First Dates restaurant has finally reopened six months after coronavirus shutdown as show relocates to Manchester
FRED Sirieix has revealed that the First Dates restaurant has finally reopened six months after the coronavirus shutdown as it relocates to Manchester.
The Channel 4 maitre d’, 48, announced the exciting news on Instagram, saying that the team are “more determined than ever to make love happen”.
The matchmaker said: “So happy and excited to let you know that after 6 months of forced closure due to #covid19 we have finally re-opened the First Dates restaurant.”
Fred is considered a real-life Cupid thanks to his role as maître d’ and matchmaker on Channel 4's First Dates and First Dates Hotel.
The French charmer added: “We are back in business and more determined than ever to make love ❤ happen.
“Today it’s all about young love and a special #teen series #ohlala @channel4 @e4grams @firstdates.”
Fans were quick to comment, one said: “I knew it was back, I love First Dates.”
Another wrote: “That’s amazing news!! Love it.”
A third shared: “I could do with a professional matchmaker, can’t wait for the new series.”
The dating show relocated to Manchester in March before lockdown, but production was brought to a halt amid the coronavirus.
The show began filming at Spinningfields restaurant The Refinery for its 16th series.
The First Dates restaurant first threw opened its doors in 2013 to help single people looking for love.
The swanky Paternoster Chop House at St Paul's has been serving up helpings of romance for the past seven years, but bosses decided to ditch the popular restaurant and move the show up north.
A show spokesman confirmed the move earlier this year, they said: “Fred will be joined by some of the existing First Dates team at the new restaurant in Manchester, and there’ll be some new faces from the local area.”
Leanne Klein, managing director of production company Twenty Twenty, added: “We are very excited to be taking our flagship dating series to the regions.
"With the move of the First Dates restaurant we will have the chance to expose our daters to a brand new experience with a few exciting new tweaks to the much loved format.”
The series will be a very different as social distancing measures remain in place - meaning no smooches or cuddles just yet.
The new series hopes to see some familiar faces back on our screens with lovable waitress Cici Coleman.
Earlier this year, the Cici shared an Instragram confirming that she was Manchester-bound for filming, she wrote: “Manc bound, what you saying?”
The real-life Cupid also opened up about his own romance and recent engagement.
Fred proposed to his girlfriend in lockdown at their home in Peckham, calling it "perfect".
He said: "The main thing the only thing is I did not get a ring but I've managed to do it now we are out of lockdown, and she is very happy, so all is well."
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The telly fave opened up about meeting his fiancée on the street – a mystery woman he calls “Fruitcake”.
He added: “It was so beautiful. When I saw her I fell in love and she smiled because she knew. We went for a drink and we were all over each other.”