First Dates

9 July 2013

Part of the Mating Season, First Dates is a brand new interactive, observational documentary series, following the thrills, fears and loves of modern dating.

With nine million Brits now looking for love online and potentially meeting their partners on blind dates, the world of modern dating is complicated, but some things never change – when eyes first meet and hearts skip a beat. This is the first time television might truly capture the look of love – following daters who are hoping that they just might spend the rest of their life together.

The series will invite people from all walks of life from around the country, who are looking for love. Using a fixed-rig, the series will film new couples each week in a unique restaurant – where everyone is on a first date. From the moment they lay eyes on each other to their parting glance, the hour-long programmes will show every shared joke, faux pas and blossoming connection as the series aims to see first love unfolding.

At the end of every date, the couples will talk candidly to the camera about their evening and answer the killer question – will they see each other again? In a twist to the series, if the answer is a resounding no, some of the unsuccessful daters will be able to appeal to the nation. They will ask the viewing public to put themselves forward as their potential next date, by applying on channel4.com/firstdates. Just a few days later, if the dater chooses them, the viewer could be sitting opposite them in the next First Dates episode.

When channel4.com/firstdates goes live, two weeks before First Dates starts, viewers will be able to apply for dates with daters from upcoming episodes, featured on the site.  Viewers will be able to witness the dates as close to first hand as possible. Will that initial spark fizzle out or turn into fireworks?

 

Episode 6/6 - Thurs 25 July, 9pm

In the final episode, ladies’ man Terry is back in the restaurant to find love, hoping it will be third time lucky. Has he met his match with bi-sexual Larisha?  Fifty-year-old Ed has spent over £10,000 on dating, with little or no success, but is hoping that Dawn will be the woman of his dreams.  Canadian born and bred Donato has only recently moved to the UK and his transatlantic charms may win over Londoner Kate. Twenty-two-year-old Rajan returns to the restaurant, but once again his bold dating techniques and unique line of questioning may leave him without a second date on the cards.

 

Episode 5/6 - Thurs 18 July, 9pm

In the fifth episode, modern day Lothario Lewis, 27, arrives at the restaurant with a tried and tested plan to charm his way into the affections of 23-year-old Megan, only to find himself bowled over by her warmth and personality. Unfortunately for him air stewardess Megan meets men with similar intentions all too often. Twenty-four-year-old Lee has to hold his own against the sharp humour of 29-year-old Marky. Daniel, 33, from Aberystwyth returns to the restaurant after his first ever date, this time with 26-year-old Charlotte.

 

Episode 4/6 – Thurs 11 July, 9pm

In this fourth episode, 31-year-old Daniel from Aberystwyth is on his first ever date, hoping to overcome his nervousness around the opposite sex. At just 4 ft 11, 40-year-old Hank has learned to deal with society’s attitude to his height, now he's looking to meet a lady to love him for who he is. After going commando on last week’s date, can 28-year-old Phil find his lucky pants to wear when he meets well-groomed Home Counties girl Sarah? Lively scouser Amanda is charmed by 36-year-old electrician Carl, but a drink too many could stop attraction in its tracks. And 31-year-old Tamsin, who came armed with a checklist when she met Ben in the first episode, returns to the restaurant for a new First Date with 29-year-old Phil. Can he handle her serial approach to dating?

 

Episode 3/6 – Thurs 4 July, 9pm

In this third episode, can well-heeled 28-year-old financial head hunter Phil sweep picky wine aficionado Lucinda off her feet? Twenty-year-old glamour model Danielle is returning to the dating scene after having her heart broken. Leon is in need of a confidence boost after being single for several years, but for the 27-year old, revealing that he is living with HIV is a tough hurdle to negotiate. And 22-year-old Rajan returns to the restaurant for a new First Date with 20-year-old Shaunie, but his opinionated and questioning approach to dating proves hard to handle once again.

 

Episode 2/6 – Thurs 27 June, 9pm

In the second episode, Amanda is looking for her future husband, but wishes her self-proclaimed ‘man of mystery’, had stayed just that. Chris is hoping to overcome his geeky stereotype to find a girl who wants to join him on life's adventure. Twenty-four-year-old recruitment consultant Soifra is searching for personality as well as looks, but will a young pilot-turned-model convince her he has enough depth for a second date? And will cheerleading coach Fayhe, who had over 1000 men apply to date her, find those butterflies she’s looking for?

 

Episode 1/6 – Thurs 20 June, 9pm

In this first episode, Faliraki DJ Terry wants to tame his wild love life and find a girl to settle down with, but the temptation of a gorgeous girl proves difficult to resist on his date night. Sixty-eight-year-old Richard is venturing into online dating three years after losing his wife. Can 26-year-old Will win over 23-year-old cheerleading coach Fayhe with his unusual flirting techniques? And Edward, who's 45, is looking for a fun-loving, vivacious woman, but he may get more than he can handle when he's faced with an outgoing date across the table.