The Undateables

16 December 2013

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Looking for love can be tricky, but some find it harder than others.  Add disability to the equation and it can sometimes seem almost impossible. This uplifting series returns to follow the journeys of several extraordinary singletons as they enter the dating circuit in pursuit of love.

From a four-time gold medal winner in the Dwarf Games to a jazz singer with Tourette’s, to a careworker with a rare form of Down Syndrome, we follow them as they enter the world of blind dates and matchmaking.  Their quest to find love and companionship will take them on a journey of highs and lows, but all are open to finding someone special.

Mary is a 44-year-old mature student with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. Full of energy and with an action-packed life, Mary represented Team GB in the Dwarf Games, winning four gold medals in shot put, discus, javelin and football.  Off the pitch she makes sure she looks her best earning her the nickname “Naomi Campbell.”  Mary has had two long term relationships but has never truly been in love. She’s been single now for over four years: “I just want to find a guy that’s not afraid to walk into a room with me… somebody who loves my every being.” However, there is one man in her life who is a constant - her 16-year-old son Reece, who also has dwarfism. Will he approve of personal trainer Jet, who whisks Mary off for a night of champagne and ice-skating?

Daniel, 25, has autism, which makes communication extremely difficult – but he finds an outlet in his songs, many of which are about love, and his desire for a girlfriend. When communicating, he knows what he wants to say, but often the words come out in the wrong order. At six foot four, Daniel is a romantic gentle giant who has been single for two years. All he wants is a girlfriend who he can spoil with Valentine’s cards and cuddly toys. After careful practice and preparation with his mum, Daniel goes on a date with 28-year-old Hollie, armed with a list of questions.  Will he manage to hold down a conversation and win Hollie over? 

Nursery nurse Hayley, 29, has a job she loves, a tight-knit family and close friends but there’s one thing that’s always eluded her – a boyfriend.  She’s never had a serious relationship and had one date in the past nine years. Hayley has Apert Syndrome, a rare genetic condition which is characterised by malformations of the face, hands and feet.  Her condition has made dating difficult for her and she longs to meet someone who can look beyond her condition and love her for who she is: “never judge a book by its cover – this is my cover… the book’s inside.  I just need to find someone that’ll look beyond what they see in front of them”. Hayley believes that there is someone out there for everyone and is determined to find her Mr Right.  Could 34-year-old council worker Chris be the man of her dreams?

 With the help of Flame, a bespoke personal introduction agency,  and Stars in the Sky, a specialist dating agency for people with learning disabilities, this touching series explores the realities of looking for love in our anonymous, fast-paced, image-obsessed world, where all too often people make snap judgements or assumptions based on first impressions.

1 in 5 UK families experience estrangement but social networking sites have made it easier than ever before for those affected to see, and get in touch with the people they’d like to be reunited with. 

Making initial contact might seem easy – just one click away - but knowing what to do next can be hard to navigate without expert help. In One Click Away an experienced family separation expert will support and guide the estranged family members through a robust process.

Commissioning Executive, Vivienne Molokwu said: “Social media gives unparalleled access to find missing people but reuniting is the easy part of building a relationship. This programme looks beyond that fairy tale moment and helps family members through the real challenge of forging long lasting connections.”

Karl Warner, joint managing director of Electric Ray, said: “One Click Away is a contemporary take on an issue that affects more and more of us, focusing on the huge range of young and diverse people seeking out a family member. Their stories promise to be dramatic and moving.”

The TX Pilot has been commissioned by Channel 4 Head of Features and Daytime, Gill Wilson and Commissioning Executive, Vivienne Molokwu. It will be Exec produced by Karl Warner and Meredith Chambers from Electric Ray.

Array

Array

Looking for love can be tricky, but some find it harder than others.  Add disability to the equation and it can sometimes seem almost impossible. This uplifting series returns to follow the journeys of several extraordinary singletons as they enter the dating circuit in pursuit of love.

From a four-time gold medal winner in the Dwarf Games to a jazz singer with Tourette’s, to a careworker with a rare form of Down Syndrome, we follow them as they enter the world of blind dates and matchmaking.  Their quest to find love and companionship will take them on a journey of highs and lows, but all are open to finding someone special.

Mary is a 44-year-old mature student with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. Full of energy and with an action-packed life, Mary represented Team GB in the Dwarf Games, winning four gold medals in shot put, discus, javelin and football.  Off the pitch she makes sure she looks her best earning her the nickname “Naomi Campbell.”  Mary has had two long term relationships but has never truly been in love. She’s been single now for over four years: “I just want to find a guy that’s not afraid to walk into a room with me… somebody who loves my every being.” However, there is one man in her life who is a constant - her 16-year-old son Reece, who also has dwarfism. Will he approve of personal trainer Jet, who whisks Mary off for a night of champagne and ice-skating?

Daniel, 25, has autism, which makes communication extremely difficult – but he finds an outlet in his songs, many of which are about love, and his desire for a girlfriend. When communicating, he knows what he wants to say, but often the words come out in the wrong order. At six foot four, Daniel is a romantic gentle giant who has been single for two years. All he wants is a girlfriend who he can spoil with Valentine’s cards and cuddly toys. After careful practice and preparation with his mum, Daniel goes on a date with 28-year-old Hollie, armed with a list of questions.  Will he manage to hold down a conversation and win Hollie over? 

Nursery nurse Hayley, 29, has a job she loves, a tight-knit family and close friends but there’s one thing that’s always eluded her – a boyfriend.  She’s never had a serious relationship and had one date in the past nine years. Hayley has Apert Syndrome, a rare genetic condition which is characterised by malformations of the face, hands and feet.  Her condition has made dating difficult for her and she longs to meet someone who can look beyond her condition and love her for who she is: “never judge a book by its cover – this is my cover… the book’s inside.  I just need to find someone that’ll look beyond what they see in front of them”. Hayley believes that there is someone out there for everyone and is determined to find her Mr Right.  Could 34-year-old council worker Chris be the man of her dreams?

 With the help of Flame, a bespoke personal introduction agency,  and Stars in the Sky, a specialist dating agency for people with learning disabilities, this touching series explores the realities of looking for love in our anonymous, fast-paced, image-obsessed world, where all too often people make snap judgements or assumptions based on first impressions.

1 in 5 UK families experience estrangement but social networking sites have made it easier than ever before for those affected to see, and get in touch with the people they’d like to be reunited with. 

Making initial contact might seem easy – just one click away - but knowing what to do next can be hard to navigate without expert help. In One Click Away an experienced family separation expert will support and guide the estranged family members through a robust process.

Commissioning Executive, Vivienne Molokwu said: “Social media gives unparalleled access to find missing people but reuniting is the easy part of building a relationship. This programme looks beyond that fairy tale moment and helps family members through the real challenge of forging long lasting connections.”

Karl Warner, joint managing director of Electric Ray, said: “One Click Away is a contemporary take on an issue that affects more and more of us, focusing on the huge range of young and diverse people seeking out a family member. Their stories promise to be dramatic and moving.”

The TX Pilot has been commissioned by Channel 4 Head of Features and Daytime, Gill Wilson and Commissioning Executive, Vivienne Molokwu. It will be Exec produced by Karl Warner and Meredith Chambers from Electric Ray.

Array

Array

Looking for love can be tricky, but some find it harder than others.  Add disability to the equation and it can sometimes seem almost impossible. This uplifting series returns to follow the journeys of several extraordinary singletons as they enter the dating circuit in pursuit of love.

From a four-time gold medal winner in the Dwarf Games to a jazz singer with Tourette’s, to a careworker with a rare form of Down Syndrome, we follow them as they enter the world of blind dates and matchmaking.  Their quest to find love and companionship will take them on a journey of highs and lows, but all are open to finding someone special.

Mary is a 44-year-old mature student with achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. Full of energy and with an action-packed life, Mary represented Team GB in the Dwarf Games, winning four gold medals in shot put, discus, javelin and football.  Off the pitch she makes sure she looks her best earning her the nickname “Naomi Campbell.”  Mary has had two long term relationships but has never truly been in love. She’s been single now for over four years: “I just want to find a guy that’s not afraid to walk into a room with me… somebody who loves my every being.” However, there is one man in her life who is a constant - her 16-year-old son Reece, who also has dwarfism. Will he approve of personal trainer Jet, who whisks Mary off for a night of champagne and ice-skating?

Daniel, 25, has autism, which makes communication extremely difficult – but he finds an outlet in his songs, many of which are about love, and his desire for a girlfriend. When communicating, he knows what he wants to say, but often the words come out in the wrong order. At six foot four, Daniel is a romantic gentle giant who has been single for two years. All he wants is a girlfriend who he can spoil with Valentine’s cards and cuddly toys. After careful practice and preparation with his mum, Daniel goes on a date with 28-year-old Hollie, armed with a list of questions.  Will he manage to hold down a conversation and win Hollie over? 

Nursery nurse Hayley, 29, has a job she loves, a tight-knit family and close friends but there’s one thing that’s always eluded her – a boyfriend.  She’s never had a serious relationship and had one date in the past nine years. Hayley has Apert Syndrome, a rare genetic condition which is characterised by malformations of the face, hands and feet.  Her condition has made dating difficult for her and she longs to meet someone who can look beyond her condition and love her for who she is: “never judge a book by its cover – this is my cover… the book’s inside.  I just need to find someone that’ll look beyond what they see in front of them”. Hayley believes that there is someone out there for everyone and is determined to find her Mr Right.  Could 34-year-old council worker Chris be the man of her dreams?

 With the help of Flame, a bespoke personal introduction agency,  and Stars in the Sky, a specialist dating agency for people with learning disabilities, this touching series explores the realities of looking for love in our anonymous, fast-paced, image-obsessed world, where all too often people make snap judgements or assumptions based on first impressions.

1 in 5 UK families experience estrangement but social networking sites have made it easier than ever before for those affected to see, and get in touch with the people they’d like to be reunited with. 

Making initial contact might seem easy – just one click away - but knowing what to do next can be hard to navigate without expert help. In One Click Away an experienced family separation expert will support and guide the estranged family members through a robust process.

Commissioning Executive, Vivienne Molokwu said: “Social media gives unparalleled access to find missing people but reuniting is the easy part of building a relationship. This programme looks beyond that fairy tale moment and helps family members through the real challenge of forging long lasting connections.”

Karl Warner, joint managing director of Electric Ray, said: “One Click Away is a contemporary take on an issue that affects more and more of us, focusing on the huge range of young and diverse people seeking out a family member. Their stories promise to be dramatic and moving.”

The TX Pilot has been commissioned by Channel 4 Head of Features and Daytime, Gill Wilson and Commissioning Executive, Vivienne Molokwu. It will be Exec produced by Karl Warner and Meredith Chambers from Electric Ray.