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A First Dates participant recently revealed she suffered from crippling anxiety on the show, to the point where Merlin Griffiths had to step in.
The Channel 4 dating show returned to screens on Tuesday with a fresh batch of singletons hoping to find love at the famous restaurant.
And previous contestant Annabelle Gauntlett, who was just 18 at the time of filming, has now lifted the lid on what the dating programme is like behind-the-scenes.
Annabelle originally applied for First Dates as a joke and didn’t expect to get a call for an interview with the show’s bosses in Manchester.
She told the Inverness Courier: 'For over two hours a team of television producers questioned me about my personality and non-existent love life. Bearing in mind my episode was filmed during Covid times, I never expected to actually make the cast list.'
A First Dates participant recently revealed she suffered from crippling anxiety on the show to the point where Merlin Griffiths had to step in
The Channel 4 dating show returned to screens on Tuesday with a fresh batch of singletons and previous contestant Annabelle Gauntlett, who was 18 at the time of filming, has now lifted the lid on what the dating programme is like behind-the-scenes
Following the interview, Annabelle had a session with a psychiatrist to ensure she was mentally and physically well enough to appear on TV, and after ticking all the boxes, they found her a match.
She continued: 'As I made my way back up to Manchester to visit the official First Dates restaurant, I couldn’t quite believe what I was doing.
'I was crippled with anxiety as I waited in anticipation for the camera crew to attach my mic.'
When Annabelle walked into the iconic restaurant, she was greeted by Fred Sirieix, 52, the host of the show.
Fortunately bartender Merlin Griffiths picked up on her nerves and managed to get her to relax before meeting her date.
She said: 'He took me to the bar, and I began to have a pleasant chat with Merlin, the bartender and we laughed about my hometown.'
Annabelle was then introduced to her blind date - Charlie from North London - and she quickly forgot about all of the cameras and proceeded to enjoy her date.
Annabelle stressed that the show isn't heavily managed or scripted and instead the meals pan out organically- something she hadn't expected.
'While people might expect the set to be staged and cameras to be floating around the table, it is actually quite the opposite. On the show you are left to your own devices, just like a normal date,' she noted.
Annabelle also revealed that the bill is paid in full by the cast.
'At the end of the date, which flew by, came the bill, which was in fact paid by the cast and after some debate, Charlie paid,' she added.
At the end of their date, both agreed that they wanted to see each other again and headed back to the hotel they had been put up in for the night to share a few drinks.
When Annabelle walked into the iconic restaurant, she was greeted by Fred Sirieix, 52, and was promptly seated at the bar where she had a pleasant chat with Merlin Griffiths, 49, the bartender
She then met her blind date - Charlie from North London - and quickly forgot about all of the cameras and proceeded to enjoy herself
However, Annabelle and Charlie chose to not continue their romance as he continued working as a chef in London and Annabelle moved to Scotland to pursue a career in journalism
However, Annabelle and Charlie chose to not continue their romance as he continued working as a chef in London with antisocial hours, while Annabelle moved to Scotland to pursue a career in journalism.
The comments comes after First Dates viewers were left 'sobbing' earlier this year at an elderly couple who appeared on the show looking for love.
Army veteran Ronald, 90, from Kent, bizarrely won a legion of fans following the show's 'Be My Valentine' special which aired in February.
Among the hearts he stole was Iris's, a 91-year-old widow who was in search of a long-time partner and Ronald wasted no time using his charm to woo her.
His smooth ways - including serenading Iris with a Frank Sinatra song - weren't unnoticed by viewers who took to X to praise the adorable pair, with many saying that their unlikely love story had made them 'emotional'.
Before heading on a date with Iris, Ronald - who was once married for 40 years - sadly revealed: 'Being here probably is my last chance.'
It comes after First Date viewers were left 'sobbing' earlier this year at an elderly couple who appeared on the show looking for love (Pictured: Ronald, 91, plants a kiss on his date's hand)
Iris (pictured), a 91-year-old widow from Surrey, was wooed by Ronald's charms
He then added: 'If she's young at heart, she can have my heart.'
Meanwhile, Iris, a widow from Surrey, confessed to viewers: 'I'm always up for a little bit of romance but it never seems to happen.'
'They can be old and decrepit but they don't have to show it all the time.'
The budding couple met at a restaurant for dinner and it was clearly love at first sight.
The budding couple met at a restaurant for dinner and it was clearly love at first sight
