Fred Sirieix

Fred Sirieix was left in tears after a luxury hotel surprised him with a touching gesture featuring his beloved children

A touching gesture left Fred Sirieix in tears.

The First Dates star was given an unexpected Father’s Day surprise during filming for his new travel series. He became emotional when staff at a luxury hotel in Singapore arranged a personal gesture for him while he was filming Fred’s Ultimate Hotels, which is set to air on Monday (August 31st).

Fred was staying at the iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore, one of the city’s most famous landmarks, when the hotel team decided to mark Father’s Day in a very special way.

Speaking about the moment, Fred admitted he was completely caught off guard when he returned to his room and discovered a surprise waiting for him.

“I arrived there on Father’s Day on the 21st of June,” he explained. “My concierge picked some pictures off the internet of my kids. They used AI to mock up a card to say happy Father’s Day. ‘We love you’, blah, blah, blah, and he put it in my room.”

The thoughtful gesture proved too much for Fred, who admitted he immediately became emotional. “Wow. Oh my God, I knew my kids are everything for me and I just saw that card there,” he said. “It was just on Father’s Day. I cried.”

Fred has two children with his former partner Alessandra Spendolini – daughter Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix, a professional Team GB diver who won a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and was named the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2020, and son Lucien, who stays away from the spotlight.

The emotional moment came during Fred’s stay at Raffles, which is one of Singapore’s best-known hotels and has become synonymous with the city since opening its doors in the 19th century.

The hotel is famed for its colonial architecture, luxurious suites and its connection to the Singapore Sling cocktail, which was created at its Long Bar.

It has 115 suites spread across nine categories, with no standard hotel rooms, while its Presidential Suite costs around £12,000 per night.

During his time in Singapore, Fred also took part in a number of experiences as part of the new series. His adventures included a sidecar tour, a visit to the city’s Botanic Gardens and a trip to a hawker centre, where he explored Singapore’s famous food culture.

He also learned Tai Chi from a master at Raffles before heading out on a yacht experience around Sentosa. The Botanic Gardens provided another glimpse into Singapore’s unique landscape, with the city being one of the few places in the world where primary rainforest can be found within its city limits.

The trip forms part of Fred’s Ultimate Hotels, in which the television personality explores some of the world’s most remarkable hotels while getting to know the destinations and cultures surrounding them.

But despite the luxury and extraordinary experiences on offer, it was the simple Father’s Day gesture that left the biggest impression on Fred.

Fred’s Ultimate Hotels airs on Monday, August 31 at 8pm on Channel 4.

Fred Sirieix has revealed the terrifying moment he feared for his life filming his new Channel 4 show

TV star Fred Sirieix has opened up on a near-death experience.

The First Dates star revealed the terrifying moment a tour guide saved his life after he found himself caught between an elephant and two rhinos during a bushwalk in South Africa.

He opened up about the frightening encounter while explaining why he chose Ernie for his Hospitality Hero Award in his brand new travel documentary series Fred’s Ultimate Hotels, which airs on Monday (August 31) at 8pm on Channel 4.

Fred had been staying at The Royal Madikwe Lodge, a luxury safari retreat on the border between South Africa and Botswana, where he experienced a host of activities including game drives, a walking safari and rhino conservation but it was during the walking safari that the trip took a potentially deadly turn.

Recalling the moment, Fred explained the moment Ernie received his award: “Ernie in South Africa – the guy who saved my life in the bushwalk, where we had the near miss.

“He was crying like a baby. He’s a mountain of a man, strong like an elephant, the heart of an elephant, he was crying, big tears, it was beautiful.”

Fred then explained how the group became caught in an extremely dangerous position in the bush.“Well, we went on a bush walk, and basically what happened is we got sandwiched between one elephant and two rhinos, it’s not a good place to be, let me tell you that,” he said.

The television star praised Ernie for remaining calm and relying on his extensive knowledge of wildlife to protect the group. :Anyway, Ernie came into his own, the guide because it’s all about their training and knowing how to read an animal,” Fred explained.

“They don’t want you there, the animals, they don’t think that you should be there and they are very territorial. So if you’re in front of the water or there or whatever, they just charge.”

According to Fred, Ernie managed to drive the animals away without resorting to a firearm. “So he managed to scare them. Without using a gun or anything, just his arms and whatever he was doing, and they left,” he said.

During his stay, Fred was based in the Naledi Suite at The Royal Madikwe Lodge, which offers three luxury suites and two luxury villas, all with private pools. Its top accommodation, The Sovereign House, costs around £6,000 per night.

The retreat also boasts an infinity pool beside its main clubhouse and offers gastronomic dining experiences led by head chef Zuki, who trained at the Mount Nelson Hotel.

Fred’s trip began with an arrival in the middle of the bush on a small plane from Johannesburg before he embarked on a packed itinerary of safari experiences.

As well as morning and sunset game drives and the walking safari, he took part in rhino conservation, with the experience costing £3,500 and funds going towards the Madikwe Wildlife Foundation.

He also enjoyed a South African wine tasting featuring Chenin Blanc with sommelier Ingrid, who was flown in from Cape Town for guests, as well as yoga with instructor Jess, flown in from Johannesburg. The trip also featured a Marimba band and a bush dinner.

Fred’s Ultimate Hotels airs on Monday, August 31 at 8pm on Channel 4

The new series will see a beloved TV star explore the world’s most luxurious hotels

Channel 4 have confirmed a brand new travel series with a TV favourite as host.

Fronted by First Dates star Fred Sirieix, the travel show titled Fred’s Ultimate Hotels will see the star explore the world’s most luxurious hotels.

The hospitality expert is swapping the restaurant floor for the open road to spotlight some of the most breathtaking places to stay.

From the regal splendour of The Royal Mansour in Marrakech and the stunning Royal Madikwe safari lodge in South Africa, to the timeless grandeur of Raffles Singapore, Fred will travel the globe checking into the world’s most spectacular hotels.

He will take viewers behind the scenes to reveal the people, precision and passion that create world-class service. During his stay, he uses own Five Fs: First Impressions, Facilities, Flawless Service, Fine Details and Feeling.

But this is far more than a luxury travel series. In every episode, Fred experiences each hotel from both sides of the reception desk.

First checking in as a guest to enjoy everything the property and destination have to offer, he then swaps five-star luxury for staff uniform, working alongside the teams responsible for creating seamless guest experiences.

Speaking about the new show, Fred said: “People often think the secret to a great hotel is the building, the food or the luxury.” Of course, those things matter but for me, it’s always about the people.

“The welcome, the attention to detail and the passion of the staff are what turn a wonderful hotel into an unforgettable experience.”

Every episode ends with Fred presenting his Hospitality Hero Award to one exceptional member of staff. Fred remarked: “It was an incredible privilege to work alongside some of the world’s best hospitality teams and to see first-hand the pride they take in what they do.

“I hope viewers will discover some extraordinary places, but more importantly meet the remarkable people who make them so special.”

Jannine Waddell, Executive Producer at Waddell Media, said: “Fred is the perfect host for this series. As one of the world’s leading hospitality experts, he knows exactly what it takes to deliver truly exceptional five-star service.

“But what makes Fred so special is that he’s never afraid to roll up his sleeves and get back to the job he loves. Whether he’s checking in guests, working front of house or supporting the team behind the scenes.

“He has enormous respect for the people whose passion and dedication create unforgettable experiences.”

Fred’s Ultimate Hotels is due to air on Channel 4 later this year.