Hit E4 reality dating show First Dates is returning to screens with a brand new teens series filmed right here in Manchester next year.
First Dates: Teens – a spin-off of the original series which first aired on TV screens in the UK back in 2013 – will feature a whole host of singletons between the ages of 16 and 19 who will each be matched up for a blind dinner date at the brand new First Dates restaurant in the heart of Manchester city centre.
As ever, star of the show Maître D Fred Sirieix, bartender Merlin, waiters Cici and Grant, and some new faces, will invite the first daters into the restaurants and a team of expert matchmakers will aim to find the perfect match for each teenager.
The series will give young romantics the chance to step away from dating apps and smartphones, and “escape from the pressures of social media and talk face-to-face with a potential match.”
The E4 description for the show reads: “They’ll be able to put their flirting to the test, but most importantly, take a journey of self-discovery.
“Through their own experiences and viewpoints, the teens will explore who they are, who they want to be, and what it takes to make the perfect connection with another person.”
Filming for the new series had already begun at Spinningfields restaurant The Refinery in March, but the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic understandably brought production to a halt, and it was then confirmed that filming recommenced in September.
Fred Sirieix – has said he is “very excited” to open the doors to a new clientele.
He said: “We’ll be creating a warm and welcoming space for them to meet new people and hopefully make a connection. Most importantly, we will be looking after them like our own and will provide a space where they can just be themselves without any distractions from the outside world, or their phones.
“It’s going to be so much fun and I can’t wait to get started”.
Karl Warner – Controller of E4 – added: “We’re thrilled to have First Dates: Teens on E4.
“We want to showcase the full range and diversity of teenagers in the UK today, the way they feel about dating, and what they make of the world around them – COVID, Brexit, Nicki Minaj.
“It’s entertainment with depth, and a great example of the surprising, funny and heartfelt TV we love at E4.”
Each of the dates on First Dates: Teens have been conducted in compliance with strict COVID-19 filming protocols and the most up-to-date government guidelines to ensure the safety of all involved, and while a launch date for the new series has not yet been announced, all six episodes are expected to air early 2021.
Keep your eyes peeled.