First Dates returns to Channel 4 tonight with more hopeful singles looking for love
One First Dates star opened up on her incurable condition that left her living in fear of illness.
A First Dates star was informed she wouldn’t survive beyond the age of 16 following a diagnosis with an “isolating condition”.
The BAFTA-winning dating programme is scheduled to return for a brand new series tonight (Friday, 10th April), tracking singletons searching for romance as they embark on their first date at an upmarket restaurant in Bath.
Making its comeback to Channel 4 with its opening episode tonight at 10pm, the optimistic singles remain unaware of who their prospective match might be as they meet for the first time at the restaurant, overseen by French maître d’ Fred Sirieix and his team.
Featuring awkward encounters and flourishing romantic connections, the programme has become enormously popular with audiences since it initially premiered in 2013.
This evening’s episode will feature a yoga teacher meeting a mindfulness coach, alongside a former Lioness turned firefighter, reports OK!.
A synopsis states: “First Dates returns with a brand new series as Fred and the team match hopeful singles looking for love. From a yoga Instructor and a mindfulness coach navigating an age gap to a returning dater hoping for a better chance, sparks are flying.”
It continues: “A former lioness meets a cat lover, and a doctor faces her nerves with a self confessed geek searching for the one.”
During the episode, one First Dates star revealed details about a degenerative condition which led her parents to be told she wouldn’t survive past 16. Briefly pausing her date, 27 year old Nicole from East Sussex informed 24 year old Matthew she needed to take some medication before revealing: “I actually have cystic fibrosis. It’s a life long condition, you’re born with it, there’s no cure.”
Nicole continued to explain she had been a healthy child until the age of seven before experiencing a chest infection that persisted for three years, while being admitted to hospital every three months.
Characterising it as an “isolating condition”, the 27 year old said she would consume 30 tablets daily, living with the anxiety of contracting an illness.
Speaking to producers, the First Dates star revealed: “My parents were told that I would only live until I was 16. I think I have mentally blocked it out as a way of coping.”
Nevertheless, in encouraging news, Nicole shared with her date: “In 2020 this brand new modulator therapy came about and it was a big turning point to me, touch wood I have been pretty well ever since. Last year I started paying into a pension.”
Meanwhile, one Lioness-turned-firefighter became emotional during her date. Abbie, 32, from Manchester, was matched with 27 year old dental nurse Charlotte as they quickly began discussing their professions.
Abbie disclosed she had been a firefighter for one year, but previously had been a footballer for Manchester City, Manchester United and Leicester – even representing England.
However, she became tearful as she revealed that a tragic accident, which resulted in her breaking her leg, marked the end of her football career. She confided to producers: “It ended my career, which was heartbreaking. I’m going to get upset now… sorry.”
First Dates returns to Channel 4 tonight at 10pm.
