold.
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The businesswoman said: “We were standing more than 3,000 metres above sea level, it was so cold, and I had to take my gloves off to write my notes.
“I couldn’t write because my hand literally froze. It was so bad that I couldn’t even read my own words back at the end of the day.”
She added: “I really did suffer for our art.”
Karren also said the BBC One show’s schedule can be gruelling.
She explained: “We get no down time.
“When it says it’s 4am, it really is 4am, and we’re up when they’re up, and we finish when they finish.
“You need a lot of stamina.
“But it really is hard work. We’re putting a proper shift in!”
Scandal unveiled
THE makers of Mr Bates Vs The Post Office will investigate the “spy cop scandal” in a new documentary.
Five women activists who had intimate relationships with undercover officers will open up in three-parter The Undercover Police Scandal: Love and Lies Exposed on ITV and ITVX later this year.
Jessie's good shout
KAT SLATER screaming at “sister” Zoe that she was really her mum is one of EastEnders’ most memorable moments.
But actress Jessie Wallace – who delivered the explosive line just before the soap’s duff duff end credits in 2001 – has told how she was supposed to drop the bombshell in a whisper.
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She made the revelation on Walford co-star Lacey Turner’s new podcast, We Started Here.
It will also feature guests including actors Ricky Whittle and Rakhee Thakrar.
Jessie said: “The writer had written that line as I whispered it.
“I was like, ‘No, if I’ve been holding this in for 18 years, I’m going to scream it out’.”
Zoe, played by Michelle Ryan, was conceived when Kat was raped by her uncle.
Another helping of stars
ITV is serving up a fifth series of Cooking With The Stars later this year, I can reveal.
Emma Willis and Tom Allen look set to return to their presenting roles, which they have filled since the programme launched in 2021.
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I can also confirm the new season will be another six-parter and will start filming this spring with a view to airing in the autumn.
Of course, there will be another line up of celebrities willing to reveal just how questionable their culinary skills are.
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Or, in the case of the last series’ winner, Ellie Simmonds, how surprisingly sensational they are in the kitchen.
Previous winners have included McFly star Harry Judd, This Morning doctor Ranj Singh and Coronation street actor Samia Longchambon.
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