First Dates returns with a brand new episode airing on Channel 4 on Monday night. First off we meet 41-year-old wedding photographer Marc, who, despite capturing the picture-perfect moments of others’ love stories, is yet to find his own happily ever after. He has been carefully matched with 40-year-old graphic designer Louise, who playfully refers to herself as “The Warmer Upper” due to a unique pattern in her dating history—her exes tend to quickly marry someone else after dating her!
Debbie, a 47-year-old pharmacy assistant from Wales, leads a double life as a rock/pop singer by night. While she meets plenty of potential suitors at her gigs, the issue lies in them being a bit too inebriated to be taken seriously. Her date for the evening is 42-year-old Jonny, who is seeking a meaningful connection and is tired of being politely rejected with the “you’re lovely but…” line.
The episode also features Clayton, a 55-year-old divorced father who is re-entering the dating scene. In an effort to enhance his appeal, Clayton is growing his beard to emulate the stylish Idris Elba. He also strategically hides the fact that he is a grandfather, expressing his desire to find a “confident female.” Enter Bunmi, a 40-year-old Nigerian-born business analyst who has been described as “unapproachable” but is now ready to open herself up to new possibilities. Clayton and Bunmi instantly connect as they bond over their past relationships and their newfound sense of confidence.
20-year-old Josh, a former youth Olympic trampolinist from Essex, has a unique concern—he worries that his red hair may be a niche market in the dating world. He is paired with 22-year-old marketing manager Bethany, who has her own ginger classification scale, ranging from average to the extremely attractive Prince Harry and Greg Rutherford types. As their date progresses, Josh feels comfortable enough to share a tragic loss he has experienced, leaving viewers wondering if this vulnerability will lead to a romantic connection.
First Dates Season 20, Episode 5 airs Monday, 26 August 2024, at 11:05 PM on Channel 4.
