When is First Dates on Channel 4 tonight, who is maitre d’ Fred Sirieix and how does the dating show work?
FIRST Dates continues tonight - so brace yourself for an endless amount of awkward moments and painful conversations while the staff try to stifle their laughter.
Yes, the original (not the American, celebrity or hotel version) is back tonight on Channel 4 for a bit more matchmaking...
When is First Dates on Channel 4?
The thirteenth episode of First Dates airs tonight (Monday, 18 December) at 10pm on Channel 4.
This is the ninth series of the popular dating show.
Tonight's episode goes head-to-head with the News at Ten on BBC One, The League Of Gentlemen on BBC Two and News at Ten on ITV.
Where is the First Dates restaurant?
You’ll be pleased to know that the venue is very real and, yes, you can dine there.
The show is filmed at the very swanky in central London, next to St Paul’s Cathedral at 1 Warwick Court, Paternoster Square.
Starters are between £6 and £11, while mains are about £17 to £35.
When the restaurant’s not shut for filming you can book in to recreate your own awkward First Date if you wish.
You won't however, get to be served by the popular waiters and waitresses from the show - CiCi, Sam, Laura, Austin and Merlin all have other jobs when they are not filming for the show.
more first dates gossip
Who is the First Dates maître d’ Fred Sirieix?
French-born Fred is best known as the loveable maître d’ on First Dates.
The 45-year-old was born and brought up in Limogues in western France and from an early age decided he wanted to work in the service industry.
He attended catering college and initially trained as a chef but decided to focus on being front of house.
He trained as a maître d’ at a Michelin-starred restaurant in France before moving to London.
Fred then worked at La Tante Claire in Chelsea and also spent time at Le Gavroche in Mayfair, Satario and Brasserie Roux.
As well as being the much-loved maître d’ in the First Dates restaurant, he is also the general manager at Galvin at Windows – a Michelin-starred French haute cuisine restaurant located on the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane.
The First Dates Game: Out now! What happens when you date your mates? Find out at