First Dates

Maître d' Fred Sirieix and his team prepare once again to play Cupid at their Manchester restaurant. Essex-born cleaning fanatic Fleur is paired with Essex boy Louis, who reveals he has been working as a high-end escort. Thirty five-year-old Ian, from Co Durham, is full of contradictions, which include working as a gas fitter while also running an art gallery with a champagne bar. it remains to be seen if similarly-aged medical lab assistant Michaela could be the woman to love all of his quirks.

Once again, maître d' Fred Sirieix plays Cupid at the Manchester restaurant. First to arrive is 36-year-old, larger-than-life stand-up comedian Mani. Despite his confidence on stage, he's yet to find a strong, independent Pakistani Muslim woman he can settle down with off stage. His match is 30-year-old nursing home owner Natasha, whose quick wit and dry sense of humour seem set to give Mani a run for his money. Twenty nine-year-old hairdresser Scott has a history of relationships being cut short. He's paired with gentle giant and self-confessed Nintendo geek Lewis, who wonders if his love of computer games is the thing that's keeping him single.

Luca, a 31-year-old tiler from Essex, is hoping to polish up his love life by visiting the First Dates restaurant, and is keen to prove he's not the 'player' women judge him to be. His date is TV presenter Hayley, who may be confident on camera, but finds dating rather daunting. Next in is 72-year-old retired prison officer Sandie who, having modelled the first police-issue trousers for women, completed a Masters, and written a book, has lived a full life and wants to find someone to share an active retirement with. Her date is 79-year-old tennis coach Chris, who is also on the lookout for someone fit and active.

Barrister clerk Bethany is worried that she intimidates men and scares them away. She is paired with tall telephone engineer Dan, keen to see whether he measures up to her expectations. However, Dan's party boy ways may well prove an obstacle to the pair making a connection. Truck driver Beth is fed up with riding solo. Her date is freelance pilot Aristos, who rarely encounters women in his day-to-day life. Theodora ended her marriage of 46 years and is now searching for romance. She meets widower Simon, who promised his wife he would find love again after she died.

Returning to the restaurant from earlier in the series is 31-year-old Luca from Essex. After his last date with TV presenter Hayley didn't work out, the self-proclaimed `Italian Stallion" is paired with 32-year-old Natalie, a saleswoman and amateur Tina Turner impersonator. Plus, nanny and pony groom Fabia is matched with country boy George, who supposedly sports a bit of an edge. Also seeking companionship are English teacher and facial piercing addict George, bibliophile Ria, handyman David and care worker Denise.

Thirty four-year-old Dan, a construction manager from Essex putting a broken engagement behind him. He is partnered with 35-year-old Jess, a personal trainer whose love life is in need of a good workout. Twenty-five-year-old Emily from Leeds boasts a master's degree in law. Her date is rom-com-loving Yorkshire lad Ryan. Carpet salesman Nathan, 28, has been round the block and back again in his home town of Burnley. But he is here to turn over a new leaf. His date is retail assistant Chloe, 23, a Lancashire woman who hates a pushover and is looking for a man to challenge her.